A wave of honey arrives in Falmouth with generous gamelan donation
University College Falmouth has received a Javanese gamelan, a percussion ensemble generously donated by David Ruffer, director of music at Bournemouth School on behalf of The Hastings Gamelan Society. The Gamelan is a percussion ensemble named Alun Madu (A Wave of Honey).
The gamelan consists of a set of brass and iron gongs, tuned metal bars, (metallophones) and drums and is tuned to both Pelog and Slendro scales. The set was made in Yogyakarta, south Java, with funds made available through the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme in 1998.
UCF is not a stranger to the gamelan since students from Dartington College of Arts were able to use a Balinese version dating from the mid 1970s that remains on the Dartington Estate following the relocation of the Performance courses to Falmouth last year.
David Ruffer commented; "These instruments need to be looked after, played and nurtured. I am keen that instruments will be played often and form a useful resource for students. I am sure that with Dartington College of Arts' long association with gamelan now being a part of University College Falmouth, the instruments will be good hands."
The donation of Alun Madu is a significant step in maintaining important performance opportunities for the students at the new Performance Centre as playing in the gamelan ensemble is often the discovery of a whole new world of sound for our students.
These instruments are an important development for Cornwall's music scene as the county will now have its own resident Gamelan ensemble. The Gamelan involves close interlocking patterns that require great musicianship to play well and create a tightly woven sound around a central melody. At the same time, it can accommodate students of differing levels of ability so is uniquely supportive of integrated approaches to musical participation.
For further information about Music at University College Falmouth, visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/music email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 255944.
For further information please contact Suzanne Bull, Marketing & PR Manager , School of Media & Performance at University College Falmouth,, Telephone: 01326 213762, or email: suzanne.bull@falmouth.ac.uk
Media relations contact
Sally Grint - Communications & PR
Manager
University College Falmouth, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4RH
Tel: 01326 255854
Mobile: 07780 565552
Email: sally.grint@falmouth.ac.uk
Copyright © 2011 University College Falmouth. All Rights Reserved.
