JAVANESE MUSIC AND DANCE ENSEMBLE
Roger Vetter, music director; Val Vetter, dance director
Learn experientially about the arts of Central Javanese karawitan
(music) and beksan (dance) through involvement in this
(1 credit) ensemble.
The rudiments of the Central Javanese music tradition are taught
on an authentic
gamelan originating from the court city of Yogyakarta on the
island of Java, Indonesia. A gamelan is a large, predominantly
percussion, orchestra that is used to perform music for listening
pleasure and to accompany dance and various forms of dance and
puppet theatre. The varied instrumentation of the gamelan provides
a student with numerous levels of challenge, and many members
of the ensemble remain involved in the study of this music over
several semesters. The college also possesses a small
bronze gamelan that is occasionally performed.
Javanese gamelan music and dance are highly integrated, and Grinnell
is one of the few places outside of Java where both are regularly
taught. The highly controlled and codified movements of Javanese
dance offer interested students a whole new perspective on the
art of dance. Musicians and dancers in the ensemble stage one
on-campus performance per semester and are occasionally invited
off-campus to perform.
No previous musical or dance experience is required for enrollment
in this ensemble.
View pictures from the Spring
2004 concert.
Listen to the Spring 2004 concert:
Gamelan Medley:
PAK SUSILO SUITE
Gamelan Medley
Dance Drama: THE RESCUE
OF SITA
Spring semester '03 dancers following their performance
of the dance drama Senggana Obong.
Spring semester '03 gamelan musicians.
The Grinnell College bronze gamelan being played in the Bucksbaum
rotunda to welcome audience members to the ensemble's May 3, 2003,
concert.
