TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Recycled instruments join Javanese gamelan for fun and education
What will we see, or rather hear, when musical instruments made of scrap collaborate with Javanese gamelan (traditional ensemble)? An inspirational orchestra creating harmonious music
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
What will we see, or rather hear, when musical instruments made of scrap collaborate with Javanese gamelan (traditional ensemble)?
An inspirational orchestra creating harmonious music.
That's what happened at St. Theresia Catholic Elementary School in Surabaya recently when its gamelan students got together with student environmental activists from Malaysia's Anak Warisn Alam Foundation (YAWA) who had made their instruments from recycled materials.
YAWA's simple musical instruments were made from used echo drums and water bottles attached to broom sticks and, when beaten, not only produced melodious music but also sent a message to their audience that the used bottles could be utilized for something beautiful instead of just being tossed away into the environment.
"We want to show our younger brothers and sisters in the city on how to use scrap materials," Jes Ibrahim Izaidin, a YAWA activist, said after performing an instrumental piece.
The performance won great applause from the audience which consisted of students and teachers.
"Very beautiful and harmonious...," said Afiq Safwan Adly, YAWA coordinator.
The activists' visit was part of YAWA's campaign ahead of the 2009 International Children's Conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur. Indonesia will also participate.
"Through the conference, we will join forces with children from around the world who love the environment," Afiq said.
Before departing for Indonesia, YAWA had asked Tunas Hijau, an Indonesian children's environmental NGO, to recommend an educational institution giving space to environmental education, he said.
The Malaysian foundation was given three alternatives: State elementary school in Kandangan, state Vocational High School SMK V and the Catholic elementary school -- which conducts weekly, compulsory environmental classes for all of its students.
Meanwhile, the Catholic elementary school principal, Michael Darananto, welcomed YAWA's visit which he said had encouraged his students to learn more about the environment and to preserve it.
"The Malaysian visit will strengthen our students' motivation to love the environment."
The highlight of the event was when the Malaysian group was standing behind the elementary school's gamelan players, forming a musical collaboration which played two instrumental songs titled Santa Theresia Hijau dan Bersih (St. Theresia green and clean) and Gemercik Air (sound of trickling water).
Following the environmentally friendly music performance, YAWA and Tunas Hijau members proceeded to the Kandangan elementary school and the vocational senior high school which hosted a workshop on how to recycle leaf waste.
