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From Glee Club to Gamelan: A Musical Journey from East to West

Austin Ford

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Published in Music At Wesleyan: From Glee Club To Gamelan (Garnet Books)

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Music at Wesleyan: From Glee Club to Gamelan (Garnet Books)

by Mark Slobin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	116321 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	95 pages

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by music. I started taking piano lessons when I was six years old, and I quickly fell in love with the instrument. I spent hours practicing each day, and I soon began composing my own songs.

In high school, I joined the glee club, and I had the opportunity to sing in a variety of different styles. I loved the feeling of being part of a group, and I made some lifelong friends in the club.

After graduating from high school, I decided to pursue my passion for music by attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Berklee, I studied jazz piano and composition. I also had the opportunity to study gamelan, a traditional Indonesian percussion ensemble.

Gamelan music is very different from Western music. It is based on a system of interlocking melodies, and it is often played in a trance-like state. I was immediately drawn to the beauty and complexity of gamelan music, and I soon began to learn how to play the instruments.

After graduating from Berklee, I moved to Indonesia to study gamelan music further. I lived in Indonesia for two years, and I had the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest gamelan musicians in the world.

I returned to the United States in 2010, and I have been teaching gamelan music ever since. I am also a member of several gamelan ensembles, and I perform regularly throughout the United States.

From Glee Club to Gamelan

My journey from glee club to gamelan has been a long and winding one. It has taken me to different parts of the world, and it has introduced me to different cultures and musical traditions. Along the way, I have learned a great deal about music and about myself.

I believe that music is a universal language. It can be used to communicate emotions, ideas, and stories. Music can also be used to bring people together. I hope that my book will inspire others to explore different musical cultures and to find the beauty and joy that music has to offer.

In this book, you will learn about:

The history of gamelan music
The different types of gamelan instruments
How to play gamelan music
The role of gamelan music in Indonesian culture
My personal experiences learning and playing gamelan music

Whether you are a musician, a music lover, or simply someone who is curious about different cultures, I hope you will find something to enjoy in this book.

Reviews

"From Glee Club to Gamelan is a fascinating and informative book that will appeal to music lovers of all backgrounds. [Author's name] writes with passion and enthusiasm, and his love for gamelan music is evident on every page."

- [Reviewer's Name]

"This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in gamelan music or Indonesian culture. [Author's name] provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, and he does so in a clear and engaging way."

- [Reviewer's Name]