Gamelan at the ICTMD Conference

Gamelan at the ICTMD Conference

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...
Cirebon gamelan CD release

Cirebon gamelan CD release

An album of compositions composed for The First Smile will be 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...
Gamelan Student Recital 2024

Gamelan Student Recital 2024

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...
Indonesia Day – 50th Anniversary of gamelan in Aotearoa

Indonesia Day – 50th Anniversary of gamelan in Aotearoa

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...
Indonesian Independence Day

Indonesian Independence Day

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...
Free Intro Workshop – Balinese Gamelan

Free Intro Workshop – Balinese Gamelan

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....
50th Anniversary Concert & Workshop

50th Anniversary Concert & Workshop

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...
Wayang Kulit

Wayang Kulit

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:      ...
Tombo Ati

Tombo Ati

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...
2022 Student Gamelan Recital

2022 Student Gamelan Recital

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...
Eternal Glory of Friendship

Eternal Glory of Friendship

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...
Articles on events 2020-2022

Articles on events 2020-2022

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....
Nelson Tuku22 Heritage Festival

Nelson Tuku22 Heritage Festival

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...
New Book – Sonic Dissonance: The Music and Life of Composer Yudane

New Book – Sonic Dissonance: The Music and Life of Composer Yudane

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...
2021 Gamelan recital

2021 Gamelan recital

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...
Gamelan Aotearoa

Gamelan Aotearoa

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)....
Gamelan Taniwha Jaya at CubaDupa

Gamelan Taniwha Jaya at CubaDupa

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...
Umbul Donga: Gamelan Recital

Umbul Donga: Gamelan Recital

Wednesday 14 October, 7pm @ the Adam Concert Room (ACR) Students of PERF250 gave their final recital, with Gamelan Padhang Moncar in support. The students performed Gangsaran (pelog), Ladrang Singa-singa (pelog barang) and Lancaran Naraca (slendro). This year’s gamelan prizes (sponsored by the NZ Indonesia Association and the Indonesian Embassy) were also announced. Gamelan Padhang Moncar performed Ketawang Ibu Pertiwi (pelog lima) and Ladrang Mugirahayu (slendro manyuro). The evening ended with a performance of Umbul Donga, an arrangement by Budi Putra which incorporated a Javanese song of cleansing from bad influences as well as students performing on violin and harp. The students were joined vocally in this item by Gamelan Padhang Moncar....
Gamelan in the NZ Festival of the Arts

Gamelan in the NZ Festival of the Arts

Gamelan Wellington was delighted to take part in this year’s NZ Festival of the Arts in Wellington. In the first week, we provided workshops on Javanese gamelan to Porirua College students as part of Lemi Ponifasio’s Te Ata Festival in Porirua (22-29 February). The second week of the festival saw Budi Putra, Megan Collins, Jo Hilder and Greg Street working with Laurie Anderson for two of her shows: The Calling and Here Comes the Ocean. It was an honour to work Laurie and the wonderful musicians she brought with her: Greg Cohen, Eyvand Kang, Shahzad Ismaily, Rubin Kodheli and Stuart Hurwood, as well as local taonga puoro musician Horomona Horo. Their open-hearted and ‘loose’ approach to improvised shows was a revelation and a joy. Reviews may be found here: The Calling and Here Comes the Ocean...
Gong Beats: Gamelan Recital

Gong Beats: Gamelan Recital

Thursday 3 October 2019 Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music Students of this year’s PERF250 undergraduate class in Javanese gamelan presented their final recital, directed by Budi S. Putra, with guest appearances from Gamelan Padhang Moncar and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya. PERF250 Students with Budi Putra Gamelan Padhang Moncar Gamelan Taniwha Jaya Programme: Ladrang Sumarah pelog nyamat (PERF250) This traditional piece is in ladrang form which is usually performed at a slow tempo, and is often used to welcome guests or to begin a concert. Lancaran Pambuka slendro manyuro (PERF250) Lancaran Lumaris slendro manyuro (PERF250) These traditional gamelan pieces are often used to accompany shadow puppets. Lancaran is a formal structure of at least two gong cycles, each divided into 4 bars of four notes each. It is one of the shorter Javanese structures and is usually played lancar (at a fast tempo). PERF250 Performers: Jac Boothe, Lorenz Romuel Arabelo, Kenny Childs, Morgan Smith, Imogen Moore, Ellen Travis, Ferg Fry, Kylie White, Samuel McMillan, Julian Mittmann, Emma Bernard, Maxwell Stone, Soyam Dean, Phoebe Caldeiro, Mia Kelly, Arturo Lopez, Kauru Sawada Hujan Mas (Gamelan Taniwha Jaya) This Balinese piece in the gong kebyar style is of unclear origin but most likely originated in the early to mid 20th century in Kedis Kaja, North Bali, before spreading to a group in Ubud popular for its tourist performances, Gunung Sari. It is now a favourite among Balinese gamelan groups outside Bali. GTJ Performers: Gareth Farr, Rupert Snook, Mike Jones, Svenda Strom, Jo Hilder, Sophie James, Bo Yang, Josh Hyslop, Peter Ingram, Ijaan Yudana, Anita Tan, Clare Tattersall, Jean Arnold, Amber Madriaga, Budi...
Pyramid Power Festival

Pyramid Power Festival

Jeff Henderson and gamelan Saturday 4 May 2019, 5pm The Third Eye, 30 Arthur Street, Wellington $10 Saxophonist extraordinaire, Jeff Henderson and members of Gamelan Wellington created experimental music from a graphic score devised by Jeff - part of the Pyramid Power Festival, festival of adventurous music organised by the good people of the Pyramid Club....
Balinese Baleganjur @ BATS Theatre 30th Birthday

Balinese Baleganjur @ BATS Theatre 30th Birthday

Saturday 6 April 2019 A baleganjur parade kicked off the BATStravaganza! - a spectacular variety show to  celebrate 30 years of BATS Theatre. The show highlighted some of the best bits in theatre, dance, comedy and music from the last 30 years at Bat’s. Members of Gamelan Taniwha Jaya were led by Gareth Farr, a longtime member of the BATS whānau dating back to his first Bat’s show HAMMER AND GONGS back in the early 90s, which also featured baleganjur. At the BATStravaganza, Gareth and members of Gamelan Taniwha Jaya paraded from Bat’s Theatre along to the Embassy Theatre where the event began at 8pm....