WikiLists
Advertisement

More than 100 gamelan groups are in the United States (U.S.). The earliest appearance of a gamelan in the U.S. is considered to be at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893; this set of instruments is still at the Chicago Field Museum. The first academic program to include the playing of gamelan was established by Mantle Hood at UCLA in 1958.

Actively performing gamelan groups are in roughly two thirds of the states, using instruments made in the Indonesian regions of Java, Bali, Sunda (West Java), Banyumas, and/or North America. Many schools, universities and other institutions in North America own sets of gamelan instruments, and there are increasing numbers of community-based ensembles as well.

List by State[]

State City Name Instruments Repertoire Notes
Alabama Auburn Auburn University Gamelan Cirebon set from 1930s American percussion, some Balinese percussion; some Balinese Auburn University ensemble
Arizona Tempe Arizona State University Gamelan Javanese slendro/pelog, bronze Traditional Central Javanese Arizona State University School of Music ensemble.[1]
Tucson Fine Stream Gamelan Javanese, Sundanese Degung, Balinese Gong Kebyar--Iron/brass Banyumas Calung - Bamboo Traditional, some American compositions. Also regional styles including Banyumas, Semarang, and Angklung Banyuwangi Community group[2]
California Arcata Sekar Sequoia Javanese gamelan gadhon, bronze, pelog Traditional Solonese Gadhon
Berkeley Sari Raras / Kyai Udan Mas (Venerable Golden Rain) Javanese Traditional Joint UC Berkeley and community ensemble.
Claremont Giri Kusuma (Flower Mountain) Balinese gamelan gong kebyar Traditional-instrumental and dance music from the kebyar and pelegongan repertoire Pomona College ensemble open to students, faculty, and members of the Claremont community.
Harvey Mudd American Gamelan American Tuned and adapted for new American music Harvey Mudd College[3]
Davis UC Davis Gamelan Ensemble Sundanese Gamelan Degung and Gamelan Salendro Traditional music of West Java Joint UC Davis and community ensemble.[4]
El Cerrito Sierra School Gamelan Balinese gong kebyar Traditional and student pieces student pieces Sierra Elementary School student ensemble
La Mesa Center for World Music Javanese gamelan and Balinese sets include: gender wayang, genggong, suling, gambang, gong kebyar, semar pegulingan. Traditional [5]
La Verne Gong Kyai Pramugari Laras Pelog (complete), Bronze (Pak Kuat), from private collection of Craig Rowe (Dir.). Solonese klenengan Ensemble members are often drawn from Cal Arts, UCLA, various other institutions and the Indonesian community. Ensemble was named by and dedicated to Bapak Djoko Waluyo.
Los Angeles Gamelan Kembang Atangi (Flower of Awakening) Balinese Angklung, 5-tone Traditional Angklung pieces and Kreasi in the Angklung Kebyar style Loyola Marymount University ensemble includes students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.
Gamelan Sekar Anyar (New Blossom - Balinese) and Kyai Mendhung (Venerable Dark Cloud - Javanese) Balinese gong kebyar and Javanese Traditional music and dance and occasionally new music and dance. UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology ensemble
Mission Hills Bali and Beyond / Udan Arum (sweetly scented rain) Balinese gender wayang, semar pegulingan, gamelan beleganjur(pelog), and Javanese gamelan gadon Traditional and contemporary music, shadow theatre and dance and dance [6]
Oakland Gamelan Sekar Jaya (Flowering Success) Balinese Gong Kebyar, Angklung, Gender Wayang, Joged, and Jegog Traditional and new music and dance by both Balinese and American artists
Mills College Gamelan Ensemble (Si Darius and Si Madeleine) Javanese-style American, aluminum, built by Lou Harrison and William Colvig Traditional and American new music
Gamelan-X (formerly Onepeoplevoice)[7] Traditional Balinese baleganjur, a 29 piece set of unique chromatic reyongs, drum set, synths, computer processing, trumpet, saxophone, flute, voice, and other instruments from around the world Original gamelan fusion, traditional processional baleganjur, and kecak. [8]
