About Us

A row of gamelan players viewed from the side. Six people wearing bright batik shirts and playing saron-family instruments with wooden mallets

Siswå Sukrå is a vibrant London-based community gamelan group that brings the rich musical traditions of central Java to life through dynamic performance and cultural exchange.

The group originated as part of the ground-breaking gamelan programme at the Southbank Centre, and has evolved into a highly respected ensemble that meets and plays regularly at the Indonesian Embassy in Westminster, London.

Under the expert guidance of Pete Smith and David McKenny, some of the the UK’s leading gamelan musicians and educators, Siswå Sukrå performs a wide-ranging repertoire, from classical court music to lively village pieces. We play music for various occasions, including klenèngan (environmental music), concerts and regular collaborations with Javanese dancers and shadow-puppeteers (wayang kulit).

The name Siswå Sukrå literally means ‘Friday students’, which was the night the group rehearsed for decades. Friday nights are traditionally considered a super-charged magical night when special things can happen!

Siswå Sukrå resembles a traditional community group in Java, with people of mixed ages and experience all playing and learning together as part of an age-old continuum.

What We Do

  • Performances: We regularly perform in London and across the UK, offering concerts and flexible and exciting music for all occasions. Visit our Book Us page for more information.
  • Cultural Exchange: In 2017 we toured Java, performing in Jakarta, and Surakarta and Yogyakarta in central Java. The tour was sponsored by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture and showcased the strong link between UK and Javanease gamelan communities. The tour included village and academy concerts, workshops, and first performances (percobaan) on new gamelan.
  • International Recognition: Our work has been internationally recognised; in 2018, we were invited back to Java to perform in the prestigious ‘Homecoming’ international gamelan festival in Surakarta.
  • Community and Inclusion: True to the spirit of community gamelan, our group welcomes players of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels.

Join Us

Whether you're a musician, a curious beginner, or simply captivated by the mesmerising sounds of gamelan, Siswå Sukrå welcomes new members. Visit our classes page for more information on how to get involved.

Support and Collaborate

We are actively seeking partnerships with:

  • Funders who share our commitment to cultural exchange, community music, and cross-cultural understanding.
  • Concert Promoters interested in booking an ensemble that offers something genuinely unique on the UK music scene.
  • Artists and educators looking to collaborate on performances, workshops, or education initiatives.

Your support helps us bring Javanese gamelan to new audiences, deepen intercultural understanding, and nurture musical talent across generations.

Get in Touch

Would you like to join the group? Book a performance? Support our next project? We would love to hear from you.

Send us a message here

You can also join our mailing list to receive updates on upcoming concerts and workshops. [insert mailing list button here]