(This is a later-post because that's just how I roll. )
The Gamelan Fiesta was a full house event. And judging from the cheers, I can bet that half the people in the audience are current Siglap students or ex-students.
It was fascinating to me how much work the instructors and teachers do to coordinate such a huge event. And to be able to be part of it, I was very grateful.
Because, my relationship with the Djoko group, was at best, considered a relative interest. I was in a gamelan club for a year (which went ok..it was no doubt fun but the club never felt like a place I truly belonged in)
But the Instructors had been very welcoming to me from the start. I wasn't as good as the rest, of course, but no one particularly made it a big issue while I struggled to keep up with the rest.
For the Fiesta, I was offered a violin part, which was kinda awesome because it was something I am familiar with, but also scary because I am not performance worthy on it.
And watching the replays... It sounded kinda bad...lol
The director has a very interesting personality. I've only ever had one real talk to him about his work, but his motivations...inspires me to believe.