Richmond Gamelan Gadung Kasturi (Scent of the Gadung Flower) Balinese Traditional Balinese music and dance [9]
Riverside Gamelan Kyai Telaga Semu (Venerable Lake of Illusions) Javanese slendro and pelog (by Tentrem Sarwanto, Solo) Traditional and contemporary UC Riverside ensemble
San Anselmo Gamelan Marin (Adi Luhung) Javanese Traditional Community gamelan
San Diego Gamelan at San Diego State University Javanese Traditional
Kembang Sunda Sundanese degung Traditional
San Francisco ShadowLight Productions Gender wayang Balinese wayang kulit and new shadow theatre [10]
Gamelan Kori Mas (Golden Gate) Balinese bamboo grantangs (also called tingklik) and suling, Traditional Balinese Rindik and Joged music. Previously named "Gamelan Bamboo Bali"[11]
Gamelan Sekar Jaya - Bamboo Ensembles Jegog (West Bali bamboo ensemble). Traditional Balinese These ensembles are part of Gamelan Sekar Jaya (see Oakland) and the instruments reside at the School of the Arts High School (San Francisco) where they are used in the World Music class.[12]
San Jose Pusaka Sunda Sundanese degung and kecapi suling Traditional and contemporary [13]
Santa Barbara Gamelan Kyai Selamet Central Javanese Pelog, Slendro Central Javanese, Cirebon, West Java UC Santa Barbara ensemble
Gamelan Sinar Surya Cirebonese - slendro iron and Cirebonese iron pelog/degung combination Cirebon and Sunda pelog/slendro, degung and gong renteng; Malaysian Formerly Gamelan Northwest of Seattle[14]
Monkey C Javanese pelog American and varied rock covers mixed with traditional music [15]
Santa Cruz Gamelan Swarasanti Balinese angklung Traditional and new music for Balinese Angklung, especially new music by Balinese composers A joint ensemble of UC Santa Cruz and the community.[16]
Gamelan Anak Swarasanti (Child of Swarasanti) Balinese angklung and beleganjur Traditional and new music for Balinese Angklung and Beleganjur, including extended arrangements with electric accompaniment and treatments. A community-based gamelan.[17]
West Javanese (Sundanese) gamelan at UCSC Instruments include Sundanese slendro gamelan Galuh Pakuan, Sundanese gamelan degung Nyi Arum Bandung Traditional, Wayang golek.
Valencia Burat Wangi (Fragrant Offering - Balinese) and Kyai Dara Dasih (Javanese) Balinese Semar Pegulingan and Gamelan Gong Kebyar, and Central Javanese Traditional music and dance as well as New Music by American and Indonesian composers for both ensembles. California Institute of the Arts ensembles
Vallejo Gamelan Range of Light American, made of aluminum American/Central Javanese Played primarily by children and young adults for school productions and summer workshops.
Colorado Boulder Eka Mudra Balinese gong kebyar Traditional Naropa Institute gamelan ensemble
Colorado Springs Tunjung Sari Balinese Angklung Traditional
Denver Gamelan Tunas Mekar ("Tunas" means a stored bit of life force, such as a seed of a floral bud, and "Mekar" means to put forth. This name has given the group its sense of identity: a wayward seed, blown far from the parent plant and landing on unfamiliar soil that has nonetheless produced an amazing flower.) Balinese Angklung and Semara dana Traditional and new Balinese A subgroup of the ensemble is Gender Wayang quartet Catur Eka Santi.[18]
Connecticut Middletown Kyai Mentul (Venerable Bouncing) Javanese (a Jogjanese set dating from early part of century) Traditional music and dance Wesleyan University gamelan ensemble. A previous Javanese slendro set, Kyai Muntjar Basuki (Venerable Sparkling Fountain) is used for wayang. Instruments were made around 1964 for the World's Fair. Its pelog instruments are in use at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.
Delaware Newark Kyai Tlogo Beruang Perak (Venerable Lake of the Silver Bear) This American made gamelan was built by and directed by Professor Michael Zinn of University of Delaware. When Dr. Zinn retired, the gamelan went with him. There is currently no active gamelan at the university.
