by Jo Hilder | Feb 28, 2026 | 2026, Events Recent
Saturday 28 February 2026, noon The Dell, Wellington Botanic Gardens This performance by Gamelan Taniwha Jaya outdoors in The Dell was the first time for many years that gamelan has been brought to the Wellington Botanic Gardens. The programme featured a range of Balinese gong kebyar repertoire temple music, 20th century compositions by renowned Balinese composers, and music to accompany dance. Ratoh Jaroe, a traditional Acehnese dance, was also presented by the Indonesian Students Association. Java Fusion Indonesian food truck kept the crowd picnicking in the sunshine well fed. Koha was collected by the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Gardens to contribute to the renovations to the Begonia...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 11, 2025 | 2025, Events Recent
Saturday 11 October 2025, 6pm - at the Aldersgate Centre in central Christchurch This major event celebrated 30 years since Elaine Dobson oversaw the commissioning of a gong kebyar gamelan set from Bali and its arrival at the University of Canterbury on Christmas Eve, 1995! The event featured performances from UC Gamelan now led by Justin DeHart, with a guest appearance from their most recent teacher from Bali I Made Kartawan. Joining them in the celebrations were Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya from Gamelan Wellington, and Gamelan Puspawarna from Dunedin. The programme was as follows: Budi S. Putra – Tembang PANGKUR Gedong Kuning Pelog Nem UC Gamelan Ensemble Gambang Kuta (I Wayan Lotring) Kompyang (I Wayan Lotring) Rejang Sari - with dancers Gamelan Padhang Moncar Patetan Slendro Sanga Jugag - Ketawang Miji Dhempel - Lancaran Glopa Glape - with dancer: Veronica Augustin Dyah N Puspawarna Dunedin Community Gamelan group Ladrang Slamet Ladrang Asmarandana Langgam Ngimpi (Ki Mujoko Joko Raharjo) Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Seketi (adapted for Gong Kebyar from gender wayang repertoire) Baris Tari Cendrawasih (I Nyoman Windha & I Wayan Berata) - danced by Veronica Augustin Dyah N Wayang Kulit (dhalang/puppeteer: Ki Joko Susilo, accompanied by Gamelan Padhang Moncar) The Story of Ciptaning I Made Kartawan leads the UC Gamelan Gamelan Padhang Moncar Puspawarna bonang players Veronica Agustin Dyah dances Tari Cendrawasih with Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Wayang Kulit by Ki Joko Susilo (with...
by Jo Hilder | May 24, 2025 | 2025, Events Recent
Saturday 24 May, 2pm Adam Concert Room, New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus Students of PERF250 who studied Javanese gamelan with Budi S. Putra for one semester presented their final recital: Lancaran Janji Allah Slendro Manyuro, Budalan - Gangsaran, Lancaran Bondet Pelog Nem, and Umbul Donga Pelog Nem. Gamelan Taniwha Jaya and Gamelan Padhang Moncar also performed. The NZ Embassy of Indonesia presented the gamelan prize to Benji Hetariki....
by Jo Hilder | Apr 6, 2025 | 2025, Events Recent
Sunday 6 April, 2pm King’s Theatre, Stratford We were thrilled to be invited to present wayang kulit with Ki Joko Susilo at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, under the guidance of our musical director, Budi S. Putra. We accompanied Joko as he dramatised the story of Ciptoning, an excerpt from the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. On Monday morning, we held gamelan and puppetry workshops for students from local schools....
by Jo Hilder | Mar 5, 2025 | 2025, Events Recent
Wednesday 5 March, 6-7pm Asia-Pacific Music Studio (MS303), NZ School of Music An introduction to one of the most well-known musical traditions of Bali: Gong Kebyar. This was a hands-on session where participants learned about the instruments, how the music is put together and had a chance to try their hand playing the instruments, including the most fantastic deep and resonant gong. The workshop was led by experienced members of Gamelan Taniwha Jaya – the Balinese gamelan brought to NZ by Gareth Farr and now housed at the NZ School of Music at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. We welcome newcomers to join the...
