Margaret Bradley has been exploring Indonesian music and culture for more than twenty years while performing in Indonesia and Australia as a soloist and with Bodiswara, Sirkus Barock, Alan Dargin, Djaelani, Dody Satya Ekagustdiman, Ismet Ruchimat, Robert Lloyd and Musicians, Mandiri, Balai, Meritja, and Arafura. Originally a graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium, she completed her Master of Music degree at UNSW with a thesis on the kacapi zither and developments in Sundanese music from West Java. She has studied karawitan (traditional music) at STSI Bandung while developing and performing her own unique sound. As well as having written songs for children learning Indonesian, she continues to compose music reflecting the Australian Indonesian cultural mix. Her solo schools performance entitled Exploring Indonesian Music has been performed for hundreds of schools and other educational institutions throughout NSW, ACT, SA and Victoria. She recorded kacapi zither and saron on 400 Miles from Darwin for The Whitlams Love This City CD, and was consultant and composer/musician for one of the ABC’s Play School programs. An episode of ABC Education’s Music Moves series shows an excerpt from her Kecak workshop. She continues to develop her compositional style with her Sydney based group Songket and presently teaches multimedia at Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre.

Exploring the Music of Indonesia

Session Abstract

Embracing the notion that everyone can play music, Margaret invites participants to take part in this exploration of the music of Indonesia. Margaret performs a short introduction before creating various ensembles including angklung, kendang, rebana, kemenak and keprak. Workshop participants are introduced to the Indonesian concept of interlocking rhythms through performing the kecak (Balinese vocal rhythms). The vocal patterns then form the basis of the rhythms played once the instruments are handed out. Emphasis is placed on cooperation and the group dynamic as in various Indonesian music ensembles including the gamelan. Different styles of angklung are introduced as well as various rebana techniques and the Sundanese (West Javanese) senggak vocal calls. The workshops are equally enjoyable for children and adults alike, and provide participants with materials and concepts that they can use to create their own music.