Many US Students Interested To Learn Angklung

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Many U.S. students in Houston have shown their interest to learn how to play the Angklung, an Indonesian traditional musical instrument made of bamboo tubes, according to the Indonesian consul general in Houston, Al Busyra Basnur.

They expressed their interest to learn the angklug during the Indonesian promotion event entitled "Around the World International Fair" held at the University of St. Thomas in cooperation with the Indonesian consulate general in Houston over the weekend, he said.

Dozens of U.S. students visited the Indonesian stand at the International Fair in an effort to sound a tone and play the angklung. "They also asked where to buy the angklung and where to study the Indonesian musical instrument," Al Busyra said.

The angklung is a musical instrument made of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved to have a resonant pitch when struck and are tuned to octaves.

The base of the frame is held in one hand, whilst the other hand strikes the instrument. This causes a repeating note to sound. Each of three or more performers in an angklung ensemble play just one note or more, but altogether complete melodies are produced.

During the Indonesian promotion event, the country's students also displayed wayang, batik cloth and several Indonesian traditional foods such as fried rice, risol and klepon.

Meanwhile, Houston chapter chairperson of the Indonesian students association in the United States (Permias) Vita Alwina Daravonsky Busyra who led the promotion event said many visitors also asked about the Indonesian diversity of arts and culture including how to make batik cloth.

The participants of the event which was organized by the International Students Association were among other things from Norway, Ireland, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Turkey, Mexico, Colombia, Guyana, France, China and Indonesia.(*/T007)