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ESSAYS ON ISSUES IN MUSIC AND ITS
FUNCTION
****** ******
EDITED BY
LOO FUNG YING
University of Malaya
MOHD NASIR HASHIM
University of Malaya
LOO FUNG CHIAT
University Putra Malaysia
UM Book Series on Research in Musicology 4
UM BOOK SERIES ON RESEARCH IN
MUSICOLOGY 4
CONTENTS
****** ******
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES vii
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS viii
PREFACE xi
CHAPTER
19DULDWLRQRI0DOD\$VOL0XVLF7KHUHLVQRµ5LJKWRU:URQJ¶ 1
Mohd Nasir Hashim
2Indung Meets Sayang Dancers: Issues of Putting Folk Genres 18
on Stage
Chan Cheong Jan
3Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands: Issues, 39
Challenges and Strategies
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
4Empowering Student Experience through Social Media 60
Sergio Camacho
5Issues in the Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnastics 76
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
vii
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
****** ******
Figures
1.1 Sri Kedah as performed in Kedah 3
1.2 Sri Kedah as performed in Johor 3
1.3 Sri Kedah as performed in Terengganu 3
1.4 Sri Kedah as per formed in Sarawak 3
1.5 Sri Kedah as per formed in Pekan Baru, Indonesia 4
1.6 Seven variations of Inang style 6
1.7 Main melody for Inang Cina 8
1.8 Main melody for Empat Dara 8
2.1 Poster of the event Gerak 2011 in which Indung was presented 23
DVRQHRIWKHµGDQFH¶LWHPV
2.2 7KHSHUIRUPDQFHRI1DW.LQJ&ROH¶VLove by Sayang Dancers 27
2.3 The performance of Indung by Bantal Village Group 28
2.4 Happening at back stage after the performance 31
5.1 Two levels of musical function in rhythmic gymnastics 85
Tables
3.1 Mean rating for questionnaire items 49
5.1 Analytical description of four selected performances 81
viii
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
****** ******
Sergio Camacho is the Associate Course Leader at the International College of
Music, ICOM, in Kuala Lumpur. He holds degrees in Music Education
from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and in Musicology from the
8QLYHUVLGDGGHOD5LRMDERWK LQ6SDLQ DQG D 0DVWHU¶VGHJUHHLQ0XVLF
Composition from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. He
earned a PhD at the same university for his thesis Beyond the Milestone:
Beating Paths towards a Contemporary Zarzuela, an extensive
exploration of the possibilities of Spanish quintessential music genre as a
living one. He started his music career as a folk musician, and soon
turned to composition as an expressive tool. The opera Three-Word
Poem about Loss and the zarzuela Beyond the Milestone, in which he
acted both as composer and librettist, were his first contributions to
Spanish lyrical theatre. His published compositions include the films The
Equivocal Mirror and *UDQGSD¶V 0DJLFDO *reenhouse, and the
orchestral work Four Names for the One Moon. His research interests
include Music Theatre, Contemporary World Music, Identity and Music
Nationalism, Technologies and Education, and Multidisciplinary
Performance Practices in Stage Music.
Chan Cheong Jan is Senior Lecturer at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, has interest
in both cultural and educational aspects in music. A jazz pianisit, but
trained as a functional harmony composer and school music teacher from
Kyoto University of Education, he went on to document Indung and
Tarian Saba in Ulu Tembeling, and completed his doctoral thesis under
Osamu Yamaguti in Osaka University. In his home institution, the Music
Department of Universiti Putra Malaysia, he strives to provide
substantial education to the jazz piano students while helping with the
development of the department.
ix
Mohd. Nasir Hashim is Associate Professor at the University of Malaya. Self-
taught in his early years, he unashamedly pestered trained musicians that
he came in contact with. Today, he specializes in Musicology, Music
Composition, Music Technology, and Music Orchestration. At present
he is the principle investigator of several research projects which
encompasses MDOD\7UDGLWLRQDO0XVLFDQGWKH³PXVLF´RI0DOD\
literature as found in the syair,gurindam and children folk songs. His
years at the University of Southampton, UK (MMus in music
composition, MPhil in music technology and PhD in Musicology) in
1995 ±2001 enabled him to learn and work with world renowned
musicians and composers. He toured with Dave Brubeck, the
accomplished jazz composer and his Big Band orchestra in UK and USA
(1995). He also studied under the tutelage of Andrew Llyod Webber in
writing scores for musical broadways. As visiting conductor with the
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Edinburgh Orchestra and the BBC
symphony orchestra (1996 ±1997), Nasir introduced Malay traditional
songs and compositions of P. Ramlee in the form of arrangement fo r
Western symphony orchestra, to the English audiences. Mohd Nasir
Hashim teaches at the Cultural Centre of University of Malaya and has
been the force behind the UM Symphony Orchestra: conducting,
composing, arranging, in addition to producing over 180 orchestral
scores.