by Jo Hilder | Jan 13, 2025 | 2025, Events Recent
Monday 13 January, Tākina Convention Centre, Wellington The 48th World Conference for the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD) was held in Wellington in January 2025. Music and dance from Java and Bali was well represented at this significant event. Our Javanese gamelan, Gamelan Padhang Moncar collaborated with dancers from Triadhika Productions, Jakarta in presenting two dances with live music: Gambyong Parianom and Srimpi. Gamelan Padhang Moncar also performed Nusantara Indah (karya Dedek Wahyudi). Dancers from Triadhika Productions perform Gambyong Parianom (Photo: Hendra Yudha) Srimpi dancers from Triadhika Productions (Photo: Soyam Dean) Mahdi Bahar, from Jambi University, Sumatra, performed a selection of dendang Minangkabau songs, on the rabab darek with Megan Collins on vocals. Mekar Bhuana, a New Zealand/Balinese gamelan and dance centre, also presented Balinese dance with live music as well as concerts of selonding music and gender wayang at the conference. Putu Evie Suyadnyani and Ayu Reehanna Wandira from Mekar Bhuana Mekar Bhuana perform gender wayang Mekar Bhuana Selonding...
by Jo Hilder | Dec 7, 2024 | Events
Read the review. An album of compositions composed for The First Smile was released on 18 December 2024 by Rattle Records. The First Smile is the gamelan brought to Aotearoa 50 years ago by Allan Thomas from Cirebon in West Java. It was the foundation of the gamelan community in Wellington, underpinning the later development of Central Javanese and Balinese gamelan as Gamelan Wellington. This beautifully performed, recorded and presented album testifies to the vision and legacy of Allan Thomas and the commitment his partner Jennifer Shennan and members of The First Smile to keeping the flame alive. The album features works by Anton Killin, Lou Harrison, David Farquhar, Chris Francis, Alison Isadora, and Gerard Crewdson. Also featured are two traditional compositions (Sinjang Kirut , or ‘crumpled sarong’, and Kasturun, traditionally used as accompaniment to female court dancers). Recorded and mixed by Warwick Donald Mastered by Thomas Arbor Design by UnkleFranc Printed by Studio Q Founding director: Dr Allan Thomas Patron: Dr Joko Susilo Players: Gerard Crewdson, Chris Francis, Rosalind Jiko, Helen Lowe, Hui Luo, Barbara Lyon, Keith McEwing, Jennifer Shennan This project was made possible with generous support from the Lilburn Trust, without whom the recording would not have been possible. The First Smile respectfully acknowledges Allan Thomas, Jack Body, Paramita Abdurachman, Yusuf Dendabrata, Richard North, Jonathan Engel at SOUNZ, Daniel Beban, John Casey, UnkleFranc Design, and Steve Garden at Rattle...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 13, 2024 | 2024, Events Recent
Sunday 13 October 2024, 7pm Adam Concert Room, New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus The 2024 students of Javanese gamelan (PERF255) at the NZ School of Music (tutored by Budi S. Putra) presented their final recital. Gamelan Wellington also celebrated 50 years of gamelan in Aotearoa. Grace Lawrence receives the Indonesian Embassy gamelan prize for 2024 PERF255 Student on demung Gamelan Padhang Moncar Gamelan Taniwha Jaya The concert also included items from Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya. Guest dancer, Veronica Agustin Dyah performed Tari Pendet with Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, and a masked dance to the music of Asmaramurka by Nanang Karbito. Tari Pendet Tari Pendet Mask dance Mask dance All photos courtesy of Maxie Caseando...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 6, 2024 | 2024
