About Udjo Angklung

Company Profile of Saung Angklung Udjo

VISION AND MISSION OF SAUNG ANGKLUNG UDJO

VISION

Saung Angklung Udjo is a main tourist attraction, typically performing the traditional ar of Sundanese culture. It’s concerned to the preservation and development of West Java Arts and Culture through Angklung music.

As a centre of research and study, training, and performing Angklung musical orchestra of the Indonesian Angklung music industry.

MISSION

Being active in participate in cooperate with people in developing and preserving cultural and arts of West Java through art performances both abroad and domestic.

Give means for international tourist and Indonesian pupil to be able to see, to learn, and appreciate Angklung as a traditional music instrument.

Produces and develops a qualified Angklung music instrument.

SAUNG ANGKLUNG UDJO’S PROGRAMS

> Regular Performances

Performing a Bamboo Afternoon Performance from Monday to Sunday, from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

> Caruban Budaya Sunda

The interesting educational concept show arranged especially for group of school students. And also could be arrange based on the order by requests. Starts from 9 am to 11 am for elementary and junior school, actually, it is an introductory of arts and cultures to its students.

> Your Special Performance Programs

Arranged based on special requests for instant, such as: Birthday party, wedding functions, MICE functions, and etc, and also could be arranged at the requested place.

> Paseban Hall and Atmospheric Garden

Our Paseban and Garden are able to accommodate 800 persons capacity, really suitable for your special occasions such as wedding ceremony, birthday party, and etc.

> Training

We are available in providing Training Program for new Angklung orchestra group and training for its trainer also.

> Angklung for Management Training

The special program arranged for empowering manpower and team building with traditional and new, different, and simple touch.

> Music Instrument Gallery and Souvenirs

Producing Angklung instruments for internal and external necessity, both for educational purposes, entertainment, or any other purposes, and also any other kind of traditional handicrafts.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

1968, by Governor of Jakarta
Awarded "Active participated in traditional music development, especially in Angklung".

1971, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Active participated in West Java Tourism International Exhibition".

1975, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Arts and Cultural Award for its cooperation to grow and develop the Sundanese arts and cultures".

1983, by Tourism Department Office Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Active participated in conserve and preserve the Sundanese arts and cultures".

1985, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Active participated in conserve and preserve the West Java arts and cultures".

1991, by Tourism, Postal, and Telecommunication Minister of Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Active participated in conserve, preserve, and enrich the National arts and cultures".

1992, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Active participated in KTT Non Blok X in Jakarta".

1992, by Tourism, Postal, and Telecommunication Minister of Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Masterpiece Award of Tourism, Postal, and Telecommunication".

1994, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Masterpiece Award of West Java".

1994, by Governor of West Java
Awarded "Being recorded as one of the main centre and subject as Angklung Innovator to Udjo Ngalagena the Late".

1996, by PATA
Awarded "Heritage Award".

1997, by Tourism, Postal, and Telecommunication Minister of Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Masterpiece Award of Tourism, Postal, and Telecommunication".

1997, by The President of Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Masterpiece Award of National Tourism".

2000, by Fantasi Anak – Children Magazine
Awarded "Udjo Ngalagena the Late being recorded as the father of Music Innovator together with A.T. Machmud".

2004, by PATA
Awarded "PATA Heritage and Culture Gold Award Presented by PATA in Jeju Island, South Korea".

2004, by Arts, Cultural, and Tourism Minister of Republic of Indonesia
Awarded "Indonesia Tourism Achievement and Inovations Awards of Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta".

Udjo ngalagena

The Biography of
The Founding Father – Udjo Ngalagena

The story of Saung Angklung Udjo as a social phenomenon, why do we called it as a social phenomenon because in the middle of globalization and modernization Saung Angklung Udjo still has its pride to dedications to conserve, preserve, and develop the Sundanese Traditional Arts and Culture, is more like talking about the journey of Udjo Ngalagena as the founding father of Saung Angklung Udjo. His paths of discovering Saung Angklung Udjo and made it grown also a very touching story to discuss. We all could say that Saung Angklung Udjo is more like Udjo Ngalagena himself. Udjo Ngalagena is one of a great man and also a gentleman to the idea of independency and success.

Udjo Ngalagena is the 6th Son from Wiranta the Late and Imi the Late. Udjo was had no official birth legal letter. His mother told him that he was born at midday at Tuesday, around 1 pm, it was about the 40th day after his grand – father passed away. Due to the necessity of official matters and other necessity related to the school administration, so, his birthday fixed by his own considerations. Until now, he made his birthday at March 5th, 1929, and used until now for the records.Actually, his parents gave his name only “Udjo” that has similarity with his siblings only consists of 2 words, such as: Oneh, Udjen, Idjah, Eroh, Edja, and Ela. After they grown, they added their last name, and so is Udjo, he added NGALAGENA afterward. He thought that Ngalagena had good meaning, such as: nice, hope, and independency. So, he thought His name would be good to hear, and his name will also represent his hope to live independent.

