Music at Hamilton
World Music
The Music Department owns a Javanese gamelan, an ensemble that consists of approximately 25 instruments: metallic keyed instruments similar to xylophones, hanging pots, pot gongs, drums and flute. Gamelan music is a shimmering blend of slow-moving melodies and interlocking melodic elaborations punctuated by gong strokes and intricate drumming patterns. Students in a variety of music courses have an opportunity to play in the gamelan, and some classes will gain enough skill to feature the gamelan in performances throughout the year. Students interested in studying gamelan should register for Mus 254 (Studies in World Music). Also, a group consisting of both students and faculty rehearses once a week when there is enough interest. Those interested in joining should contact Prof. Lydia Hamessley for more information.
The Music Department owns a set of Ghanaian Ewe drums and a set of Ghanaian Kete Drums. These instruments are used in several classes, and students perform publicly as part of those classes.Students interested in studying Ghanaian drumming should register for Mus 254 (Studies in World Music). Contact Prof. Lydia Hamessley for more information.
The Department also owns an African kora, African balafon, Zimbabwean mbiras, North Indian tabla, South Indian kanjiras, and open-back banjos.