Loo Fung Chiat is Senior Lecturer at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. She received
her PhD in Performance Practice from the University of Sheffield,
England. Fung Chiat takes a very active interest in music research,
composition, arrangement and performances. Her research and
publications includes music for rhythmic gymnastics, piano works of
Oliver Messiaen and audience perception. She is also the resident
composer, arranger and pianist with Dama Orchestra and their sold-out
production included September Tale,Butterfly Lovers- The Musical and I
Have A Date with Spring.
Loo Fung Ying is Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya. A recipient of
several awards ±including the first prize in the Jacobson Piano
Competition, the Carola Grindea Award for Best Pianist and two bronze
medals for Taichi Old-frame routine and broadsword in National Chen-
x
style Taichi Competition ±shepioneeredthestudyofTaichiin
application to the physicality of piano playing. Her research interests lie
in performance, pedagogy and ethnomusicology. In addition, she is also
an active composer and music arranger with Dama Orchestra, and has
recorded four albums including two sold-out musicals: Butterfly Lovers ±
The Musical and I Have a Date with Spring.
Shahanum Mohamad Shah is Associate Professor of Music Education at the
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. She holds a B. Music (Perf.)
(Hons) degree from Adelaide University, Australia and the M. Mus. Ed.
and PhD degrees (Major: Music Education; Minors: Ethnomusicology
and Administration) from Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
6KDKDQXP¶V UHVHDUFK LQWHUHVWV LQFOXGH SV\FKRORJ\ RI PXVLF OHDUQLQJ
processes, the Malay gamelan and multiculturalism in music. She is a
member of the Malaysian Association for Music Education, the
International Society for Music Education, the International Council for
TraditionalMusicandVicePresidentoftheMalaysiaBandAssociation.
She is a certified examiner/judge for the Yamaha Higher Grade
Examinations (Piano/Electone) and the Drum Corps Europe and has
judged competitions in piano/electone, marching band and the gamelan
such as the Roland Piano Festival, The Yamaha Electone Festival, the
Malaysian Marching Band competition and the Singapore Youth Festival
(primary and secondary schools).
Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon is Associate Professor of Music Education at the Sultan
Idris Education University, Tanjong Malim, Malaysia where he teaches
courses in music education and marching band techniques. In addition,
he serves as the Deputy Dean (Academic & Student Affairs) at the
Faculty of Music & Performing Arts of the University. Zaharul received
his undergraduate degree in music from Southern Illinois University,
USA and master's degree in education from the University of Houston,
Texas, USA. He is currently the President of the Malaysia Band
Association. In addition, he is the Deputy President of the Malaysian
Association for Music Education. As a certified Drum Corps Europe
judge, Zaharul has been appointed as the technical advisor and judge to
the two major marching band events in Malaysia namely the National
Band Competition and Malaysia World Band Competition.
xi
PREFACE
****** ******
University of Malaya Book Series on Research in Musicology is a collection of
peer-reviewed papers by local and international scholars. This book aims to
disseminate current research to both academicians and tertiary music students.
Articles ranging from historical musicology, music technology, performance
practice, music education, composition, ethnomusicology, music psychology and
so forth grace the pages of our book series.
