MYP 2 - World Music

My MYP 2 students have been studying world music, in particular music from Indonesia. The Gamelan orchestra is as different to western music as you can get; thick textures, new timbres, spiritual significance in the way the orchestra is played and revered, and stunningly beautiful. My students have been brilliant in coming to terms with this new music. But, what has really thrown me is how easily and sincerely they picked it up, and performed it. Last night at our end of term extravaganza these students sat and played Gamelan as if they had been doing it all their lives, and captivated the audience. But what has astonished me, is how naturally they took it in their stride; “yes, this is Gamelan. Yep, it’s different to us. Yep we can play it and connect with it”. If this is the voice of the next generation, then things really are starting to look up. Let’s credit our youngsters with more than just wearing hoodies.