Are you still deciding on classes for next semester? Midiyanto is a Javanese musician and puppeteer who will be in residence at the University of Michigan for the first six weeks of the Winter 2014 semester. He will be teaching a Javanese Puppet Theater Workshop and performing a Gamelan Concert on Saturday, February 15th at 8:00 pm at the Walgreen Drama Center. Please read below for opportunities to get involved with Javanese puppet theatre and music. 

Javanese Puppet Theater Workshop
Winter 2014
Midiyanto

University of Michigan is very lucky to have famed Javanese shadow artist and gamelan teacher Midiyanto teach at UM for this mini course. This is a rare opportunity to study with this skilled artist and experienced teacher. Javanese shadow puppet theater (wayang) is one of the great classical puppet traditions in the world. Javanese puppetry depicts ancient epic stories, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata that have been told and re-told for centuries and still are vital tropes in the lives of Asians today. Students will learn how to manipulate the puppets, develop the dialogue and give voice to the puppets. No prior experience necessary. For information, contact Susan Walton, swalton@umich.edu.

RC HUMS 485 (meets with RC THTREMUS 399 and Asian 480), W 6:00-8:00 PM, Jan 7- Feb 12, 361 Moore (Gamelan Room in the School of Music), 1 credit

Javanese Gamelan Music 
Winter 2014
Ho-Chak Law

Learn to play the dynamic, subtle, transcendent music of the Javanese Gamelan! These classes are for people who want to experience a musical tradition totally different from western folk, rock or classical music. The gamelan is an ensemble of gongs, metallophones, drums, xylophone, a few stringed instruments, and singers. Students who take this course will have a unique and exciting opportunity to participate in a performance of a Javanese music concert led by Midiyanto, an experienced Javanese musician-pedagogue who will be teaching the classes for the first six weeks of the semester. No previous knowledge of Indonesia or of music is expected. These courses are open to all students, undergraduate and graduate in all departments of the university. If you are a beginning student and the class time does not work for you, or if you have any question about the arrangement of course credit and class time, please contact Ho-Chak Law: hclaw@umich.edu. 

Ensemble 406 (13564) Beginning Gamelan, one credit, Tuesday 4-5:30pm, 361 Moore [from January 8 to March 1] / 201 Stearns [from March 2 to April 22]

Ensemble 407 (13565) Advanced Gamelan, one or two credits, Tuesday and Thursday 6-7:30pm, 361 Moore [from January 8 to March 1] / Tuesday and Friday 5:30-7:30pm, 201 Stearns [from March 2 to April 22]

Gamelan Concert
Saturday, February 15, 2014
8:00pm
Walgreen Drama Center, Stamps Auditorium

The Javanese gamelan, an ensemble of drums, gongs, and metallophones, will be performing Javanese classical music and dance under the direction of famous Javanese musician and puppeteer Midiyanto, who will be in residence for the first six weeks of the Winter 2014 semester, teaching gamelan as well as a min-course on Javanese puppetry. The concert will feature two dance pieces and a piece for gamelan and double bass by Lou Harrison. This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.