KPA ITB in Concert 2010: a Wonderful Angklung Collaboration

By UKM Student English Forum

Editor UKM Student English Forum

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id- The Angklung Student Family (Keluarga Paduan Angklung (KPA) in Indonesian) gave a fascinating performance at the concert titled When The Legends Come Alive Through Angklung on Saturday (21/11/10) taking place in ITB West Hall. As many as eleven legendary songs from many parts of the world were performed in melodious arrangement at their (KPA ITB-red) biyearly concert.

"We choose the legendary theme to re-introduce world's legendary musical compositions using angklung," said the Head Concert Alwi Alfiansyah R. after the concert took place. 'In addition to that, with this theme, we would like to demonstrate angklung's versatile use for any kind of music genre," he added.
 
Overseas comositions such as Speak Softly Love, Sway, andKuch Kuch Hota Hai harmonized the concert and brought the audiences to complete amezement. Other legendary music, such as David Foster's Winter Olympics Theme, Gesang's Bengawan Solo, and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was also successfully performed.

Those participated in the concert were not only ITB students. Franziska Baus, a Germany student who currently joins one-semester exchange program in ITB, performed several songs with KPA ITB and said that she is happy to learn how to play angklung.

Angklung, Indonesian World Heritage

"With this concert, we call upon Indonesian society to feel passionate about and fond of this musical instrument," said Alwi. Moreover, angklung now has been declared Indonesian Cultural World Heritage by UNESCO at Tuesday (16/11/10) in Nairobi, Kenya.

One of the reasons behind UNESCO's declaration is that angklung performance holds basic values like respect, team work, and social harmony which forms the major identity of West Javan culture. "This concert also serves as KPA ITB's effort to preserve, develop, and promote these values, which happen to be Indonesian's precious cultural assets," explained Alwi.