In some of these modules, students also have the opportunity to learn to play the Javanese gamelan and Thai musical instruments. Playing the instruments bring students beyond books and lectures and into the experience of Southeast Asian arts, making learning at Southeast Asian Studies a truly enjoyable and memorable experience.

Experience our Musical Ensembles here online >>

SEA Music and Dance Night 2008 (click thumbnails to view larger images)

Videos NUS Thai Music Ensemble performance with the Princess Thai music performance by SE3221 students Southeast Asian Night 2007 by NUS Thai Music Ensemble Southeast Asian Night 2008 by SE3221 students

Students can study Javanese gamelan and classical Thai music in these modules:

• SE2221 Old and New Music in Southeast Asian

• SE2214 Arts of Southeast Asia

• SE3210 Studies in Southeast Asian Arts

• SE3221 Traditional Music in a Southeast Asian Country

• SE5222 The Arts in Contemporary Southeast Asia.

THE NUS SINGA NGLARAS GAMELAN ENSEMBLE

Managed by musical director, Dr Jan Mrázek of the Southeast Asian Studies Programme, the NUS Singa Nglaras Gamelan Ensemble was formed in January 2004. Members of the ensemble are mainly NUS students and faculty members. However, there are also several non-NUS members who are part of the ensemble.

The name Singa Nglaras means “relaxing lion”; the word nglaras means both to relax and to harmonise, or tune. True to its name, the ensemble’s primary motivation is the relaxed enjoyment and appreciation of gamelan music. Nonetheless, the ensemble also believe that gamelan music can be enjoyed more and better appreciated if members continue learning and delving into more intricate aspects of gamelan music and play more complex musical compositions.

On top of weekly group rehearsals, the ensemble also plays music for accompaniment of dance and theatre performances. Apart from dancers, such as Nunuk Sri Rahayu who regularly performs with the ensemble, guest musicians and puppeteers from Indonesia are also frequently invited to perform with the ensemble.

Joining the Gamelan Ensemble

All NUS students are welcomed to join the ensemble. No prior musical experience is required as training will be provided. Membership is free and students become members of the Gamelan Student Society. Members are expected to commit to attend weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. To join the ensemble, please contact Assoc Prof Jan Mrázek at seajm@nus.edu.sg.

NUS THAI MUSIC ENSEMBLE

At the proposal of Dr Jan Mrázek and Dr Titima Suthiwan in 2004, a large set of classical Thai musical instruments was gifted to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Since then, the study and appreciation of Thai music has been incorporated into several modules on Southeast Asian art offered by the Southeast Asian Studies Programme.

The NUS Thai Music Ensemble, led by Dr Jan Mrázek, first began with a group of enthusiasts who met weekly to practice Thai music. Lecturers from Thailand, including Professor Pichit Chaissaree and Ms Paphutsorn Wongratanapitak, have been hired by NUS on several occasions to coach the ensemble and teach Thai music in a couple of modules offered by the Southeast Asian Studies Programme. With the expertise of these coaches, the ensemble has been able to attract many students who are now seriously playing and studying Thai music. While a majority of the members of the ensemble are NUS students and faculty members, there are also several non-NUS members who are part of the ensemble.

The NUS Thai Music Ensemble performs on various occasions, with the Southeast Asia Night being its main annual performance since 2006. The ensemble has also performed at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the Asian Civilization Museum, the University Cultural Centre, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. The ensemble also performs on festive occasions at a Thai Buddhist temple. In 2007, the ensemble had the honour of performing with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in an event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Her Royal Highness’s visit to Singapore. Most of the ensemble’s performances is accompanied by classical Thai dance, performed by Nunuk Sri Rahayu, an Indonesian dancer who studies Thai dance. The ensemble has also had joint performances with visiting musicians from Srinakharinwirot University, the Luang Pradit Phairoh Foundation and students and teachers from the Chulalongkorn University. For an up to date information on the ensembles performances and activities, please visit http://nusthaimusicensemble.blogspot.com.

Joining/Hiring NUS Thai Music Ensemble

All NUS students are welcomed to join the ensemble. To join the ensemble or hire the ensemble for events, please contact Assoc Prof Jan Mrázek at seajm@nus.edu.sg.