guide to the
Luminous Gamelan
Contemporary gamelan music and performance
LUMINOUS EDUCATION
The instruments of the Indonesian gamelan provide a special way to look at world
culture. They allow insight into traditional music typical of South East Asian
cultures, and provide insights into our own music forms as well as to
contemporary world-music in general. Gamelan illuminates the understanding of
old-growth values in music, providing seeds for renewal.
Luminous Gamelan are one of several independent organisations within the
membership of Gamelan Naga Mas that offer workshops for general and special
educational needs. We encourage the direct study of traditional music, as well
as the use of gamelan instruments and resources for contemporary music.
RESOURCE WORKSHOPS
These workshops provide an essential introduction to the Gamelan. They are hands-on
sessions available at primary, secondary and adult levels, and are a valuable
introduction for secondary schools curriculum.
Commencing with introductory workshops on a full set of gamelan instruments,
pupils translate their experiences onto western instruments. They return to the
gamelan with an increased awareness of music making. Orff creative-music
approaches and game structure unlock the mysteries of the composer performer.
IMAGINATION & MYTHMAKING WORKSHOPS
We have created a series of imagination centred programmes that bring the
adventure of gamelan to both children and parents through storymaking, puppets,
myth and music. Thses are old and new mythologies of social importance.
Based on American Indian mythology - participants engage in a story and music
workshop that explores community and language, how we communicate and how we
build group identity.
Children become part of the Celestial Gamelan Orchestra to provide music and
drama for the Kiowa Seneca Indian tale “Forgets To Twinkle”.
Travelling across the threshold of visibility, participants must create music,
tell stories, and make shadow dances in order to find their way home. Creative
invention is imperative . . . but mind you, there are certain benefits to
invisibility. .
Outdoor music adventures for a group of island traveling children, who must win
the trust of a residing dragon-landlord. An ancient gamelan provides ceremonial
music that could guaranty a safe passage home.
playing: forest queen
LUMINOUS GAMELAN
Luminous Gamelan is a meeting place for contemporary music and gamelan, a place
for music innovation and performance, embracing music traditions that centre
around percussion instruments. The Luminous Gamelan is an educational provider,
and a producer of performance concepts focused on gamelan arts, world
percussion music and related arts activities. Directed by composer Jon
Keliehor, we have been located in Glasgow since 1996.
LUMINOUS MUSIC
Luminous Gamelan are linked directly to the organisation Luminous Music, well
known for their innovative work in dance and educational communities in
Scotland. Luminous Music are committed to the creation of new music for the gamelan, and
run an independent recording label interested in helping other gamelan
organisations develop and promote recordings.
RECORDINGS
In 1994, Jon Keliehor co-produced the now much sought after recording TRANCE
GONG, with Jarrad Powell of Gamelan Pacifica. This recording features a wide
range of gamelan works by contemporary composers such as John Cage, Jarrad
Powell, Jeff Morris, and Keliehor himself.
In 2005 he produced FLOAT SOUND OBJECTS, a collection of new works for Gamelan
Naga Mas, looking deeply into attitudes, environment and events surrounding the
Indonesian Tsunami of 2005.
JON KELIEHOR
Luminous Music is the primary online publishing house for the music of Jon
Keliehor. Many of his compositions show a clear and empathetic relation to
gamelan. References to Indonesian music began to emerge in his compositions for
dance while working for London Contemporary Dance Theatre between 1971-1985.
Later with Gamelan Pacifica in Seattle, 1988, he began to write directly for
gamelan. Rooted in world percussion, his music is contemporary. It continues to
develop in surprising and unpredictable ways.
Recordings include:
FLOAT SOUND OBJECTS
TRANCE GONG
TIME OF DREAMS
CELESTIAL NILE
CREATE MUSIC
OCEAN OF DREAMS
EAST MEETS WEST
SPIRAL IN ALCYONE
THE ANDROGYNE JOURNAL
TROY GAME
CLASS V
IN DEEP
MORE INFORMATION ON THE LUMINOUS GAMELAN
Music Peformance and Education
Imagination and Mythmaking Workshops
Email: luminousmusic@ntlworld.com
Web: http://luminous-music.com -and-
