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Gamelan ensemble and Christian choir perform in unique collaboration

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Joko Sutrisno
Joko Sutrisno, artistic and music director of the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, adapts the Indonesian gamelan tradition to different styles of music.
Courtesy of the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota

The Good Samaritan United Methodist Church Chancel Choir plans to sing several traditional hymns at Friday's concert. In an unusual collaboration, they will perform together with gamelan musicians.

Gamelan music is common on the islands of Indonesia. In gamelan ensembles musicians sit on the floor while they play, working primarily with percussion and metallic bar instruments, gongs and tuned pots.

Bruce Kramer and Mary Shamrock
Bruce Kramer is the diretor of the Good Samaritan United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. Mary Shamrock is a musician in the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble and executive director of the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota.
MPR Photo/Julie Siple

Minnesota Public Radiop's Cathy Wurzer spoke with two musicians who will perform on Friday. Bruce Kramer is the director of the Good Samaritan United Methodist Chancel Choir, and Mary Shamrock is a member of the Twin Cities-based Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble.

Both musicians credit Jako Sutrisno, artistic and music director of the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, with bringing the two very different groups together.

Gallery
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Gamelan dancers
Dancers in the Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble.
Courtesy of the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota
1 of 4
Joko Sutrisno
Joko Sutrisno, artistic and music director of the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, adapts the Indonesian gamelan tradition to different styles of music.
Courtesy of the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota
2 of 4
Gamelan musicians
Musicans in the Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble.
Courtesy of the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota