INTRODUCTION

Our Gamelan Team is a Malay tradition of gamelan. It is quite different compared to the Javanese. The different are the laras (tuning system), patet (sub-melodies), types and number of instruments used, repertoires and gaya main (the ways/arts of playing).The concept of gamelan’s music are cyclic, repetitive, colotomic instrument, decorative instrument, anticipate instrument and interwoven.

HISTORY AT A GLANCE

Gamelan Team of Ahmad High School was established on 1998. The idea of establishment was inspired by Mr. Nor Azman Bin Nor Azli, the music teacher during that time. Gamelan was quite neglected because of no attention from government. The entering of Western music to Malaysia also contributed to the neglected of gamelan because no youngsters want to learn the art of playing gamelan.With the quotation of RM 30 000, Ahmad High School managed to buy one set of gamelan instrument from Solo, Indonesia. The school administration had sent the 7 persons of pioneer group to study the gamelan from the gamelan player of Pahang Royal Court.Now, our gamelan team have two sets of gamelan instrument and has succeed to raise the interest of gamelan in the society especially the youngsters. The school administration also provided the 'balai gamelan' (an official place to keep the gamelan instrument) for our facilities.

EDUCATIONAL

We always regards to the gamelan player of Pahang Royal Court.

COLLECTIONS

Our team had managed to collect about 50 songs of gamelan traditional repertoires. We also composed new repertoires from the Malay Ethnic hits songs like Madu dan Racun and Dikir Puteri.

PLAYERS

At this time, we got 7 well-trained players that will ready for any occasions and about 5 apprentices as additional or reserved players.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Our team was awarded as The Best Gamelan Team for Pahang State’s Schools. We also won the second place for the gamelan competition during Malaysia Gamelan Festivals on August 27th, 2003. We were also invited to perform the gamelan at the official function for government department, traditional wedding ceremonies, cultural and art shows and the invitation from the Royalties of Pahang.

Hasil Karya Saudara : Muhammad Syaraff
Alamat : PP 44 Jalan Istana Permai, 26600, Pekan,  Pahang Darul Makmur
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it