District of Columbia Washington, D.C. Javanese Ensemble of the Indonesian Embassy Javanese Traditional Community group
Gamelan Mitra Kusuma (Flowering Friendship) Balinese gamelan gong kebyar, gamelan angklung, and gender wayang Traditional Community group[19]
Florida Tallahassee Gamelan Hanuman Agung Balinese gong kebyar, beleganjur Traditional, new music by American and Canadian composers Florida State University ensemble
Georgia Atlanta Nyai Tentrem (Miss Peaceful) Javanese, slendro and Balinese gender wayang Traditional and modern Emory University ensemble
Hawaii Honolulu Kyai Gandrung (Javanese) and Segara Madu (Balinese) Javanese and Balinese Gong Kebyar Traditional University of Hawai'i Gamelan Ensemble. The ensemble has also begun performing kecak
Illinois Chicago Friends of the Gamelan (FROG) Sri Sedånå, Central Javanese bronze; Nyai Panjang Sari, Central Javanese iron Javanese and American Practices jointly with University of Chicago Central Javanese Performance Ensemble.[20]
Gamelan at the Consulate General of Indonesia Javanese bronze Traditional A new and large set of instruments.[21]
Central Javanese Gamelan Sri Sedana Traditional University of Chicago's Music Department. Oldest Gamelan group in the United States, playing since 1979.[22]
DeKalb Asian Music Ensemble Balinese angklung; Javanese, iron (Suhirjan) Traditional and new music Northern Illinois University ensemble
Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Gamelan Javanese bronze, Balinese gamelan kebyar, beleganjur, and angklung Traditional music and dance and new compositions University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ensemble
Iowa Grinnell Kyai Biwara (Venerable Messenger) Javanese, iron Traditional Javanese music and dance Grinnell College student ensemble
Maine Lewiston Mawar Mekar (Blossom of Inspiration) Central Javanese, iron with brass, built by Mulyadi in Solo, Java, 1997 Traditional and new Bates College ensemble (acquired in 2001)
Maryland Baltimore The Robert Macht Gamelan Ensemble Central Javanese, bronze, Slendro and Pelog. Traditional & contemporary American The ensemble also performs with the Kimberly Mackin dance company.
UMBC ensembles Balinese angklung; possibly some Javanese University of Maryland, Baltimore County ensembles
Boyds Gamelan Wrhatnala of Boyds Gong Kebyar, Gender Wayang, Joged Bumbung, Gong Suling, Tektekan, Genggong and Godogan Balinese traditional and new music and dance compositions Gamelan Wrhatnala of Boyds is the sister of Gamelan Sanggar Wrhatnala Pusat Abiantuwung in Bali. Both are directed by I.G.A. Ngurah Supartha, who is also a prominent choreographer, composer and puppeteer.[23]
Landover Art & Cultural Center of Indonesia (ACCI) Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese Since its operation in 1976, ACCI has three main departments: Indonesian Traditional Art of Music and Dance, Indonesian Authentic Shadow Puppet Theater, and Gallery of the Community Arts & Crafts.
Ellicott City Seka Genta Semara Balinese 5 or 7 tone —- a unique tuning by Wayan Beratha, 1983 Traditional semar pegulingan and angklung repertoire Genta Pinara Pitu has 11-key gangsa and a 14-kettle terompong. It permits 4-tone slendro, 5-tone slendro, 5-tone pelog, 6-tone pelog and 7-tone pelog.