Sunday 6 October, 11am-3pm Te Papa Tongarewa, Level 4 - Rongomaraeroa (the marae) We celebrated 50 years of gamelan in Aotearoa New Zealand with this day of music and dance performances from many parts of Indonesia. Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya accompanied dancers by students from Indonesia who also performed other dances interspersed throughout the day to recorded music. Our Javanese director, Budi Putra, led an interactive angklung session. Guest performers were: Puspawarna Gamelan – Javanese gamelan from Dunedin Udgita Canda/ University of Canterbury Gamelan – Balinese gamelan from Christchurch Sanggar Pertiwi – Indonesian dance group from Auckland Sekolah Menengah Atas Taruna (SMAT) Krida Nusantara – Dancers and angklung from a high school in Bandung, Indonesia Veronica Agustin Dyah - Indonesian dancer Performances included: Tari Pendet - Balinese welcome dance by SMAT dancers accompanied by live music from Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Nusantara Indah by Dedek Wayudi (dancers from SMAT Krida Nusantara accompanied by Gamelan Padhang Moncar) Kompyang by I Wayan Lotring & an arrangement of Seketi (Gamelan Taniwha Jaya) Ladrang Wilujeng, Langgam Aja Lamis, Ladrang Gegot etc (Puspawarna Gamelan from Dunedin) Baris Bebarongan and Tabuh Petegak Lonceng (University of Canterbury Gamelan) Dances: Lenggang Puspika and Belibis Dance (Sanggar Pertiwi from Auckland) Dances: Bona Jeges (Batak) and Perang (Kalimantan) (SMAT Krida Nusantara) JaBaLan - Balinese & Javanese gamelan together with the voices of Joko Susilo and Budi S. Putra Also on display were beautiful Indonesian batik fabrics and two of the antique instruments from the first gamelan to arrive in Aotearoa in 1974. This event was a collaboration between the Embassy of Indonesia, Gamelan Wellington, the NZ School of...
by Jo Hilder | Aug 17, 2024 | 2024
Saturday 17 August 2024 Shed 6 on the Wellington Waterfront Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya performed at the Indonesian Festival, Nusantara in Aotearoa, hosted by the Indonesian embassy for the 2024 Independence Day celebrations. Gamelan Taniwha Jaya was joined by special guest I Gusti Ngurah Agung Surya Pradipta performing the Balinese mask dance, Topeng...
by Jo Hilder | Feb 5, 2026 | 2026, eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Mar 13, 2024 | 2024
Wednesday 13 March, 6-7pm in the Asia-Pacific Music Studio (MS303) at the New Zealand School of Music (Gate 7, Kelburn campus) This one-off workshop was led by experienced members of Gamelan Taniwha Jaya – the Balinese gamelan housed at NZSM, brought to NZ by Gareth Farr. The perfect number of participants (about 18) learned about the instruments, how the music is put together and played a short section of a traditional piece, Baris....
by Jo Hilder | Mar 10, 2024 | 2024
Te Papa, Wellington Foyer, Level 2 Sun 10 Mar 2024, 10.30–1.30 We kicked off celebrations of our 50th anniversary of the arrival of gamelan in Aotearoa with performances and public workshops at Te Papa. Gamelan arrived in New Zealand in 1974, when ethnomusicologist Allan Thomas brought a centuries-old gamelan set of instruments from Cirebon on the north coast of West Java. Check out our history page for more information. Fifty years later (2024) the gamelan has become an integral part of what is now New Zealand School of Music Te Kōki at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. From those beginnings in the mid-70s, there are currently at least six active gamelan ensembles throughout New Zealand. Programme of the day: 10.30am–11.00am: Short intro concert 11.15am–12.00pm: Workshop (booking required) 12.30pm–1.30pm: Concert and hands-on opportunities Performers: Budi S. Putra (director), Megan Collins, Marie Direen, Judith Exley, Faris Fairusham, Desi Haliyati, Jo Hilder, Alisa Hogan, Josh Hyslop, Mike Jones, Hasil Maksud, Paul Nuttall, Eddie Ramirez, Greg Street Supported by the Indonesian Embassy in...