In this series, our contributors are Chan Cheong Jan, Mohd Nasir Hashim,
Shahanum Mohd. Shah, Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon, Sergio Camacho, Loo Fung
Chiat, and Loo Fung Ying, who are local and international researchers. Five
articles featured in this series are in the field of ethnomusicology, music education
and an analysis into the function of music in sports:
1 Variation of Malay Asli MusLF7KHUHLVQRµ5LJKWRU:URQJ¶
2 Indung Meets Sayang Dancers: Issues of Putting Folk Genres on Stage
3 Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands: Issues, Challenges
and Strategies
4 Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
5 Issues in the Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnastics
Loo Fung Ying
Mohd Nasir Hashim
Loo Fung Chiat
Editors
July 2012
Chapter 1
****** ******
Variation of Malay Asli Music
7KHUHLVQRµ5LJKWRU:URQJ¶
Mohd Nasir Hashim
Abstract
2QH RI WKH PRVW µKHDWHG¶ GLVFXVVLRQ DPRQJVW 0DOD\ PXVLF DFWLYLVWV DQG 0DOD\ $VOL PXVLF
(Muzik Melayu Asli in Malaysian t erm) perfor mers is without doubt portraying a performance
that is t he most original or most authe ntic. Controversia l debates are commo nplace and it is no t
unusua l that tho se who pursue the matter end up igno ring the presence of the other in trying to
GHIHQG Z KR LV µULJ KW¶ 7KLV S KHQRPHQR Q FDQ HYH QFR QWLQXH W R EH\RQG VHYHUDO JHQHUDWLRQV ,W LV
QRW XQFRPPRQ W KDW FRQWHPSRUDU\ SHUIRU PHUV WHQG WR TXHVWLRQ WKH µR OG VW\OH¶ RI SUHVHQWDWLRQ
practised by their teachers or master; in fact what is even more disheartening is that this issue
becomes unnecessarily prolonged. Based on this fact, this chapter presents a discourse
summarising facts from literature review in addition to analysis of performances by able
performers or activists who have achieved recognition, success and popularity within this field.
Variation of Malay Asli Music
2
The product of this analysis will be evaluated and presented but anonymit y will be maintained.
The conclusion of this paper will provide evidence and shed light to this matter in that all
variat ions ar e of except ional high quality and not any one of the style s can be regarded as being
the most authentic as each of the variation occurs as a result of personal improvisation with
influence from the accompanying music; the end result is a composition/performance that still
maintains the Malay ident ity in Malay Asli music.
Introduction
Malay Asli music is a syncretic or hybrid music genre which is enriched with fine
cultural qualities that portray a strong identity of the Malays; this includes the
lifestyle and daily activities of the community. The music is a strong hybrid
identity in terms of both harmony and melody. The somewhat melancholic melody
utilises a lot of ornamentation in each song; the placement of harmony (chord
progression) as well as the organised use of melodic and harmonic minor is also an
important feature. All these portray a strong Malay identity.
These unique features do not end there but instead continue to flourish,
resulting in a change in both the original melody and style of delivery. This often
occurs or evolves in keeping with the time, location and circumstance in which the
music activist or practitioner performs. As a result of this, there are several
variations to any one particular song although the title may remain. This issue has
attracted widespread attention from both music practitioners and researchers alike.
Each of these individuals has their own opinion and interpretation in trying to
decide which version or variation is authentic or original.
The creative process is not one begun and finished by a single individual; it is spread over many
individuals and generations. And it never comes to an end as long as the tradition is alive
(Herzog, 1950:1034).
,W LV HYLGHQW IURP +HU]RJ¶V YHUVH WKDW FKDQJH LV LQHYLWDEOH FKDQJH RFFXUV
UHJDUGOHVVRIDQLQGLYLGXDO¶VRSLQLRQRUSHUFHSWLRQRIZKHWKHUWKHFKDQJHLVGHVLUHG
Mohd Nasir Hashim
3
or wanted. Change is in fact a natural phenomenon and history is its evidence.
Identity and Variation in Malay Asli music
The changes and development of Malay Asli music is evident right from its
beginning or time it originated. The inclusion of music instruments increased as
did the number of repertoire. There were also an increasing number of performers
resulting in more variation and interpretation of songs. These differences were
more pronounced when the location and distance increased; this was further
DXJPHQWHGZKHQWKHUHZDVµDVVLPLODWLRQ¶RIYDULRXVFXOWXUHVDQGZD\VRIOLIH)RU
example (see Fig. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5):
Figure 1.1 Sri Kedah as performed in Kedah (Lyrics evolve around a lady from Kedah)
Figure 1.2 Sri Kedah as performed in Johor (The composer who originates from Johor)
Figure 1.3 Sri Kedah as performed in Terengganu (This song is also found in Terengganu)
Figure 1.4 Sri Kedah as performed in Sarawak (A group of Sarawak musicians traveled and
brought along the song with them to Sarawak, adapted from Sarabanun Marican)
Variation of Malay Asli Music
4
Figure 1.5 Sri Kedah DVSHUIRUPHGLQ3HNDQ%DUX,QGRQHVLD7KHFRPSRVHU¶VIDPLO\RULJLQDWHG
from Pekan Baru, Indonesia)
The song Sri Kedah is just one (of more than a hundred) example of the many
songs that I had studied which illustrates incredible transformation in just within a
time frame of approximately 30 years.