Massachusetts Amherst Ensemble at Amherst College Javanese Traditional Amherst College ensemble
Sundanese Gamelan Sundanese Traditional Leveritt Craft Center
Boston / Medford Boston Village Gamelan and Tufts Gamelan Ensemble / Rinengga Sih Tentrem (Well-Made by Tentrem's Feeling of Friendship; Enhanced by Serenity)) Javanese, Rinengga Sih Tentrem (Solo, by Tentrem Sarwanto) Traditional Solonese court traditions The Boston Village Gamelan is now in residence at Tufts University, and rehearses together with the Tufts ensemble. It performs also occasionally on a 19th century Solonese set owned by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Kyai Jati Mulya.[24]
Cambridge Gamelan Galak Tika (Intense Togetherness) Balinese pelegongan, kebyar, gender wayang, Angklung Banyuwangi Traditional Balinese and American kreasi Massachusetts Institute of Technology ensemble[25]
Gamelan Si Betty (Named to honor arts patron Betty Freeman) Javanese style/American, extended range, aluminum (Lou Harrison, William Colvig) Traditional and contemporary in various styles; new works by group members and interested composers. Harvard University music department and community ensemble, directed by Jody Diamond.[26]
Northampton Kyai Muntjar Basuki (Venerable Sparkling Fountain) Javanese pelog (other half of set on loan from Wesleyan University) Traditional Smith College ensemble
Worcester Gita Sari (Essence of Song) Balinese Gong Kebyar Traditional and contemporary College of the Holy Cross ensemble
Michigan Ann Arbor Kyai Telega Madu (Venerable Lake of Honey) central Javanese Traditional University of Michigan ensemble[27]
Minnesota Minneapolis/St. Paul St. Cloud: No longer active. The Schubert Club instruments are now housed in the Landmark Center, St. Paul
Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble "Kyai Medharing Madu" (Venerable Flowering Honey); made by Tentrem Sarwanto of Solo, owned by The Schubert Club. An iron pelog set made by Pak Mulyadi of Solo, owned by The Schubert Club, used for school residencies. "Kyai Kumbul", privately owned. Javanese traditional (Solonese), also contemporary. [28]
Winona Winona Gamelan Ensemble at Winona State University Javanese. Bronze pelog / slendro made in Solo by Pak Raharjo, "Sumber Gongso" Traditional Winona State University ensemble in partnership with the Schubert Club of Saint Paul (loan of instruments made by John and Ferry Banks). A community/university ensemble.
Missouri Kansas City Gamelan Genta Kasturi (Ensemble of Blossoming Sound) Balinese Semaradhana Traditional Balinese and new compositions Located at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. A course in the conservatory and an active community group.
Nebraska Omaha Son of the Good Earth Javanese, iron (Suhirjan) and Balinese gender wayang Traditional Javanese and contemporary Western Located at Creighton University. A community ensemble.
New Hampshire Hanover Gamelan Lipur Sih (Comforting Your Loved Ones) Javanese bronze gadhon with kenong and extended range saron (by Tentrem Sarwanto) Traditional and contemporary Located at Dartmouth College[29]
Lebanon Gamelan Sleeping Fox Balinese Gamelan Angklung Traditional Location: private home, community group[30]
Gamelan Diamond Bridge Javanese style, aluminum and stained particle board (by Daniel Schmidt) Traditional and contemporary Location: used for residencies at various schools in the area, lasting from one week to four months
New Mexico Albuquerque Gamelan Encantada American - Javanese (Barbara Benary), iron Balinese selonding Traditional Javanese music and American new music Iron-keyed gamelan selonding instruments are from the village of Tenganan, Bali. Gamelan Encantada is rolled steel, slendro and pelog, with gongs, drums, and suling from Java.[31]
Santa Fe CSF Gamelan Ni Giwang: Cirebonese slendro, bronze (iron gong agung) Central Java and Sunda College of Santa Fe student ensemble and community classes and lecture workshops.[32]
New York Annandale-on-Hudson Hudson Valley Gamelan Ensemble comprising Gamelan Giri Mekar, Gamelan Chandra Kanchana, and the Bard Gender Consort Balinese gong kebyar, gender wayang Primarily traditional Gamelan Giri Mekar, a community ensemble originally of Woodstock, NY, is now in residence across the river at Bard College. Gamelan Chandra Kanchana is primarily composed of Bard students but also has some faculty and Giri Mekar members.
Bronxville Gamelan Chandra Buana Balinese gamelan angklung Traditional Sarah Lawrence College student and community ensemble.
Ithaca Cornell Gamelan Ensemble Javanese, Balinese Traditional, Cirebon and Sundanese, Traditional Angklung Cornell University ensemble
New York City Gamelan Son of Lion American - Javanese, iron American and other new music Gamelan Son of Lion presents new music concerts in New York City and downstate New York counties. A subsidiary group, Rockland Angklung Society, plays Balinese and American pieces for gamelan angklung and is based in Rockland County, 30 min. NW of the city.