by Jo Hilder | Nov 25, 2023 | 2023
Saturday 25 November 2023, 7pm Upper Hutt Library Gamelan Padhang Moncar accompanied Ki Joko Susilo who presented the story of Ciptaning through traditional Javanese wayang kulit. The space at the Upper Hutt Library in Fergusson Drive was packed out. Performers: Budi S. Putra (musical director), Megan Collins, Marie Direen, Judith Exley, Desi Haliyati, Jo Hilder, Alisa Hogan, Josh Hyslop, Mike Jones, Faris Fairusham, Hasil Maksud, Paul Nuttall, Greg Street, Eddie Ramirez Thanks to the following organisations for their support: ...
by Jo Hilder | Mar 12, 2016 | Events
Watch this space for exciting upcoming events later this year. Sign up to receive emails here. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, if that’s your thing. Take a look at our past events to see what we’ve done before including appearances at WOMAD the Silver Scroll Awards shadow puppet shows and accompanying...
by Jo Hilder | Oct 13, 2023 | 2023
Friday 13 October 2023, 7pm Adam Concert Room, New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus Music can be a medicine to calm our heart - Tombo ati. Our annual end of year concert featured Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya. Programme: Macapat: Dhandanggula Tlutur – Budi Putra and Briar Prastiti (vocals), Tristan Carter (violin), Nick Hancox (viola) Rabab Pasisia Selatan – Megan Collins (rabab Pasisia Selatan) Ladrang Ubaya Pelog Lima – Gamelan Padhang Moncar Baris – Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Seketi – Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Lelagon Ojo Dipleroki Pelog Nem – Gamelan Padhang Moncar Lelagon Prahu Layar Pelog Nem – Gamelan Padhang Moncar Cendrawasih - Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Sapta Pesona/Nusantara Indah (opera gamelan) – Gamelan Padhang Moncar Jabalan (Javanese and Balinese Gamelan) and tembang – Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha...
by Jo Hilder | Feb 8, 2025 | 2025, eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Mar 24, 2015 | eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Feb 23, 2024 | 2024, eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Oct 14, 2022 | 2022
Friday 14 October, 7pm @ the Adam Concert Room (NZ School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington) The 2022 students of Javanese gamelan (PERF255) at the NZ School of Music presented their final recital with support from Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, performing Lancaran Samiran slendro manyura, Lancaran Lumaris slendro manyura, and Ladrang Tedak Saking - Sampak Asmaramurka pelog barang. This concert also included a Balinese dance (Tari Pendet) performed by Hawa Matthews and Ruliyati Dewi with live music from Gamelan Taniwha Jaya, led by I Wayan Gde...
by Jo Hilder | Sep 24, 2022 | 2022
Saturday, 24 September, 2pm St John’s in the City, Cnr Willis and Dixon Streets Gamelan Padhang Moncar presented a programme of traditional style Javanese gamelan music, including “Nusantara Indah”, a composition by Dedek Wahyudi, a prominent Javanese gamelan composer. Free...
by Jo Hilder | Jan 29, 2023 | 2021
Links to publications about our activities during COVID times (2020-2022): Article in Balungan (publication of the American Gamelan Institute): Vol. 14, GAMELAN DURING COVID, 2020 - Gamelan and related arts during the COVID era; Editors: Jody Diamond and Linda Hibbs The Gongs Hang Silent: Gamelan in New Zealand, by Jo Hilder, Megan Collins, Budi Putra, and Gareth Farr Article in FiftyFifty (newsletter of the New Zealand Indonesia Association - NZIA): Vol. 19, September 2021 The Music Behind the Shadow Puppets by Jo Hilder, Anton Killin, Megan Collins and Budi S....