&KDQJHV DOVR RFFXU PRUH UDSLGO\ LQ WKH IDFH RI D µJHQHUDWLRQ JDS¶ )RU
example:
xSharifah Aini has been cited as performing the most authentic version of the
song Seri Mersing (Berita Harian, 24th June 1987).
xRamlah Ram has portrayed her own way of performance by using the
Ghazal style. Faster version which inject North Indian/Hindustani style with
Tabla and harmonium. (Senandung Asli Ramlah Ram, RTM, 1995)
xDespite the less favourable comments made by Sharifah Aini; Siti Nurhaliza
has drawn exceptional interest and influence as reflected in the exponential
and phenomenal sales of her recordings/CD (SRC Suria Records, 2008)
which portrayed traditional Malay songs (excerpt of interview in
entertainment programmes in TV3 Muzik-Muzik, 2009).
xIn actual fact, veteran singer Saloma has recorded the song even much
earlier than any of the above singers (Cathay Malay Film, Keris, directed by
Salleh Ghani in 1961).
The question in mind is, why has the performance recorded by Sharifah Aini
QRZUHJDUGHG DQG ODEHOHGDV EHLQJWKHPRVWµDXWKHQWLF DQG RULJLQDO¶IRUPZKHQLQ
actual fact her recording is made much later than Saloma. Is it because those
critiques were born and raised within the era of Sharifah Aini! Is it related to the
Mohd Nasir Hashim
5
vast exposure given to Sharifah Aini? Or is it because the version performed by her
LVWKH YHUVLRQWKDW LV PRVWSRSXODURIDOO WLPHV" ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ZKHQ6LWL1XUKDOL]D¶V
version reached phenoPHQD O VDOHV VKH ZDV W KHQ ODEHO OHG DV PXV LF 0HOD \X DVOL¶V
DPEDVVDGRU 6LPLODUO\ 5DPODK5DP¶VYHUVLRQSURYLGHGDFRPSHWLW LYHHGJHWRWKLV
race. By incorporating an extra Indian Tabla and Harmonium, played with a faster
Inang style which is very much closer to the song of Inang Cina, thisisthesong
amongst others that assimilates the various ethnicity in Malaysia. Thus, in our
SXUVXLWRIµWUXH¶RULJLQDOLW\GRZHMXVWLJQRUHDOORIWKHDIRUHPH QWLRQHG LVVXHV"
The same phenomenon is in fact depicted in music ensemble. An example of
this is evident during the Malay Asli music competition at the national level (RTM,
2005). The Sri Perdana group comprising six professional musicians had shown
exceptional talent in terms of performance and musicality. They did not however
ZLQ WKHFRPSHWLWLRQ DVWKH PXVLFLDQ ZKRSOD\HG WKHµgendang¶GLGQRWSHUIRUP LQ
WKH µRULJLQDO RU DXWKHQWLF Inang¶ VW\OH DFFRUGLQJ WR RQH RI WKH MXGJHV 5DKLP
Jantan. The latter is highly regarded then as being an icon in the world of Malay
asli music as he had the skill and ability to perform numerous Malay Asli songs by
heart through his violin rendition.
From my analysis later, there are actually seven variations of how the
gendang is played in the Inang style (see Fig. 1.6). Two gendang players,
=DLQXGGLQDQG 6DKLPL IURPWKH6UL3HUGDQDJURXS ZHUHµSHQDOLVHG¶IRUFRPELQLQJ
the above two styles when in fact what was expected by Rahim Jantan was the
style that I had attained during a recording in Medan, Indonesia VHH )DG]OLQ¶V
version in Fig. 1.6). In addition to these, there are also four other styles of
gendangan that is performed in Kelantan, Terengganu, Brunei and Pekan Baru,
Indonesia.
Variation of Malay Asli Music
6
Figure 1.6 Seven variations of Inang Style
It is evident here that the opinions are based on individuals who are seen as
music icons or experts in their own ways albeit the fact that these opinions may
DFWXDOO\ EH WKH UHVXOW RI LJQRUDQFH RU EHLQJ ILUP RI RQH¶V RZQ EHOLHIV 7KLV
somewhat rigid and pHUKDSVµDXWRFUDWLF¶YLHZ PD\EHGHWULPHQWDODVLWFDQ KLQGHU
the interest of the younger generation to be more creative. Development and
Mohd Nasir Hashim
7
progress may come to a halt if one is not willing to be open to new or external
LQSXWZKLFKDSSHDUVWRµGHYLDWH¶IURPZhat is routinely accepted.
