Gamelan at Work in School

Gamelan as a whole class music activity is a powerful experience. The emphasis is on working together as a group, developing listening skills and improving co-ordination. It is accessible for all ages and abilities giving pupils a huge sense of achievement as they experience playing in an orchestra.

Playing traditional Javanese instruments can help to support composition work and introduces the pentatonic scale. Additional skills promoted through playing Gamelan include mental and physical dexterity, communication and team-working.

The instruments are stunningly beautiful and have a presence and resonance that is difficult to describe.

The Gamelan at Work in School workshops can accommodate class sizes of up to 30 pupils with some pupils sharing instruments.

At Key Stages 1 and 2 the Gamelan can act as a stimulus for topic work bringing in Geography, Maths, PSHE, Language, RE and Art & Design.