Hear the ancient art of the gamelan

"Gamelan Pacifica, a professional musical ensemble in residence at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, will perform a concert at Thomas Berry Hall at the Whidbey Institute on Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Gamelan is the Javanese word for orchestra.The gamelan played by this ensemble is a large collection of percussive instruments playing resonant rhythmic and melodious tones with unusual vocal additions, explained Jana McFee, who teaches gamelan at Waldorf. The result is a complex mix of rhythm and elaboration that resonates and penetrates the room in its own unique way.Gamelan has become a regular part of the 5th grade curriculum at the Waldorf School, complementing the students' study of ancient history, from the Hindu legends of ancient India through the stories and history of ancient Greece. Many of the children have also played gamelan in the summer camp offered by McFee and Lucinda Herring. Through playing gamelan, the children experience what it is like to make music together in a complex and interrelated way similar to our Western orchestra, except that these instruments are much easier to play, McFee said.She added that the gamelan at the school is on loan from Cornish, where McFee studied.Tickets for the concert are $12 and $6, available in advance at the Waldorf School between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Seating is limited; call 341-5686 for more information.McFee noted that adult classes in gamelan are also offered periodically. Anyone interested can call her at 579-9352."

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