Balinese Gamelan

Balinese Gamelan Contact:
I Made Lasmawan - Packard 137; ext. 6811 or 550-1231

Rehearsals:
Monday and Wednesday: 3:30-5:30 PM (Packard 8)

The gamelan balaganjur, gamelan angklung, gamelan suling gambuh, gamelan joged bumbung, and gamelan gender wayang are different kinds of musical ensembles from the island of Bali, a province in the Republic of Indonesia. The ensembles include bronze percussion instruments such as xylophones, gongs, and cymbals, as well as drums and bamboo flutes. Each of these ensembles features a separate scale and tuning system. In addition, each pair of melody instruments is tuned slightly apart in order to create the acoustical beats that give Balinese music its unique sound. Balinese people perform each of these ensembles to accompany specific sacred rituals as well as for secular entertainments. Gamelan balaganjur, a marching band, accompanies outdoor processionals as part of temple ceremonials and life cycle rituals; today balaganjur competitions are also immensely popular. Gamelan angklung figures prominently in village temple festivals and can accompany dance. Gamelan suling gambuh accompanies an ancient genre of dance drama that Balinese people continue to appreciate. Gamelan joged bumbung employs bamboo xylophones to accompany a modern participatory social dance enjoyed by Balinese people of all ages. Gamelan gender wayang can be used in cremation ceremonies or to accompany shadow puppet theater, another ancient genre.

The Balinese music and dance program at Colorado College was founded in 1993 by Victoria Levine, Professor of Ethnomusicology, who invited I Made Lasmawan to join our faculty that same year. The two have worked together since then to teach hundreds of CC students about Balinese performing arts and cultural traditions. Ni Ketut Marni joined us in 1997 as our Balinese dance instructor.