The development of Malay Asli music is not only restricted to the style of
singing and music; the forms of ensemble has also evolved and undergone
transformation with time. The number and position of instruments in use have also
influenced the arrangement of music. For example:
xPatah hati, small ensemble version (gendang, gong, accordion and violin)
xPatah hati, full orchestra version
xPatah hati, electronic music version
xPatah hati, soundtrack version
It is interesting to note that the process of transformation has occurred
historically as a result of colonial influence. In the early days, the instruments only
comprised the rebana asli and gong, but with the influx of the Portuguese, the
accordion was introduced and during the British colonization, the violin and flute
were both incorporated.
In fact, these songs are not only performed by pop ensemble groups but in
orchestral form. These examples illustrate how the music has evolved from being
instrumental to beyond that with the incorporation of many new instruments. These
changes should not be regarded as being Western in influence, but as a measure to
draw interest from the younger generation and contemporary music arrangers alike
as their level of creativity evolves, in addition to expanding the range of repertoire
in keeping with current or contemporary interests. As mentioned previously, the
evolution of music within Malaysia is not peculiar to music of the West, but also
influenced by music from the neighbouring countries and even more so, music of
our multi-ethnic society. All these have resulted in the creation of new
compositions, for example:
Variation of Malay Asli Music
8
Figure 1.7 Main melody for Inang Cina
These songs are seen to portray elements from the Chinese society and culture
(using the scale of pentatonic).
Figure 1.8 Main melody for Empat Dara
The lyrics of this song illustrates a story of four young ladies who wear costumes
that are complementary to one another. The story line is based on a Hindustani
film; the melody and its style is also not dissimilar to the Hindustani songs (Inang
dangdut). The use of the tabla percussion reinforces the uniqueness of both the
Malay and the Indian music identity (Neuman, 1977).
The change observed in musical culture may be initiated or engendered by contact
between two or several impinging cultures, subcultures or cases within a culture
(Kartomi, 1994: IX).
Mohd Nasir Hashim
9
It is without doubt that the Chinese and Indian society had given rise to the
multicultural nature of new repertoire and style to Malay Asli music (Hashim,
2001). Kartomi (1994) also agreed that such contact may result at least in minor
adjustments within existing musical traditions or major effects such as creative
transformation or syncretism, which occurs when cultures meet over a prolonged
duration of contact. It may be assumed that, in general those societies which have
been most exposed to external influences have experienced more rapid cultural
change than isolated communities, in music as in other aspects of culture.
When cultures meet, there is merging. Whether seen as modernizing or spoiling, and even if the
intent is preservation, there is a level of fusion (Su-Ling Chou, Danna Frangione, Yun-yu Wang,
Er-dong Hu,1997: 110)
The Needs of New Variation and Repertoire
Malay Asli songs such as Sri Siantang,Sri Kedah,Gunung Banang,Patah Hati or
Sembawa Balik KDYHEHHQSURFODLPHGDVEHLQJµDQWLTXH¶LQWHUPVRISRSXODULW\DQG
musicality. These songs are seen as ancient; yet, interestingly, it is this very same
generation that reveres WKHVRQJµLa Maulai¶ZKLFKLVSRSXODULVHGE\WKHDUWLVWH6LWL
Nurhaliza. This trend is seen as injecting new elements into strengthening the
existing roots of Malay Asli music. As stated above, the process of evolution is a
natural process that occurs to all forms of creative arts.
Nettl (see 1983: 345-354) also cites the example of Iran, where classical
music was preserved for a time, and then allowed out again into the living,
changing environment (almost like an endangered species of animal being bred in
captivity, and then released again into the wild!). In keeping with the needs and
interests of arrangers and listeners alike, the music has become even more popular.
The music has in fact generated a new following and trend and has conquered the
music scene and industry, penetrating even national song festivals and
competitions.
