Xin Wei Thow

Xin Wei fell in love with Javanese Gamelan in 2007 at the National University of Singapore’s Singa Nglaras Gamelan Ensemble. Since then, he has travelled frequently to Surakarta (Solo), Central Java to study the music in-depth. In 2010 and 2018, he participated in the Darmasiswa RI programme, a scholarship from the Indonesian Government that granted him a year to study the music at the Institut Seni Indonesia Surakarta (Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Surakarta). Besides formal classes in instrumental technique and ensemble playing at the Institute, he has also participated in the rich musical life of the city, practicing and performing with several community ensembles. Additionally, he has privately studied the advanced instruments of the ensemble (Rebab, Kendhang, Gender) with prominent musicians. His Master’s Thesis, submitted in 2018 to the National University of Singapore, explored how musicians perceive and express notions of declining standards in traditional music.

He has been the Music Director for Singa Nglaras since 2012, a pro-bono position where he conducts rehearsals, selects and arranges repertoire, manages logistics in performances, and facilitates collaborations between the ensemble, arts venues and Indonesian artistes. His recent performances include the instrumental programmes Sembur Adas (2021), Laler Mengeng (2022) and Kutut Manggung (2022) at Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, participating in the cross cultural contemporary work Luminous Clouds at SIPA (Solo International Performing Arts) in 2022, performing with Lindhu Raras at the Rumah Budaya Indonesia, Berlin (2023), and in Ki Purbo Asmoro’s Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppetry) performance in Graz, organised by Institut für Ethnomusikologie der KUG, Graz (2023).

Motivation

Through sharing Javanese gamelan through performances and teaching, Xin Wei hopes to convey both its musical depth and beauty, as well as its potential to foster social connections and relationships.