Since 1998, Luminous Music have introduced the instruments of the Indonesian
gamelan to many groups of primary and secondary pupils in Scotland and England.
Through courses and workshops such as: Introduction To The Indonesian Gamelan
Orchestra, as well as a range of children
’s performance workshops for Glasgow’s Inspiration Festival, the instruments of the gamelan have reached out to many
children and adults, to nearly 40 different school groups both in Scotland and
England.
INTRODUCTION TO THE GAMELAN ORCHESTRA
An essential introduction to the Gamelan. Over the course of a single session an
orchestra is formed that performs cohesively, experiencing music at a highly
interactive level.
Participants as young as 7 or 8 can enjoy this session as they learn music from
the Indonesian tradition developing musical skills along the way.
This program is aimed to enlarge cultural experience, and to allow participants
to return with musical knowledge that will enhance their own cultural
activities. Previous musical experience is helpful, though not essential.
PUSHING UP THE SKY
Based on American Indian story mythology Pushing Up The Sky is a music, story
and movement event of about two hours duration exploring community,
communication and group identity. Maker had made the sky far too low, and had
created far to many languages as well. People couldn
’t understand one another didn’t get along. Changer devised a plan to unite the people to a common purpose.
Here participants learn the music of the gamelan as it follows the storyline of
two slightly dispirited communities, who must learn to act together to return
the Sky (which was too low) to it
’s proper domain.
A music and movement event of about two hours duration. Everyone moves, everyone
makes music.
Suitable for mixed-age primary, as well as additional needs groups.
SKY DANCES AND OTHER CONSTELLATION STORIES (FORGETS TO TWINKLE)
Forgets-To-Twinkle is a fully participatory, story workshop based on a
mythological narrative from the North American Kiowa Seneca Indians. Luminous
combine the talents of dance animators, storytellers and musicians in a cross
cultural performance workshop. Children participate as dancers, actors and
musicians.
A full gamelan orchestra and a special collection of percussion instruments
provide music that enchants the story. Children join the Celestial Orchestra,
learn African drumming and singing, along with dance and movement in the act of
cosmic storytelling. Creating new mythologies of social importance,
participants take a hands-on experience devising all aspects of their
adventures.
The workshop is suitable for mixed-age primary, as well as additional needs
groups. It can be presented over a full or a half day in a large open space. Up
to 45 participants.
JOURNEY TO THE SHADOW WORLD
This workshop follows a trans-dimensional theme in keeping with Halloween.
Participants cross over the threshold of visibility into a shadow world where
invisibles live. Creative invention is imperative to regain the ability to
cross back. Children sing, tell stories, make music and dance in shadow, in an
attempt to find their way home. Returning may be a challenge but participants
also discover certain benefits to invisibility.
A selection of gamelan and percussion instruments provide just the right
atmosphere as teams of musicians form to help the others regain their creative
powers.
Suitable for children ages 7 - 12, who have some interesting decisions to make
about regaining and cultivating visibility. Ideal capacity 15-20, negotiable. 2
hours
MAGIC RIVER/ RETURN TO DRAGON ISLAND
The adventure begins as the children board the boat departing for their holiday
to the Island of Hills and Flowers.
The children arrive only to discover a terribly rude hand-written sign directing
them to leave the island immediately.
It seems that the Island now belongs to a powerful dragon who lives in a castle,
and no strangers are allowed!
But alas, the boat has departed. Now the children will have to stay. They need to find out if the dragon will permit them to play on the island or
will force them to leave.
There might be danger ahead!
Can we offer a gift to appease the dragon or will we have to fight? Maybe we had better prepare for both possibilities. Music must be made and
dances learned.
This 1-2 hour workshop is suitable for children from 4 to 8 years of age. It can be enacted outdoors or in a large indoor space.
