MUS20600 UCD Gamelan Ensemble Spring 2024-25

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with the art music tradition of Central Java by performing in the gamelan ensemble. The core focus of the module is on traditional Javanese forms and techniques, which students will become familiar with through practical experience on the various instruments that make up the gamelan. The module culminates in a end-of-semester concert. There will also be an opportunity to compose new works for the gamelan ensemble, once students becomes familiar with its basic principles.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

All students completing this module will:
1. Gain facility on the different instruments of the Javanese gamelan.
2. Acquire a thorough understanding of traditional Javanese musical forms.
3. Develop overall musicianship through the practice of ensemble playing.

Returning students who have completed previous gamelan modules will also acquire further skills in the improvisatory techniques typical of the tradition.

Indicative Module Content:

Javanese instrumental techniques
Javanese music theory and terminology
Ensemble rehearsals and performance

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

36
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered through weekly ensemble rehearsals.
In each rehearsal, some time is also dedicated to teaching individual students new skills. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Practical Skills Assessment: At the end of the term, students will perform a public concert demonstrating all the repertoire and skills they have learned. Their performance will be assessed by the module coordinator. n/a Graded No

30
Individual Project: Students will be taught how to play various instruments in the gamelan orchestra. Their rate of progress in learning their parts will be assessed by the module coordinator in weekly rehearsals. n/a Graded No

70

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The teacher will monitor the students' progress throughout the term. Regular feedback and guidance will be given to each student in the ensemble, especially in the final weeks before the concert. Students are expected to integrate this feedback into their playing by rehearsing at their instrument outside of class time.

- Lindsay, Jennifer. Javanese Gamelan: Traditional Orchestra of Indonesia 2nd Ed., "Images of Asia" Series, Oxford University Press, New York, 1992.

This is a small book, very easy to read, just introducing all the instruments of the gamelan, explaining the musical structures, and giving some basic historical and cultural context for the musical tradition. James Joyce Library 780.9598 LIN

- Brinner, Benjamin. Music in Central Java: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. Oxford University Press, New York, 2008.

This book explains what each instrument in the gamelan plays, and how each player works out their parts, and it comes with a CD filled with musical examples. It also talks about other technical details like how the gamelan is tuned. James Joyce Library 780.9598 BRI
Name Role
Dr Peter Moran Lecturer / Co-Lecturer