Ensembles
Singa Nglaras Gamelan Ensemble
Singa Nglaras means “relaxing lion” (the word “nglaras” means both to “relax” and “to harmonize, tune”). Formed in January 2004 by A/P Jan Mrazek and assisted since 2012 by Thow Xin Wei, the ensemble is supported by the NUS Department of Southeast Asian Studies. The ensemble is made up of students, alumni, and faculty of both NUS and Yale-NUS, together with members from outside the university. Our primary activity is weekly latihan (practice sessions) where we learn, socialise, and relax to this seriously relaxing music.
Apart from our annual performances at NUS South East Asia Night (organised by the Department of Southeast Asian Studies), the ensemble has also performed at Esplanade (2012-2014, 2020-2021), as well as at the Malay Heritage Centre in collaboration with Indonesia-based Guntur Mataram Dance Company (2013 to 2019). Additionally, we have worked together with Javanese Puppeteers and Dancers, notably Ki Purbo Asmoro (2006), Didik Nini Thowok (2009), Rianto (2014), Soerya Soemirat Dance Company (2016), Ki Aneng (2019) and Ki Catur Benyek Kuncoro (2019). Locally, we have collaborated with Gamelan Asmaradana, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy (2016), NAFA (2014 and 2019), Ruanatworkz (2017) and Skala (2020). A list of our performances can be found here.
Joining the Ensemble
Our weekly latihan are currently on Tuesday evenings. Everyone – both NUS and non-NUS – is welcome to attend. There are no fees, and no prior musical experience is necessary.
Time : 7.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue : NUS, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Block AS2,
Gamelan Room (#02-01)
(Near LT 11/ Behind the Café)
Additional details and contact information can be found at:
- SingaNglaras.wordpress.com
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/singa.nglaras
- https://www.instagram.com/singa.nglaras/
- Email: SingaNglaras (at) Gmail
Photo Gallery
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 courses on Southeast Asian art offered by the Department of Southeast Asian Studies.
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 courses offered by the Department of Southeast Asian Studies. 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.