Dharmaswara Balinese Gong Kebyar, Semara Dana Traditional Located at the Indonesian Consulate[33]
Gamelan Kusuma Laras Javanese Traditional Gamelan Kusuma Laras was founded in 1983. The group consists of American and Indonesian players and rehearses on instruments owned by the New York Indonesian Consulate.[34]
Gamelan Giri Kusuma (Flower Mountain) Balinese Angklung, bronze Traditional and contemporary. City University of New York/Borough of Manhattan Community College ensemble
Northport Tamara and the Shadow Theatre of Java / Srikandi Gamelan Orchestra Javanese, iron Javanese wayang kulit with traditional style theatre music [35]
Rochester Gamelan Lila Muni (Heavenly Sound) Balinese angklung Traditional and contemporary contemporary University of Rochester Eastman School of Music ensemble[36]
Stony Point Rockland Angklung Society American - Balinese angklung, iron & bamboo Traditional and American
North Carolina Chapel Hill Gamelan Nyai Saraswati Javanese slendro and pelog (bronze) Traditional and not-so-traditional. Located at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A group specializing in Central Javanese repertoire whose members come from both the university and the community at large.[37]
Cullowhee Gamelan Kyai Tatit Ratri Javanese slendro (iron); Sundanese degung (iron), Sundanese degung (bronze) and Balinese angklung (bronze). Traditional and some experimental. Western Carolina University ensemble.
Ohio Bowling Green Sekaha Gong Kusuma Sari (Floral Essence Gamelan Club) Balinese gong kebyar Traditional, with some modern pieces such as those composed by David Harnish Bowling Green State University ensemble, directed by Kurt Doles; the director emeritus is David Harnish. The ensemble was founded 1990, replacing an earlier gamelan with a different name that had been established in 1980.
Oberlin Kyai Barleyan (Venerable Diamond) Javanese Traditional The Oberlin College gamelan was a slendro set from Malang, East Java, purchased in 1970. In 1984 a pelog set was custom built to match by a Yokya maker.
Granville Dwara Udyani (Doorway to the Mountain) Balinese Gamelan Angklung Traditional Denison University ensemble
Oregon Ashland Gamelan Degung Leuwi Asih iron degung from Bandung Sundanese Classical Degung, and contemporary American This iron degung set was purchased by Southern Oregon University in 1999 from Bandung and is housed at SOU.[38]
Eugene Gamelan Sari Pandhawa Javanese slendro and pelog (Solo, Pak Tentrem) Traditional and contemporary (Javanese and American) music. A non-profit organization providing opportunities for learning about Indonesian music and art. Performances also include wayang kulit, the shadow puppet theater.[39]
Kyai Tunjung Mulya (Noble Lotus Blossom) Central Javanese and Cirebon -- slendro/pelog extended range -- iron/brass/bronze by Suhirdjan in Yogya (1999). Traditional Central Javanese The University of Oregon School of Music.[40]
Pacific Rim Gamelan / Suranadi Sari Indra Putra Balinese kebyar (from Lombok) Also at the University of Oregon School of Music.
