Gamelan music

One of the world’s most ancient and sophisticated musical traditions, gamelan music creates a multilayered tapestry of interlocking melodies and rhythms. Performed on bronze gongs, xylophones, drums, stringed instruments, flutes, and voices, gamelan music has distinctive qualities that make it ideal for a community music ensemble.

Accessible

Gamelan’s rich textures and memorable melodies are instantly appealing and enjoyable even to those unfamiliar with the music. At performances, members often invite the audience to play the instruments, and many, including children, do so with delight.

Cooperative

By its nature, gamelan is community music - players must listen carefully and respond to each other in a generous and unselfish way in order for the music to be realized. All players are equally important to the group.

Gamelan Sari Pandhawa welcomes collaborations with other musicians. Our performances often include players from other Northwest gamelans, as well as Eugene classical musicians. The group is also dedicated to new music, and has worked with and performed music by contemporary composers who write for gamelan, including renowned American composer Lou Harrison.

Multi-cultural

Gamelan Sari Pandhawa strives for a deep understanding of gamelan’s cultural and historical context. Our teacher, Lewis & Clark College music professor Widiyanto, is an 11th-generation Javanese dalang (master musician and puppet master) who transmits to Americans the ancient yet living tradition of this venerable art form. Members of the group are experienced in performing with instruments from other world music traditions (balafon, koto, marimba, kora) as well as Western music, and have used those instruments with the gamelan.

Multi-disciplinary

Gamelan Sari Pandhawa welcomes collaborations with community artists in poetry, dance, theater, art, video, and other media. Our musicians have accompanied dance performances, shadow puppet plays (wayang kulit), art exhibitions, and theatrical works.