ENS 197: Gamelan Gita Semara - I Nyoman Suadin
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Gamelan Gita Semara is an instrumental ensemble from Bali, Indonesia consisting of metallic barred instruments, gongs, bronze pots, drums, cymbals, and flutes. The ensemble is open to any interested Gettysburg College student, regardless of major. The course is designed for beginning as well as experienced musicians. Music is learned without notation and taught through an aural transmission process. Each semester, the ensemble performs programs of traditional and contemporary Balinese music on campus and at venues throughout the region. Faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to participate. There are no auditions. Two hours of rehearsal weekly. Graded A-F. Offered each semester. 0.25 course credit.
COURSE AIMS
1. Explore your personal experiences, assumptions, predispositions, beliefs, and identities about teaching, learning, and performing music.
2. Acquire knowledge of and fluency in the basic techniques for playing music on instruments from Bali, Indonesia
3. Acquire and apply knowledge of Balinese performance practice.
4. Acquire knowledge of Balinese culture and how it is reflected within the musical practices of Balinese gamelan.
5. Develop an increased awareness of rhythm, meter, melody, intonation, form, tempo, and dynamics.
6. Compare and contrast Balinese musical and cultural practices (including transmission and performance) with practices experienced from one's own culture.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What are ways in which music is transmitted and performed?
How were these ways developed and for what purposes?
How is culture reflected in/through musical works and performance?
How do our definitions and understandings of musical concepts like intonation, melody, form, texture, tempo, dynamics, etc. change when engaging with musical practices outside Western traditions?
Gamelan Gita Semara is an instrumental ensemble from Bali, Indonesia consisting of metallic barred instruments, gongs, bronze pots, drums, cymbals, and flutes. The ensemble is open to any interested Gettysburg College student, regardless of major. The course is designed for beginning as well as experienced musicians. Music is learned without notation and taught through an aural transmission process. Each semester, the ensemble performs programs of traditional and contemporary Balinese music on campus and at venues throughout the region. Faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to participate. There are no auditions. Two hours of rehearsal weekly. Graded A-F. Offered each semester. 0.25 course credit.
COURSE AIMS
1. Explore your personal experiences, assumptions, predispositions, beliefs, and identities about teaching, learning, and performing music.
2. Acquire knowledge of and fluency in the basic techniques for playing music on instruments from Bali, Indonesia
3. Acquire and apply knowledge of Balinese performance practice.
4. Acquire knowledge of Balinese culture and how it is reflected within the musical practices of Balinese gamelan.
5. Develop an increased awareness of rhythm, meter, melody, intonation, form, tempo, and dynamics.
6. Compare and contrast Balinese musical and cultural practices (including transmission and performance) with practices experienced from one's own culture.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What are ways in which music is transmitted and performed?
How were these ways developed and for what purposes?
How is culture reflected in/through musical works and performance?
How do our definitions and understandings of musical concepts like intonation, melody, form, texture, tempo, dynamics, etc. change when engaging with musical practices outside Western traditions?