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Discussion (2/26) of "band theory", collaborative arts, syllabus, individual instrumental demonstrations and group improvisation. Initiate Discussion of final performance 5/28 or 29–time & place & logistics.
Rehearsal (2/27): Group improvisation
Student Rehearsal (tba): Group improvisation
Musical Gathering (MG 3/5–the following week immediately after class–although preparation occurs the week before): Group improvisation to introduce the new "band" to the Bennington Music community
Preparation:
Read Worlds of Music, Jeff Todd Titon, 3rd ed., Ch. 7 "Asia/Indonesia"–R. Anderson Sutton, pp. 316-329, Bennington College Music Library ML 3545 .W67 1996 And in Music of the Whole Earth, David Reck, read Chs. 1-3 to place Indonesian music in context, then read all references to Indonesian instruments (Javanese or Balinese) in Ch. 4 "Machinations of Sound" making sure you understand the large categorical distinctions. Then jump to Ch. 6 "From Birds to Melody Bands" and read pp. 182-221 to give yourself a background on Indonesian scales. Bennington College Music Library MT 6 .R273 M9 1997
&
Use your own instrument and/or imagination to render facsimiles of:
Book space for final performance 5/28 or 29 (students on volunteer basis)
Discussion (3/5): Indonesia. Java. Gamelan. Instruments. Scales. (Follow-up on final performance sched.)
Rehearsal (3/6): Renditions of scales. Improvise in scales.
Student Rehearsal: Improvise in scales
Musical Gathering (3/12): Short improvisations using sléndro and pélog scales.
Preparation:
Read Worlds of Music, Jeff Todd Titon, 3rd ed., Ch. 7 "Asia/Indonesia"–R. Anderson Sutton, pp. 329-337, and listen to accompanying recordings BCML CD 712 Disc 2, Cut 17 or #44
Also read Music of the Whole Earth, David Reck, Ch. 8 "The Quilt of Sound"
Prepare to render as a class gendhing "Bubaran Kembang Pacar" as described, as closely as possible---making note of impossibilities and why.
Discussion: gendhing "Bubaran Kembang Pacar" and ramifications, impossibilities, background
Rehearsal (3/13): gendhing "Bubaran Kembang Pacar"
Student Rehearsal: gendhing "Bubaran Kembang Pacar"
Musical Gathering (3/19):gendhing "Bubaran Kembang Pacar"
Prepare and perform "Bubaran Udan Mas" WOM p. 337
Listen to "Bubaran Udan Mas", "Javanese Court Gamelan", Nonesuch H-72044, BCML CD 899
Also read Music of the Whole Earth, David Reck, Ch. 9 "Alones and Togethers"
Start to write own gamelans
Discussion (3/19): Javanese court gamelan. Composing for gamelan.
Rehearsal (3/20): "Bubaran Udan Mas"
Student Rehearsal: "Bubaran Udan Mas"
Musical Gathering (3/26):"Bubaran Udan Mas"
Preparation:
"Soft-playing style" WOM pp. 338-345
Shadow puppetry & Gamelan WOM pp. 345-352
And listen to accompanying CD 712 Disc 2, 18-20 or #45-47
Also read Music of the Whole Earth, David Reck, Ch. 11 "Invisible Architecture II" from beginning of chapter through Javanese and Balinese Discussions
Continue to work on own gamelans
Discussion (3/26): "Soft-playing style". Shadow puppetry. Other gamelan.
Rehearsal (3/27): Rehearse early gamelans (sketches)
Student Rehearsal: Rehearse early gamelans
No Musical Gathering presentation 4/2
Preparation:
CD 712 Disc 2 21-22, Disc 3 1-2 or #48-51
Bali WOM pp. 354-358
Additional Balinese listening in BCML: LP 265, LP 378, LP 412, LP 1746, LP 1230
And BCML CD 898 "Music from the Morning of the World", Nonesuch Explorer Series 9-79196-2
Indonesian popular music WOM pp. 359-363
Internet research on world gamelan
Rehearse gamelans/Early gamelans performed
Discussion (4/2): Bali. Balinese gamelan vs. Javanese. American gamelan. American pop influence on Indonesian musical culture.
Rehearsal (4/3): Rehearse gamelans
Student Rehearsal: Rehearse gamelans
Musical Gathering (4/9): Perform student gamelans as works in progress OR perform those that are ready. Please help me make sure someone is recording concert.
Preparation: Rehearse gamelans/Last gamelan performance due
Discussion (4/9): Gamelan compositions, presentation, performance
Rehearsal (4/10): Rehearse gamelans
Student Rehearsal: Rehearse gamelans
Musical Gathering (4/16): Perform all gamelans OR those that haven’t been performed yet.
Preparation:
Start new project---Garage bands---students responsible for study materials & structuring 2nd half of course (Weeks 11-13) for study and final performance Week 14. Schedule at least 2 individual meetings with me to discuss, develop and then get approval for teaching plans.
Discussion (4/16): Projects. General ideas for how to structure your study, your presentation, and materials. Bottom-line requirements.
Class times (4/23-24): Individual meetings with me to go over your study, your presentation, and materials. Study materials for Weeks 11-13 must be approved, assigned and communicated to the rest of the class in advance.
No Musical Gathering presentations during this period.
Preparation:
Study materials to be designed by students (reading and listening must be in place and available to other students in advance of these classes.
Start to compose for final performance. Compositions must combine collaborative languages of gamelan and garage bands.
Promotion, stage managing, lighting design and other logistical preparation for FINAL PERFORMANCE
Discussions (5/7, 5/14, 5/21): Students teach
Rehearsal (5/8, 5/15, 5/22): Start Rehearsals of final performance compositions combining collaborative languages of gamelan and garage bands as early as possible.
Student Rehearsal: Rehearse final performance compositions
No Musical Gathering presentations during this period unless the class would like to road-test final performance compositions.
FINAL PERFORMANCE 5/28 or 29---decide place and time in advance
FINAL COMPOSITIONS must draw on areas of study---demonstrate gamelan and garage band combined ethos as well as the role of collaboration in those musics and in yours.
FINAL PAPER: your views on collaboration in music based on specific personal experience and/or specific musical examples–musical examples must be presented on accompanying CD-R.
If you feel you need to solidify your basic musicianship, I recommend:
If these books are unavailable, check the shelf for other texts on fundamentals. Here are a few titles to look for:
| slendró syncopation | Sarah Hunter |
| deep blue lampshade | CJ Selzer |
| chrance | Joe Westerlund |
| … | Ben Lester |
| firefly | Shantonu Lala |
| insomnia | Dan Taylor |
| sleepwalking while following a cloud of candy | Sarah Moran |
| get your gamelon a/k/a the revenge of mario | Lauren Carbonell |
| deathalon | Sam Tyndall |
| upstairs | Tavo Carbone |
No class. Use the time to PREPARE your presentations/compositions. I will be available in Jennings 101 for questions. Sam: Confirm Downstairs Commons for 5/28. Need volunteers to make posters and submit a description of the event to College Week.
No official class: REHEARSE your bands with your compositions. I will be available for coaching or rehearsal in Jennings 101.
FINAL PRESENTATIONS IN CLASS (6 people, 15-min. each)
No official class: REHEARSE your bands with your compositions. I will be available for coaching or rehearsal in Jennings 101.
FINAL PRESENTATIONS IN CLASS (5 people, 15-min. each)
LOAD-IN, SET-UP, SOUND CHECK in Downstairs Commons
FINAL CONCERT–3 Bands perform 11 compositions in Downstairs Commons
belated FINAL PRESENTATIONS IN CLASS
Good luck!