By Gina Jeong 25′
When I was a freshman, which was when I had just arrived in the US specifically in Colorado Springs, I quickly learned that the city does not have good Asian restaurants. Hence shortly after my class with Pak in Block 6, I joined the ensemble because Ibu – CC’s Balinese dance instructor and Pak’s wife – cooks amazing Balinese food, every time we perform at Music at Midday. Since then, I have been part of CC’s Gamelan Ensemble – Gamelan Tunjung Sari – until now, my last senior semester at CC. Gamelan has been very special for me, for it created a homely space, a human environment, and fun rehearsals. Although not all songs were easy to pick up, and there would be days when Pak would give me the ‘glare,’ it was always worth all the time put into practice when our show was over. Without a doubt, it is insurmountable luck for everybody at CC to experience Gamelan, music that is all the way from the other side of the planet, directed by one of the best Gamelan artists from Bali. I intend to write and share this piece in gratitude to Balinese Gamelan, and Pak Made Lasmawan, the director of Gamelan Ensemble at CC.
Pak has been teaching Gamelan at CC since 1992. Back in the old days, there were only two Gamelan ensembles in the Southwest confined to Colorado only. Today, he has increased the number to 25, across five states. According to him, teaching Americans has been challenge since they are not acquainted to the tuning and basic techniques as Balinese would. Most teachings start from zero, needing to provide a lot of introduction before playing any piece. To him, teaching at CC has been a very supportive environment, created by the Music, Arts, Dance, Theater, Asian Studies departments and Summer Program. The students have also been a meaningful experience to him, as they have always been excited to learn Indonesian culture and play Gamelan with full dedication. He defines Balinese Gamelan to be ‘universal music that is given by the God for everybody.’ As a dedicated Gamelan player myself, I can’t agree more with his definition. Gamelan at CC and also at Bali has always been a space for everyone, welcoming anyone.
My fellow senior Gamelan players who have been part of the ensemble for many years share similar thoughts and feelings as me towards Gamelan. Sam Yolles, Music major and all-rounded player (he can pretty much take over any instrument in the ensemble) has said:
“Gamelan Tunjung Sari (GTS) has been one of the major constants in my undergraduate experience: weekly rehearsals, opportunities to perform, connecting with other students and meeting new ones as the years progress, meals with the group at Pak’s house (with Kopi!), and of course Pak and Ibu. As I have become more experienced and gained a greater level of understanding by continuing with GTS, playing with groups like Gamelan Tunas Mekar in Denver, and researching gamelan composition in Bali, I have been able to take a larger role in the group to help with parts and fill-in on instruments in rehearsal and performance when we do not have enough players. I am glad to share what I have learned with the younger members of the group as we pass it off to them for another thirty-plus years.”
Aurora Wang, our best sangsih player, and my fellow player since our freshman year has said:
“Gamelan helped me grow as a musician and nurtured me as a person. Musically, it greatly improved my listening skills, which is crucial to ensemble work and compositions, not to mention that it taught me so much about this unique music genre (gamelan). At a personal level, it provided me with a supportive space where I can feel that I belong, which is crucial for me as an international student. All members who commit to the ensemble are open-minded people who respect other cultures. And to me, CC Gamelan is one of the few places where I do not have to constantly worry about being judged because of my Chinese international student/ Asian identity. “
Echoing Aurora, I agree with the sentiment of belonging and acceptance as a Korean international student at CC. There is a kind of magic that Pak is able to create in his teaching space, which is to really break down the walls we have formed due to our identity and background.
There is a special technique called kotekan in Gamelan. Two independent parts, polos – often on beat – and sangsih – often off beat – are interlocked together to create one piece of music. The harmony of the rhythm when the performers nail it, is indescribable. Hence Gamelan reminds me that there is harmony that we can create with effort. Many of us have our own ways of sharing love or bringing power to diverse voices. Certainly Gamelan is a space for it at CC. On this note, I invite you to come play with us, come laugh with us, and come eat with us. You can always find us practicing on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00. We also perform at every Music at Midday. I truly hope that the joy of Gamelan continues for as long as it can at CC.