Variation of Malay Asli Music
10
Changes in terms of original structure may be subtle as the music
µWUDQVIRUPV¶LQWRDPRUHFRQWHPSRUDU\IRUPKDYLQJVDLGWKDWLIWKHFRPSRVHULVRI
knowledge, its original roots will not fray. Amongst these composers/arrangers
include Pak Ngah, M Nasir, S Atan, Manan Ngah, Shiqal and many more; they are
generally realistic in their approach and process of music evolution. The
authenticity of Malay music is retained despite the incorporation of new musical
elements. It is hardly surprising then that Zapin Hari Raya by Pak Ngah, Zapin
Rindu Rinduan by Manan Ngah or Joget Sindir Pesan by S. Atan, are noticeably
different as compared to other Joget or zapin songs before. The Malay elements
are still embedded although the style and arrangement is different.
Maintaining the Malay melody in its original form, yet giving it a new style
of arrangement is a positive move towards preserving the heritage of local music
compositions. Both measures are necessary to ensure continuity of our local music
culture which is rich in Malay music elements. External influence is inevitable
when it comes to music; the birth of new compositions such as Zapin Cindai
(performed by Siti Nurhaliza) should be well regarded as is the preservation of
original musical scores of Zapin style.
What is regarded as Malay music now is actually the result of music that has
evolved and developed from earlier days. Several pivotal factors have been
identified: foreign colonisation and influence by foreign traders, not to mention the
dominance of current multimedia; all these have eased the process of external
influence. For example, the colonisation by the Portuguese in the 16th century was
associated with the Joget style, the influx of Arabic traders during the height of the
Malacca rulership brought about the zapin style, and the settlement of Indian and
Chinese migrants influenced the style of Inang. Although all these have been
accepted as Malay music, in actual fact a musical composition will undergo
continuous evolutionary process which cannot be dictated within any particular
Mohd Nasir Hashim
11
time frame.
Guignard (see 1991: 337-340) gives a good example of how traditional
eastern music can be revitalised through collaborations with modem composers;
she describes how the Japanese composer Takemitsu heard a traditional
satsumabiwa player (Tsuruta Kinshi) on a film soundtrack and wanted to work
with her on some future projects, a collaboration which inspired her to broaden her
musical horizons and develop new ideas and techniques. As a result, other
composers were also attracted, with the further consequence that new interest was
generated in the Japanese traditional music.
The process of evolution occurs naturally. The same may be said of any
culture associated with any one community; such changes are in fact only noticed
when seen retrospectively. A Malay traditional song that has been given a
contemporarised approach should be well received and not immediately criticised.
As long as there is awareness and the changes are made within discipline, its
authenticity should not be jeopardized. This is the very reason why Malay Asli
music activists ought to be aware and knowledgeable of the various styles and
arrangement of contemporary composers. Nettl (see 1983: 345-354), that the effect
of cultural gray-out may be exaggerated, so that musical interaction has an overall
benefit: generally more people have a broader musical experience, meaning that
hybrids enrich our experience, while traditions have not necessarily disappeared. In
keeping with this, in addition to upholding the various traditional Malay songs in
its original forms, newer compositions which have evolved from traditional
melodies should also receive due recognition. One possible drawback is that we
FXUUHQWO\ ODFN YHUVDWLOH FRPSRVHUV ZKR DUH DEOH WR µWUDQVIRUP¶ WUDGLWLRQDO PXVLF
into a seemingly appealing contemporary form. A composer who lacks knowledge
or is ignorant to traditional music may not be able to create such compositions. As
a result of this, the authenticity is lost and the true values of cultural identity are
Variation of Malay Asli Music
12
not portrayed; the Malay elements will not manifest as a result. For a composition
to be entrenched with history and cultural values/identity, the composition has to
create based on knowledge and meaning. The current situation is that although
traditional Malay music is often produced and recorded, such music lacks true
Malay elements and identity; with no identifiable target, such compositions will
not be able to withstand the test of time and will dwindle into obscurity. As the
ORFDO VD\LQJ JRHV ³ itik mengajar anak berjalan betul dan lebih parah lagi bila
tiung mengajuk manusia berkata-kata´ D PRW KHU GXFN WHD FK KHU GXFNO LQJ KRZ WR
waddle properly or even more ridiculous for a pigeon to mock mankind when it
cannot even talk).
Suggestions and Plan of Action
The above is an illustration of the development of traditional music beginning with
³SXUH´0DOD\$VOL music till the creation of a new traditional melody which has
occurred as a result of interaction among social, political and economic factors.
The nature and new environment within each era has resulted in the evolution of
Malay Asli music which is unique and yet interesting different as the music
evolves in the different eras. Such processes may involve the way music is used
(its functions) and attitudes towards it, or may take a specifically musical form.
