Pitt's University Gamelan Ensemble to Perform Music and Puppetry of Indonesia at Annual Concerts April 11 and 12

PITTSBURGH—The University Gamelan Ensemble will perform the rich and exotic musical sounds of Indonesia during its annual concerts at 8 p.m.

April 11 and 12, in the Bellefield Hall Auditorium, 315 S. Bellefield Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students, and free to Pitt students with a valid I.D. For more information, call 412-624-4125.

The gamelan is a 40-piece collection of large and small gongs, chimes, xylophone-like keyed instruments, and drums. It was custom made in Java, the main island of Indonesia, and was shipped here in 1995 after being obtained through funding from the Pitt Music Department; the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) dean's office; and Friends of Music at Pitt. Members of the gamelan ensemble sit cross-legged on the stage floor and strike the instruments with padded mallets, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Andrew Weintraub, producing the rich and enchanting music of Java.

Included in this year's performance is an hour-long traditional Indonesian puppet show, translated into English and accompanied by gamelan music. Special guests include puppeteer and University of California, Santa Cruz, Theatre Arts Professor Kathy Foley, master drummer Undang Sumarna, and Kenyon College Assistant Professor of Music Henry Spiller.

There are 12 members of the University Gamelan Ensemble, including students from Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University and members of the community.

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