Gamelan and Djembe-based Short Courses and other events

The University welcomes enquiries from schools and other organisations wishing to savour the sounds of Javanese gamelan or west African djembe drumming. The two highly experienced tutors who coach these ensembles for the University normally lead sessions for external groups. They both developed their skills in the countries where these musical traditions originated.

There are two mechanisms by which visits can be arranged. Each is described briefly below.

Short Courses

A Short Course is an individually-booked workshop, or day of workshops, the date of which is negotiated with the ensemble leader(s) according to a visiting group's availability and preference. A Short Course normally provides an introduction to the instruments and basic playing technique, and focuses on first-hand practical experience via learning simple repertoire. More advanced work can be arranged on request.

"All of the instruments sounded beautiful, and I liked the way they were decorated."

"I learned that you had to take your shoes off and you are not allowed to walk over the instruments - you have to walk round them."

"It was the best couple of hours of my life!"

Student feedback, St Mary's C of E Primary School, Chessington

Groups

We also offer our short courses to 'closed groups', e.g. a group of people from one establishment, such as a company or school. For closed group bookings, we can often provide the short course at a venue outside the University (e.g. on company premises). Contact us for details.

We welcome bookings from groups, and can hold group reservations without payment for only 2 weeks, or 3 weeks before the start of the course, whichever is sooner. If no payment has been received by the end of the holding period, the places will be released.

"The half-day gamelan workshop takes the children into a new world of music-making. They are thrilled by the resonance of the instruments, and enjoy the challenge of playing their own part in the ensemble."

Paul Taylor, St Mary's C of E Primary School, Chessington

How to apply

Cost: £175 per workshop

• If you are interested in this type of event, more details can be obtained by downloading a Short Course Information Leaflet (PDF file, 139 KB), which also describes the booking procedure.
• Making a booking? Please download a Short Course Booking Form (PDF file, 117 KB) to confirm the arrangement. Short Courses cannot be confirmed formally before a booking form is received by the University and workshop tutor.