Thus there are changes in the repertoire, brought about by the introduction of new
styles. Patricia Matusky (2004: 26) defines acculturated or syncretised music as
music that "combines elements of folk and classical music of a given culture group
ZLWK RXWVLGHHOHPHQWV«IR XQGLQ ERWKW KH XUEDQ DQGUXUDO areas." In doing so, we
should be aware of Nettl's views on how traditional music may be preserved, and
make a concerted effort to ensure that only the best ways are implemented.
This very issue was in fact also voiced out by a legendary veteran artiste, the
ODWH 3 5DPOHH \HDUV DJR LQ KLV SDSHU HQWLWOHG µCara-cara Meninggikan Mutu
Mohd Nasir Hashim
13
dan Memperkayakan Muzik Jenis Asli dan Tradisional Malaysia demi Kepentingan
Negara¶:D\VWR(PSRZHU7UDGLWLRQDO0DOD\0XVLFIRUWKH1DWLRQDWWKH
National Cultural Congress in 1971 at University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He
emphasized that the process of ensoulment of both asli and traditional music into
the hearts of Malaysians is still incomplete; he also raised several issues on why
and how music from beyond Malaysia has influenced and penetrated the society.
According to S. Atan (a renown music composer and arranger), the idea to
µFRQWHPSRUDULVH¶WUDGLWLRQDOPHORGLHVKDVEHFRPHDQHIIHFWLYHZD\WRUHLJQLWHDQG
recultivate the interests of the Malays towards their own music (Berita Harian, 10
Julai 2000). Using modern instruments such as the drum, keyboard, accordion and
guitar simultaneously with the tabla and gambus amongst others have proven
successful in producing music that is unique and pleasing to the ear. It is clear that
such compositions are able to attract the interest and attention of both the young
and old. This approach is proven to be successful as composers such as Pak Ngah,
S Atan and M Nasir have managed to elevate local new artistes to exceptional
popularity by merely using Malay asli music; amongst these singers include Siti
Nurhaliza, Nurhaliza Idris, Aleycats, Herman Tino, Black Dog Bone among others.
In relation to this, local music composers have without doubt a part to play
in developing traditLRQDOPXVLFE\DGRSWLQJWKHSUDFWLFHRIµUHF\FOLQJ¶DVH[SUHVVHG
by Dr. Mohd Taib Osman (1984: 23). Traditional music ought to be a part of their
source of creativity and inspiration. Local composers can strive towards blending
traditional melody with modern music in their compositions. This phenomenon is
in fact not restricted to just the local music scene but occurs across the globe. This
SKHQRPHQRQ KDV JLYHQ ULVH WR ZKDW LV QRZ NQRZQ DV µZRUOG PXVLF¶ RU µZRUOG
EHDW¶
Variation of Malay Asli Music
14
Conclusion
The world is becoming a single place, in which different institutions function as parts of
one system and distant people share a common understanding of living together on one
planet (Lechner and Boli, 2000).
The world of music has been subject to cross-cultural influences resulting in
intriguing new forms and styles; music instruction has also been subject to change,
especially through the establishment of western-influenced programmes.
Performing musicians in the world today may well be the product of both tradition
and change, reaping the benefit from a balance between the old and the new in the
training they receive; in the future, school music instruction may be the primary
opportunity for rekindling awareness of indigenous styles that have faded from
public interest. The energy generated by the contact of different cultural traditions
may be channeled into the production of new creative achievements, which might
enrich the society that experiences it. This is similarly echoed by Frank J. Lechner
and John Boli (2000).
Such an approach is increasingly urgent in the fast-paced, multicultural
world of today, where musical fashions can slide in and out of favour at great
speed. As we all interested in preserving something of Malay traditions, a question
arises as to how any such traditions might survive. Nettl (see 1983: 347-354),
believes that this may depend on the degree to which a society desires survival of
its cultural tradition in an intact form. He explains this in terms of the energy (that
is, time and effort) that a given society devotes to a panicular activity, such as an
art form: if new music evolves, then less energy is available for the old, and this
may lead to a thinning-down of the repertoire. However he claims that no
surviving race has completely abandoned its music as a direct result of western
influence, although its repertoire may be altered or diminished. But survival can
Mohd Nasir Hashim
15
take different forms. Nettl (ibid.) observes that musics may be preserved, almost as
museum pieces, for use on special occasions; mentions the case of South Korea,
where old musicians receive special status, and are designated national treasures.
