YST Cultural Encounters: Bali Excursion and Study Tour (BEST) 11 – 26 May 2019

Study traditional Indonesian music and in Bali

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music is currently accepting applications to join the 2019 Bali Excursion and Study Tour (BEST), which will take place immediately after 2018/19 Semester 2 ends, from 11-26 May. Now in its 11th year, this trip is open to all students who have some degree of proficiency on any instrument (voice included).

Students spend the trip learning different forms of Indonesian . Additionally, students put together a concert including standard repertoire, arrangements, and group compositions for a performance in the Bunutan Festival (the village where we’ll be staying). It will be an exciting two weeks of music-making (and the food is delicious!).

You should be aware that this is a very intensive two weeks of learning and playing – it will not be just a vacation in Bali. While there will be excursions and free time in the evenings and weekends, as well as a cultural tour that includes a trip to unique Balinese temples and other places of interest, the daily schedule is full and you will be expected to participate in all activities with your best effort. Please see the sample schedule below for an idea of your daily activities.

There will be course fees amounting to around S$1000 paid directly to the YST Conservatory. You will also need some money of your own for your personal travel, shopping, and snacks – I estimate around S$300 would cover all outside costs, but that is of course a case-by-case basis.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE (MONDAY – FRIDAY)

Time Activity 8.00 – 9.00am Breakfast 9.00 – 9.55am Gamelan Sunda / Sundanese Dance 10.00 – 10.55am / Baleganjur 11.00 – 11.50am Gamelan Gong Kebyar / 12.00 – 1.00pm Lunch 1.00 – 1.55pm Gender / Kacapi / Suling 2.00 – 2.55pm Jegog 3.30 – 5.00pm Collaborative Project Work 5.00 – 6.00pm Dinner 7.00pm Temple Visit / Performances / Guest Presentations

We will be staying in Bunutan Village, which is a short distance from Ubud. Students will stay in a shared villa located in the village, which includes private baths with hot water, air-conditioning and kitchen facilities. Here are links to short videos from past year’s trips, to give you an idea of what’s in store: Bali BEST 2017 as well as Bali BEST 2018.

This programme is being offered as a 4 MC Special Term Course. As such, you will need to register for the course after being accepted to attend. Assessment will be based on how well students interact with other musicians in the group, and to what degree they actively contribute to the goals of the group. Assessment will also factor in active participation in the tutorials and seminars held by the instructors in Bali, as well as playing in the various ensembles. Students will need to demonstrate an understanding of the techniques of the instruments, as well as the forms and structures of the different types of music.

At the end of the course, students will produce a self-reflective document of the experience. The work may include video, audio, and photos from the course in an electronic document (i.e., a Powerpoint presentation, a wiki, or a website). The reflection should discuss the student’s experiences of learning music from another culture, attempt to answer larger questions of how this becomes valuable to them for their own personal development.

To apply, please send an email registering your interest to [email protected] by Friday 8 March, to let me know that you are interested and available for the entire duration of activities. Please include: - Your full name; - Year of study; - Your instrument; - Why you are interested to go, and how you feel you can contribute to the project. Do note the deadline for responding. I will be noting who contacts me sooner rather than later.

Please feel free also to contact me for more details about any aspect of the project. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Ty Constant Associate Professor, Professional Integration Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music National University of Singapore 3 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117376 www.ystmusic.nus.edu.sg Tel: (65) 6516 3362 HP: (65) 9173 7896 Fax: (65) 6872 6915