The first malay orchestra in singapore
Singapore's first Malay orchestra, the Orkestra Melayu Singapura (OMS) was set up by the People's Association (PA) in September 1991. Formed to preserve and promote Malay music in Singapore, the OMS is the only orchestra in Singapore to combine modern and traditional instruments in Malay music performance. The orchestra's repertoire includes original compositions and traditional Malay pieces.And slowly,gamelan group was formed under OMS.
What is gamelan?
A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesian origin typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings, and vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together — instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable. The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or hammer, and the Malay-Indonesian suffix "an" makes the root a collective noun.
Bonang Barung
A double row of bronze kettles resting on a horizontal frame, played with two long stick bound with red cord at the striking end.
Gong Each slendro and pelog set had three gongs. Two big gongs (Gong Ageng) and one gong Suwukan about 90 cm, made from bronze, suspended on a wooden frame. It marks the end of the largest phrase of the melody.
Kendang (double ended drum beaten by hands) It is a leading instrument. The pengendang (drumer) is the conductor of the gamelan orchestra. There are five (5) different sizes of kendang from 20 cm to 45 cm.
Kenong
Smaller gongs lay horizontally on crossed cord, inside a wooden frame. A complete set of kenong in each slendro and pelog consist of 10 (ten) kenongs
Saron A xylophone withbronze bar struck with wooden mallet. There are three kinds; Saron Barung, Saron Peking, Saron Demung.
11:30 PM
Bizhen and i went to kallang to interview Mr Iswandiarjo(their instructor) and Azura goh(one of the musician) about their reflections,the history of the band and their experiences in the band.
Here are the interview questions:
Shahidah:When/how did this gamelan formed up?
Mr Iswandiarjo(the instructor):Early last year,it was formed under oms.they decided to take people from OMS to join in the gamelan.
Shahidah:What's the criteria to be able to join gamelan?
Mr Iswandiarjo:There's no criteria.Everyone can play gamelan.All you have to do is to learn basic gamelan structure
Shahidah:What is the purpose of forming up this group?
Mr Iswandiarjo: Youngsters tend to find traditional songs too boring,so we are setting up this group to cater to what youngsters wants.we mix songs from dangdut,pop and western song together.so it's kind of different.
Shahidah:How do you purchase the musical instruments?
Mr Iswandiarjo:It's purchased by the PA.around 1992-1993,Mr osman was the one who recommended the PA.
11:23 PM
- groovin' // .
Members of the OMS gamelan
11:51 PM
- groovin' // .