Like the kids in that period of time, Little Udjo studied his elementary at Hollandsch Inlandsche School (HIS). Beside at HIS, he also continued his study at the village’s school with his playmate. To afford his necessity of school budget, he works as a herd – boy to the rich at his village. He was also selling a blocked – ice to add his pocket money. As he studied at the school, he only had a pair of shoes. In that time, Shoes was a privilege, so, he took care of it very well, his tips was “just use the shoes in the school only, so, wrapped the shoes in the bag, and went back bare naked feet”. The only reason why he did that was, he earned many things alone, with all the hard works, so he must took care everything neat and good. That kind of informal education that made him the way he was, a GREAT NOBEL GENTLEMAN, with deep character of full of responsible, that made his marks and paths as a good role model for the youngster.

All his experiences and the related duties he involved in, never far from the educational sides. The nature of the Educator seems already soaked in his blood and soul even after he retired, he still had big willingness to spread all the knowledge, information, and experiences to anyone. In Saung Angklung Udjo, he made his marks by made some wisdom that carved in the wall. The wisdom that made him the way he is. His notes placed in many strategic points, so other could read easily, especially in Musician’s waiting room, and Angklung storage that used to be use for the regular performances. One of the very best is:

(In Sundanese),
Ceuceub ka hiji jalmi hartosna nyiksa ka diri sorangan
Kukituna dunya jadi heurin
Naon rugelna jadi jalmi anu someah
Naon rugelna jadi jalmi anu leah

(In English),
Having hatred in someone meant that we torturing ourselves, that’s why the world became a nasty place to live in.
What to lose to be a kind – hearted persons?
What to lose to be wise and respected persons?

In the musician’s waiting room, there were more than 20 words of wisdom, in the souvenir shop it had 1 and 2 others placed in the production’s site and in the backstage. It had a beautiful purposes, so his students will read it and will always be remembered to the words of wisdom, and so the could use it in their daily lives.

Little Udjo already started his musical, arts, and cultures, since he was a boy, in the age of 4, he already familiar with the Angklung that already known in his neighbourhood. Angklung used to play in the traditional ceremony, and any other activities that using the traditional musical instruments. He learnt the diatonic tone scale and also pentatonic tone scale. The diatonic tone scale is a modern tone scale that widely known and the pentatonic tone scale is a traditional tone scale that only known and used in the Sundanese songs and music. He also learnt about the traditional Sundanese songs. Beside he learnt traditional, he also learnt popular Indonesian songs and Ducth’s songs. His ability and talents in music grown and developed as he became an Arts Teacher in several school in Bandung.

To emphasize his abilities he came to learn to the experts directly. The traditional string musical instrument – Kacapi – he learnt from the inventor, Mang Koko. About Gamelan he learnt from Rd. Machyar Angga Kusumahdinata, and for Angklung do-re-mi, or the diatonic tone scale, he learnt from Daeng Soetigna, he was also the inventor of Angklung diatonic. His knowledge soon became a set of performance of Sundanese traditional arts and cultures that became also as a performances package for tourists abroad. The main theme of the performances itself, were Angklung performances at Saung Angklung Udjo. The present of Saung Angklung Udjo was not only his business related, but also to spread his abilities, talented, and souls to share the knowledge he mastered best. All the guests from all over the world come to Saung Angklung Udjo to enjoy the Sundanese Traditional Arts and Culture that controlled in its quality, and the impression of the guests are always very good indeed, and they always seems very enjoy the moments they share here. Started from Wayang Golek demonstrations, Sundanese Traditional dances, and also Angklung plays, consists of: Angklung Orchestra, and Angklung Interactive. That kind of simple reasons that made all guests really pleased and really has a desire to be back in Saung Angklung Udjo. The entertainment talent of the Young Udjo fulfilled the ability to combine and to mix all the arts, culture, the children, and also the surroundings, that became a harmony between culture and nature in front of all the audiences.

His mastering and the skilful of ability spread especially to his daughters and sons. In early 90’s, his daughters and sons continuing his mission under Udjo’s guidance. Due to his bad health conditions, he became more rare involved in the performances itself, he only involved occasionally just to greet the audiences in many different languages. He spoke English, Ducth, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and etc.
As he passed away at May 3rd 2001, Saung Angklung Udjo continued by the daughters and sons. There’s nothing change with Saung Angklung Udjo, it still visited by many international tourists from all over the world, and all the students of Saung Angklung Udjo still play the Angklung, and the instant applause and admiring smile from the guests still could be seen at the end of the show.

Udjo Ngalagena once said: "What You Are, What Job You Have Chosen, Do It Well, Do It With Love, Without Love, You Are Dead Before You Die"
Udjo Ngalagena (sometimes in late 90’s).

How to make Angklung

HOW TO MAKE AN ANGKLUNG

1. THE BAMBOO ELECTION

Bamboo is the material of an Angklung. It is elected by its age. It has to be at least 4 years old and not more than 6 years old. It is cut on the dry season, between 9 am in the morning to 3 pm at the afternoon. After being cut at its base for about 2-3 span of the hand, it will be stored for about 1 week, so that the bamboo will contain less water.

