Documentation of the Gamelan Bali Workshop at Ethnomusicology ISI Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta The Ethnomusicology Department of the Faculty of Performing Arts (FSP) at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta welcomed students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) for a gamelan workshop. This was part of a cross-border cultural exchange and art learning program. The event provided participants with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Balinese musical traditions through direct learning experiences with the academic community of the Ethnomusicology Department at ISI Yogyakarta.
The workshop, held at the Ethnomusicology Department of ISI Yogyakarta, introduces participants to the basics of Balinese gamelan playing, from instrument recognition and striking techniques to understanding the cultural values embedded within it. NAFA students not only learn the musical aspects but are also invited to understand the philosophy, ethics, and concept of togetherness that are an important part of Balinese karawitan practice.
Through the guidance of ethnomusicology lecturers and students, participants had the opportunity to play various gamelan instruments firsthand in an ensemble format. The learning process was conducted interactively, allowing for the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants from different cultural backgrounds. The workshop atmosphere was dynamic with high enthusiasm from the students who actively discussed and tried gamelan playing techniques.
This activity is part of the internationalization efforts continuously developed by ISI Yogyakarta through various academic and cultural collaboration programs with art institutions in the Southeast Asian region. The working relationship between ISI Yogyakarta and NAFA has been established through various cultural exchange and art learning programs, including programs Overseas Immersion Programme that brings together students from both institutions in art and culture-based activities.
In addition to increasing participants' understanding of Indonesian traditional art, this gamelan workshop also serves as a medium for cultural diplomacy that strengthens relationships between art education institutions internationally. Through a participatory learning experience, students are expected to gain a broader understanding of Indonesia's cultural richness while also building sustainable academic and artistic networks.
The Ethnomusicology Department of ISI Yogyakarta welcomes the implementation of this activity positively as part of its commitment to developing ethnomusicology education with a global perspective without neglecting local cultural roots. It is hoped that such collaboration can continue and open up broader cooperation opportunities in the future, both in education, research, and art and cultural exchange.
