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Luminous Gamelan

Luminous Gamelan is a meeting place for contemporary music and gamelan, a place for music innovation and performance. We embrace music traditions that centre around percussion instruments. The Luminous Gamelan is an educational provider, and a producer of performance concepts focused on gamelan arts, world percussion music and related arts activities. Directed by composer Jon Keliehor, we have been located in Glasgow since 1996.

Luminous Music

Luminous Gamelan are linked directly to the organisation Luminous Music, well known for their innovative work in dance and educational communities in Scotland. Luminous Music are committed to new music for the gamelan, and run an independent recording label interested in helping other gamelan organisations develop and promote recordings.

Recordings

In 1994, Jon Keliehor co-produced the now sought after recording, TRANCE GONG, with Jarrad Powell of Gamelan Pacifica. This recording features a wide range of gamelan works by contemporary composers John Cage, Jarrad Powell, Jeff Morris, and Jon Keliehor.

In 2005 he produced FLOAT SOUND OBJECTS, a collection of new works for Gamelan Naga Mas, looking deeply into attitudes, environment and events surrounding the Indonesian Tsunami of 2005.

Jon Keliehor

Luminous Music is the primary online publishing house for the music of Jon Keliehor. Many of his compositions show a clear and empathetic relation to gamelan. While working for London Contemporary Dance Theatre between 1971-1985, references to Indonesian music began to emerge in his compositions for dance. Later with Gamelan Pacifica in Seattle, 1988, he began to write directly for gamelan. Rooted in world percussion, his music is contemporary. It continues to develop in surprising and unpredictable ways.

Recordings include:
FLOAT SOUND OBJECTS
TRANCE GONG
TIME OF DREAMS
IN DEEP
CLASS V
CELESTIAL NILE
CREATE MUSIC
OCEAN OF DREAMS
EAST MEETS WEST
SPIRAL IN ALCYONE
THE ANDROGYNE JOURNAL
TROY GAME

Luminous Education

The instruments of the Indonesian gamelan provide a special way to look at world culture. They allow insight into traditional music typical of South East Asian cultures, provide insights into our own music forms, and to contemporary world-music in general. Gamelan illuminates the understanding of old-growth values in music, providing seeds for renewal and future development.

Luminous Gamelan are one of several independent organisations within the membership of Gamelan Naga Mas that offer workshops for general and special educational needs. We encourage the direct study of traditional music, as well as indirect uses of gamelan instruments and resources for contemporary music.

See http://luminous-music.co.uk

Resource Workshops

Introduction to the gamelan orchestra

An essential introduction to the Gamelan. Hands-on sessions available at primary, secondary and adult levels. A valuable component for secondary schools curriculum.

Compose Yourself: Gamelan & Gongs

Following introductary workshops on a full set of gamelan instruments, pupils translate their experiences onto western instruments. They return to the gamelan with an increased awareness of ensemble, and making music. Orff creative-music approaches and game structure unlock the mysteries of the composer performer.

Imagination Mythmaking Workshops

A series of imagination-centred programmes bring the adventure of gamelan to children and parents through storymaking, puppets, myth and music; creating new mythologies of social importance.

Pushing Up the Sky

Based on American Indian mythology - participants engage in a story and music workshop that explores community, communication skills, and creative group identity.

Sky Dances and Other Constellation Stories

Children become part of the Celestial Gamelan Orchestra. providing music and drama for the Kiowa Seneca Indian tale “Forgets To Twinkle”.

Journey to Shadow World

Travelling across the threshold of visibility, participants must create music, tell stories, and dance in shadow to find their way home. Creative invention is imperative...but mind you, there are certain benefits to invisibility.

Magic River/ Return to Dragon Island

Outdoor music adventures for island traveling children, who must win the trust a residing dragon-landlord, and provide ceremonial music that could guaranty a safe passage home.

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