by Jo Hilder | Jun 11, 2022 | 2022
11 June 2022 Gamelan Padhang Moncar provided live music at an Indonesian cultural day of events at the Saxton Oval Pavilion in Nelson as part of Nelson’s Tuku22 Heritage Festival. This included background music provided for a morning batik workshop and a more formal musical presentation at the evening dinner event. This event was organised by IndoNelson with support from the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI), Nelson City Council, Multicultural Nelson Tasman, the Department of Internal Affairs and Denaya...
by Jo Hilder | Aug 22, 2021 | 2021, Events
Announcing a significant new book about I Wayan Gde Yudane, a prominent Balinese composer linked to New Zealand. Robyn Yuwell has penned this book based on interviews with Yudane and research. We were fortunate to have held an in-person event to launch this book on the 8th of August 2021 at the Long Hall in Roseneath. This event featured compositions by local musicians performed by The First Smile gamelan and a performance of Topeng Tua by Yudane (with skeletal accompaniment on the Cirebon gamelan). Readings of book excerpts by Jennifer Shennan and by Robyn showcased the poetic nature of much of the writing. Yudane and daughter, Delisia, accompanied Robyn’s reading with subtle improvised music – the words and sounds together evoking scenes from Yudane’s childhood and the Balinese world. Some responses: The book is highly unusual…and brilliant. – Jennifer Shennan ...captures Yudane’s voice really clearly … it’s like he’s right there in the room with you. An entertaining and interesting life story worth finding out more about. – Rupert Snook The book is available as an e-book from: Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ Hard copies are available from: SOUNZ (Centre for New Zealand Music Toi te Arapūoro) Shrödinger’s Books (Petone, Wellington, NZ) Ganesha Bookshop (Ubud, Bali) Images of Yudane performing Topeng Tua at the book launch at the Long Hall, 8 August...
by Jo Hilder | Sep 21, 2023 | eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Sep 30, 2022 | 2022, eventYear
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by Jo Hilder | Oct 8, 2021 | 2021
Friday 8 October, 6:30pm @ the Adam Concert Room (NZ School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington) This year’s students of Javanese gamelan (PERF255) at the NZ School of Music presented their final recital with support from Gamelan Padhang Moncar. Due to Covid restrictions at the time, this event had a very limited audience and was streamed over...
by Jo Hilder | May 31, 2021 | 2021
Monday 31 May 2021, 6pm at the National Library, Molesworth St, Wellington (Ground floor foyer - Te Ahumairangi) - FREE Lilburn Research Fellow, Dr Anton Killin, introduced a concert of New Zealand compositions for Javanese gamelan, set in context with traditional and contemporary Javanese gamelan music. Music was performed by Wellington’s Gamelan Padhang Moncar (Budi Putra, Director). Rupert Snook & Josh Hyslop performing Balinese rindik Anton Killin presenting Gabrielle Young Gamelan Padhang Moncar in the National Library Photos by Ramadian Bachtiar and Nick Lambrechtsen from the NZ Indonesia Association Dr Anton Killin was the Lilburn Research Fellow in 2021, based at the National Library of New Zealand. His research focused on cross-cultural music composition in New Zealand relating to the use of Indonesian gamelan. Gamelan has been a significant cultural influence on New Zealand composers since it was introduced. Since gamelan first arrived in New Zealand in 1975, many New Zealand composers have been inspired to write works for the ensemble including David Farquhar (1928-2007), Judith Exley, Megan Collins, and Lilburn Fellow Anton Killin, whose pieces featured in this concert, along with that of Indonesian composer Dedek Wayhudi and US composer Lou Harrison (1917-2003)....
by Jo Hilder | Mar 28, 2021 | 2021
28 March 2021, 11.30am parade from the Swan Carpark to Abel Smith St Gamelan Taniwha Jaya presented baleganjur at the 2021 CubaDupa Festival. Balinese parade music with interlocking rhythms from the reong gongs, ceng-ceng cymbals and drums, baleganjur music is used in Bali for both funeral music and competitive street performances. We were led by I Wayan Gde Yudane. Performing under art installation at CubaDupa I Wayan Gde Yudane leading baleganjur...