After a week, the bamboo will be separated from its branches. It will be cut into certain various sizes. Then, will be stored for about one year to keep it from termites. Some of the procedures are: by sinking out the bamboo beneath mud field, pool or river, also by smoking it at the fireplace, and the modern procedure: by using a certain liquid chemistry formula.

2. SHAPING PART OF AN ANGKLUNG

Each Angklung consist of 3 parts:

The Voice Tubes
The Voice Tubes are the most important of an angklung, which produce the intonation made. Tuning process makes the intonations.

The Frame
Frame is supporting the voice tubes to stand inside the hollow space.

The Base
It is function as the frame of the voice tubes.

3. TUNING THE VOICE TUBE PROCESS

Half-Done Process
Shaping the bamboo become laths of voice tube.

Resonance Tuning Process
Blowing the lower part of an angklung to the floor and measuring it to the tuner.

Main Voice Tuning Process
Tuning the voice by increasing and decreasing the tone by strike voice. Increasing the tone by cutting its upper parts slightly, and decreasing the tone by shaping both voice laths with shaping knife.

How to Use a Tuner:

Make an attention to both of the lamps at the left and the right of the panel, and also the pointer needle.

For example, if you're going to make an "F" tone, so that when the angklung is shaking, both of the lamps will flame together, and the pointer needle will point the "F" letter.

4. FINISHING

After each of the voice tubes has its tone, then it will be put into the frame laths and being strengthen by tied of rattan.

सुंग अंग्क्लुंग Udjo

Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) exist in January 1967, contributed by Mr. Udjo

Ngalagena and his wife Mrs. Uum Sumiati Udjo. SAU is the place where angklung and others bamboo instrument are made and played.

SAU also the place where children are singing, dancing and played the bamboo instrument especially angklung.

Here you will find the Sudanese traditional bamboo musical concert performed by a small group of children with colorful and beautiful dances. See their dynamic performances and natural expression. You may not believe that the children performing in the concert are less then 12 years old. There's even a two years old child playing kendang, the Indonesian traditional drum!

Saung Angklung Udjo also present choices of bamboo art performances and traditional dances such as Tari Topeng (Mask Dances), Wayang Golek demonstration (puppet show) and many more. You could feel the sophisticated atmosphere when you experience how to play angklung and being part of our performance all at once. You can see, learn and play "The Angklung," one of Sundanese traditional musical instrument, with the colorful performances, the beautiful dances. Dance together for your memorable visit.

SAU is one of the tourism place for all family, it's attractive and adductive. And SAU is one perfectly province tourism object and important in West Java.

And the last

Hopely this website could have a special place in your heart, lika a sound of angklung we've played. thank you very much for visiting.

Warm Regard

Saung Angklung Udjo

The BALINESE Gamelan

Balinese Gamelan

A gamelan is an ensemble normally composed primarily of percussion. In Bali, orchestras of tuned gongs, bronze kettles, bronze metallophones, bamboo xylophones, drums, cymbals and flutes fill the night air with animated music. Melodic parts interlock, divided in such a way that musicians play alternate notes to form the melody line. These interlocking parts, known as kotèkan, require cooperation and a keen sense of rhythm to perform. The two parts of a kotèkan, which are thought of as male and female, are known as nyangsih and polos. The main accents of the nyangsih part are usually on the offbeat, while the main accents of the polos part are usually on the beat.

Knowledge of kotèkan can be extremely valuable. These interlocking rhythms have a unique way of bringing people together in cooperation towards a common goal, and there are many creative possibilities for applying them to contemporary music.

The book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, by Matthew Montfort, contains exercises that teach these rhythms. Some of these exercises are adapted here for the World Wide Web.

Using MIDI

GM Standard MIDI files of Balinese rhythm exercises from the book are presented here, arranged for General MIDI vibraphones. Use this to practice Balinese interlocking parts, or for compositional ideas.

Computers with multimedia capabilities now come configured for MIDI playback via web browsers. However, with the built-in MIDI support in Netscape and Explorer, some files may not reproduce properly. For proper playback, this site recommends the Beatnik Plugin which supports both GM voices and user programmable sounds.

To set up playback on a MIDI sound module that is not GM compatible, see the MIDI map of the instruments of the Balinese gamelan.

Balinese Rhythm Exercises

Kotèkan Basics is a beginning exploration of the art of interlocking parts. Includes complete instructions, notation, and a MIDI file. A beginning level example from Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Chapter 2, Exercise II, page 49.

Anklung MIDI file is an intermediate level Gamelan Anklung kotèkan from Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Chapter 2, Exercise III D, page 51. This kotèkan was used as the basis for the composition Gamarock from the Ancient Future release Dreamchaser. More examples of the contemporary use of the kotèkan concept can be found in the Ancient Future introductory pages theme music (from World Without Walls).

(3K GIF of Anklung in Music Notation)

Pèrmas MIDI File is an advanced level example of the composition Pèrmas from the repertoire of the Gamelan Semar Pegulingan, the "gamelan of the love God," as shown in Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Chapter 2, Exercise V-B, page 54.

(107K GIF of Pèrmas in Music Notation)

Ancient Rhythms--Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Want more MIDI files? Get this complete collection of MIDI files based on the book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities.