Author: Rolice Y.

As we gathered at 9AM in the morning today, we broke out into small groups to learn different instruments, and I continued to work with Dewa on the kendang. Dewa is very vigorous and joyous when he plays the drums. He continued to teach me about the philosophies of a kendang drummer and how we…

Today, we witnessed the cremation of a very important member of the village that recently passed away. As I walked out to the village center at noon I encountered a procession of villagers, a giant wooden horse, the priest, the gamelan band, and a box holding the body of the person that passed away. The…

In the gamelan instructions this morning, we continued learning instruments of our own interests in small breakout groups. I have decided yesterday that I am to learn the kendang — the drums — of the piece Genggongan so Tom and I can continue playing the drum parts for the gamelan when we go back to…