Classes

Although Siswa Sukra means ‘Friday Students’, our classes currently happen on Wednesday evenings at the Indonesian Embassy in Westminster, London.

We run three, ten-week terms per year during the Autumn, Spring and Summer for intermediate and advanced players.

Beginners' Class

Due to access limitations, we are currently not able to run a beginners group. If you are interested, please do get in contact to register your interest and we will let you know when the classes restart.

Intermediate Class

Wednesdays: 5.30pm-7.00pm

£125 for 10 classes. (£100 for senior citizens, unwaged and those in full time education)

These intermediate gamelan sessions are for adults with some experience of playing Javanese gamelan, with at least 1 year's worth of learning, or the equivalent experience.

The sessions will focus on more advanced aspects of technique and repertoire. They will include studies of various playing styles of bonang and kendhang (drum), for different types of pieces. You will develop your ability to 'garap' (how to interpret) the basic structure of a piece and create your part from it.

Developing these skills and understanding will open doors to play more varied types of repertoire over time.

The teaching element will bevfrom 5.30-7.00pm. You are welcome and encouraged to stay beyond 7pm to listen and participate in the advanced session where it is possible. This will help put into practice some of the skills learnt, and hopefully in time, give you the experience and confidence to join the advanced group.

These sessions are not for complete beginners.

Advanced Class

Wednesdays: 7pm - 9pm

£150 pounds/term. (£120 for senior citizens, unwaged and those in full time education)

These advanced sessions are for adults with at least 1 year of playing in an intermediate group or prior membership of a community, university or college gamelan group.

These sessions will include advanced study on bonang, vocal and drumming styles as well as longer gendhing, including repertoire for dance and wayang shadow theatre.

We will also use these sessions for preparation for performances that happen from time to time and which we hope you will take part in.