With its elegant tones, breathless cadence and gripping musical language, the Balinese gamelan has long captivated musicians, composers, artists and travelers alike. And now Union College's very own gamelan gong keybar has a name: Gita Semara.
Gita Semara, or ''Song of Love,'' was unveiled at a special naming ceremony Thursday, May 11, with entertainment by students from the Asian Percussion Workshop and Balinese scholars and performers.
The Balinese instrument, which was custom-made for the College, is an “orchestra” of xylophones, gongs, chimes and flutes that can be played by more than 20 people simultaneously. It was shipped to campus from Singapore last spring courtesy of the Freeman grant supporting initiatives in East Asian studies.
“The dedication is a spiritual event where we name the new gamelan gong kebyar and bless the event with various offerings,” says Jennifer Matsue, assistant professor of Music.
Dr. I. Wayan Dibia, dancer, musician and Balinese arts scholar, officiated at the naming. The former director of the Institute of the Arts in Bali, he currently is a visitor at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
Dr. David Harnish, director of the Ethnic Cultural Arts Program at Bowling Green University and a well-known scholar and performer of Balinese music, was on campus all week, workshopping with students.
Also participating in the naming events was Mr. I. Nyoman Saptanyana, a master drummer currently working at the Indonesian Consulate in New York City.