ON the afternoon of Monday, February 23, Year 6 travelled to Cheltenham Pittville Pump Room to have a lesson on the Javanese gamelan. This trip was organised to support the Year 6 music curriculum, where the pupils study music from Indonesia.

Gamelan, which means ‘orchestra’ in Javanese, is the traditional music of Indonesia and consists of a variety of tuned percussion instruments such as bronze xylophones, gongs and drums which are mounted on beautifully carved and painted wooden frames. The instruments look and sound amazing. Hand-made by master craftsmen in Java, the Cheltenham gamelan took nearly a year to complete, and arrived in 2004.

On arrival, the pupils were split into two groups and each had a wonderful afternoon, taking it in turns to play the gamelan and sketch these wonderful instruments. The workshop was led by Jonathan Roberts, who also teaches gamelan at Birmingham Conservatoire. He was very inspiring with all the knowledge he shared with the group.

As well as learning how to play these instruments pupils also learnt the reasons why no one should wear their shoes when playing the gamelan and that you should always walk around the instruments, never to step over them, as this is seen as being disrespectful.

The time went all too quickly and all were disappointed when it came to an end. It was a fantastic, informative and very creative afternoon.

LYDIA DAY