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Gamelan

What is Gamelan? • Why learn Gamelan? • Our Gamelan Teacher • Gamelan Workshops

What is Gamelan?

Gamelan is an ensemble of metal percussion instruments from Indonesia. The gongs, metallophones and chimes of the Berkshire Maestros gamelan were hand-crafted in central Java using bronze, brass and iron, and set on hand-carved wooden frames. The sound of the instruments is immediately captivating.

During the past fifteen years or so, there has been a gradual realisation in Britain of the potential gamelan has as a context for music education at all levels. Gamelans have been bought by cultural centres, conservatories, universities, local education authorities, community centres, even individual schools. At last count, there were some 36 Javanese gamelans in the country, used to support a variety of educational programmes touching people of all walks of life.
Image of Gamelan Workshop
© TES

"A firm but warm approach that engaged the children. They loved it."
Mrs. R. Birch, Binfield C.E. Primary School

Image of Gamelan Workshop
© Atlantic College

Why learn Gamelan?

Gamelan is an excellent tool for music education. Anyone can play the gamelan. The simplicity of the playing technique required to start off on the gamelan makes these instruments almost instantly accessible by children and adults of all levels of musical experience. And the emphasis which Javanese music places on ensemble skills, listening and singing enriches all other areas of music-making.

Traditional Javanese music is one of the great artistic traditions of the world and is immediately appealing. Yet the instruments provide innumerable fruitful possibilities for the creation of new music.

"Excellent teaching, with clear goals, instruction and targets."
Dr. M. Sachania, The Brigidine School, Windsor

Our Gamelan Teacher

Nikhil Dally has been teaching gamelan for some fifteen years now. He studied intensively for a year at the Academy of Fine Arts (STSI) in Surakarta, central Java. Since 1990 he has been one of the gamelan teachers for the Music Education Department of the South Bank Centre in London. He performs regularly with the South Bank Gamelan Players. Since 1996 he has run the gamelan programme for Hertfordshire County Music Service, and since 1999, for Berkshire Maestros.

Image of Nikhil Dally, Gamelan Co-ordinator

There are many ways you can learn about Gamelan:

Image of Gamelan Workshop
© Atlantic College

Gamelan workshops at Berkshire Maestros, Reading Music Centre

We offer hands-on workshops for schools groups, aimed at teaching your group to internalise and play a simple Javanese piece on the gamelan. No previous knowledge or experience is required, merely a willingness to work very hard and to co-operate musically with each other. These workshops are suitable for any children from school year two upwards, to adults. Special needs groups are most welcome. The length of the workshop will depend upon the age of the group and any special needs but will not exceed two hours.
The optimum number of participants in a group is 15. The absolute maximum (including all staff) is 21. The minimum is 12, except for certain special needs groups.

Gamelan Courses

We offer a variety of on-going courses for both children and adults interested in learning about gamelan in greater depth.

Gamelan Residencies

If you are a school or LEA and are interested in hosting a medium-term gamelan residency it may be able to come to you!

Image of Gamelan Workshop
© Photozaki.com
Image of Gamelan Workshop
© Photozaki.com

If you would like further information about any of the above please contact Nikhil Dally:

Tel: 01784 453347

Email: nikhil@dally.org.uk