Portland Portland Gamelan Ensemble / Kyai Guntur Sari (gong name) / Kagok Laras (Venerable Showers of Beauty / A Different Song) Javanese Traditional, some American At Lewis and Clark College. Founded by Vincent McDermott in 1980
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh ensembles:
  • Iron City Gamelan
  • Kyai Tirta Rukmi (Venerable Rivers of Gold) - Javanese, iron, by Suhirdjan, 1995
  • Ligar Pasundan (The Spreading Fragrance of Pasundan) - Sundanese degung
Traditional The university formerly owned a set of Balinese angklung. Members of the ensemble also perform tembang Sunda. The Sundanese Gamelan Ensemble is run by the University of Pittsburgh music department during the regular school year, and directed by Andrew Weintraub. The university also owns a set of calung (bamboo tube xylophone). In summers the Balinese angklung gamelan is taught aboard a cruise ship as part of the Semester At Sea.[41][42]
Swarthmore Gamelan Semara Santi (in honor of Semar, the god of love, and Santi, the Sanskrit word for peace, to commemorate the peace-loving Quaker traditions of Swarthmore College) Gong kebyar with gender, by Pak Beratha, 1997 Balinese kebyar and pelegongan Swarthmore College ensemble.[43]
Lewisburg The Bucknell Gamelan Ensemble The Bucknell University Gamelan is a Javanese gamelan, which was donated anonymously. The ensemble was directed initially by S. Jackson Hill, until his retirement in 2007. The group is currently being led by Bethany J. Collier. [44]
Rhode Island Providence Brown University Gamelan Ensemble Balinese angklung, Javanese slendro/pelog (Tentrem Sarwanto) Traditional
Texas Austin Kyahi Rosowibowo Slendro and pelog, Built in Yogyakarta Established in 1998. University of Texas School of Music ensemble: (The Majestic One)[45]
Denton Percussion Department Gamelan American-Javanese slendro, aluminum (Schmidt) American North Texas State University School of Music ensemble
Houston Space City Gamelan / Gamelan Swara Dewa Javanese, bronze Traditional central Javanese and contemporary compositions for gamelan. [46]
Vermont Cabot Gamelan Singing Brook Javanese iron, brass and bronze (80 year old set supplemented with new instruments by Suhirdjan 2005) Javanese, Experimental, American The Cabot School is a preK-12 public school. Students in all grades use the instruments in a residency setting and/or a semester-long class.
Plainfield Plainfield Village Gamelan / Venerable Voice of Thoom American -Javanese, iron (Dennis Murphy) American & traditional This ensemble was the first American gamelan, which began at Goddard College in 1967 and became a community group in 1980. It is now located at Dennis Murphy's farm. It also uses a second iron set built by Dennis Murphy, Venerable Small Tiger.
Gamelan Sulukala Javanese iron, brass and bronze (Suhirjan) Javanese, Balinese, American, etc Goddard College ensemble.
Virginia Charlottesville Charlottesville Gamelan Javanese Traditional This is a community - university joint ensemble associated with University of Virginia.
Christiansburg Sweet River of Understanding Javanese, iron Traditional Played by students from Radford University, Virginia Tech, the Montgomery County Orff Ensemble, and community groups.[47]
Winchester Angklung gamelan group Balinese angklung (by Pak Berata) Traditional A community group affiliated with Shenandoah University.
Williamsburg The College of William and Mary Gamelan full slendro, Central Javanese and American The College of William and Mary gamelan ensemble started in 1999. The present set of slendro instruments were purchased by the college in 2004.
Washington Olympia Gamelan Degung Girijaya Sundanese gamelan degung Traditional degung Evergreen State College ensemble
Seattle Gamelan Pacifica Javanese iron & bronze in pelog and slendro (Suhirjan & Tentrem); Cirebonese slendro bronze (Tentrem) Traditional, with a focus on Central Javanese style; also modern and contemporary compositions from the international gamelan repertoire Cornish College of the Arts ensemble in residence; Gamelan Pacifica is a community group.[48]
Cornish Gamelan Ensemble Student group at Cornish College of the Arts that plays on the same instruments as Gamelan Pacifica above.
Gamelan Larasati Javanese gamelan gadhon (Solonese, Tentrem Sarwanto) Traditional
Wisconsin Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison Javanese Gamelan Ensemble / Kyai Telaga Rukmi (Venerable Lake of Gold) Javanese Traditional, some new, experimental music University of Wisconsin-Madison ensemble
West Virginia Morgantown Gamelan at West Virginia University Balinese and Javanese West Virginia University ensemble
Shepherdstown Gamelan Wrhatnala Gunung Blue Ridge Balinese Gamelan Gong Kebyar Traditional, Puri Buluh Kenana Region, IGA Ngurah Supartha's compositions and SMKI/Kokar Shepherd College student and community ensemble[49]
Wyoming Laramie Chandra Wyoga ("Chandra" refers to the beauty of the full moon, and "Wyoga" has a double meaning indicating both "Wyoming Gamelan" and "meditation on the beauty of the full moon.") Balinese Semar Pegulingan Traditional The University of Wyoming Gamelan, Chandra Wyoga, is a community gamelan with many UW students and community members.[50]

Notes[]

References[]

See also[]

Wikipedia-logo-v2

This article uses Creative Commons licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

Advertisement