Gamelan, Making Music in Hilles

Did you love banging on pots and pans as a child? Have an urge to catch the vibe of resonating gongs, melodious chimes, or reverberating drums? Then you need to check out Gamelan—a type of Indonesian music being offered on campus with artist-in-residence Jody Diamond.

Though many of Harvard’s programs tend to be overlooked, Gamelan might just be too cool for such a fate. Going on its third year at Harvard, the type of music originates in Bali and Java, and since, this melodic percussion has taken over a budding world music scene.

Every Thursday night, a group led by Diamond, a composer, gathers in Hilles Library to produce a resonance of melody, movement, and rhythm. Over 30 people—some vocalists, others musicians—partake in these collaborative sessions.

According to Diamond, Gamelan “creates a world into which a group of people may discover, learn, create, and perform together.”

All interested need only to be open and willing to learn, no Mozart-like genes required.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.