Interestingly, their music is preserved from change to a greater degree than it might
have been in its natural habitat. This is precisely what needs to be addressed now
so as to reignite and nurture the interest of the younger generation i.e. they need to
be aware that the options are endless.
Change is inevitable within any community, what more change in terms of
WKHFXOWXUDOµQHHGV¶RIWKHVRFLHty with regards to music. In reality, the Malaysian
community, particularly the younger generation, are extremely fond of and are
influenced by western music. This should not necessarily be perceived as a
negative phenomenon or even be controlled/prevented by anyone. What is of more
concern is the overwhelming obsession with western music to the extent that
Malay Asli music is ignored or periphalised. In Malaysia today the passion for
modern music continues to grow rampantly but the survival of Malay Asli music is
solely dependent on the efforts of isolated groups of senior musicians. There will
surely be those who object or try to compete with external influences (namely
western music), but change is inevitable within the field of the arts. Unless society
itself takes direct steps or measures to prevent such influences from penetrating
society, these changes are inevitable. If society does not continue to nurture and
appreciate traditional arts, then its course would sadly be a natural death.
Variation of Malay Asli Music
16
References
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cross-cultural choreography. Proceedings of the International Dance Conference, Hong
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Guignard, S. (1991). Arts as a survival means: Some considerations about Western and
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Tradition and its future in music (pp. 337-340). Tokyo: Mita Press.
Hamm, C. E. (1991). The role of the contemporary mass media in the intercultural reception of
music. SIMS 1990 Osaka tradition and its future in music. Japan: Mita Press.
Hashim, M. N. (2000). Musical change: The development of Pan-Malaysian music. Tirai
Panggung, 3, 97.
Hashim, M. N. (2001). Regenerating interest in traditional musical styles through East/West
compositions: A model for an integrated university music curriculum in Malaysia
(Doctoral dissertation, University of Southampton, Southampton, pp. 23-27).
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mythology and lagend (pp. 1034). New York: Columbia University Press.
Kartomi, M. (1987). Kapri: A synthesis of Malay and Portuguese music on the West Coast of
North Sumatra. In R. Carle (Ed.), Cultures and societies of North Sumatra (pp. 351-394).
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Kartomi, M., & Blum, S. (1994). Music-cultures in contact: Convergences and collisions (pp.
252). Sydney: Currency Press.
Kaur, M. (2005, April 21). A cool twist to an Indian classical. New Straits Times (Life & Times),
p. 16.
Lechner, F. J., & Boli, J. (Eds.). (2000). General introduction. The globalization: Reader (pp. 2).
USA: Blackwell Publishers.
Matusky, P., & Tan, S. B. (1997). Music Malaysia: Traditional klasik, rakyat dan sinkertik.
Pulau Pinang & Kuala Lumpur: The Asia n Centre.
Matusky, P. (2004). Folk and syncretic music. In G. S. Yousof (Ed.), The encyclopedia of
Malaysia performing arts (Vol. 8, pp. 69).Singapore: Didier Millet.
Matusky, P. (2004). The music of Malaysia: The classical, folk and syncretic traditions (pp.
320). Aldershot, Hamsphire: Ashgate.
National Cultural Congress (1971). Cara-cara meninggikan mutu dan memperkayakan muzik
jenis asli dan tradisional Malaysia demi kepentingan negara [Ways to Empower
Tra dit ional Mala y Music for t he Nation] .
Nettl, B. (1973). Folk and traditional music of the western continents. New York: Prentice Hall.
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Nettl, B. (1983). The study of ethnomusicology: Twenty-nine issues and concepts (pp. 345).
Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
Nettl, B. (1985). The western impact on world music: Change, adaptation, and survival. New
York: Schiemer Books.
Neuman, D. M. (1977). The social organization of a music traditional: Hereditary specialists in
North India. Ethnomusicology, 21, 233-246.
Osman, M. T. (1974). Asas dan pertubuhan kebudayaan Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: KKBS.
Osman, M. T. (1984). Bunga rampai: Aspect of Malay culture (pp. 2). Kuala Lumpur: Dewan
Bahasa.
Quadros, A. (2002). Multiculturalism in music education: Backgroud, issues and models.
Retrieved from http://www.aare.edu.au/99pap/deq99600.htm
Sreenivasan, M. (2004, January 2). Fusion of Indian and western designs. New Straits Times, p.
9.
Tan, C. B. (1983). Acculturation and the Chinese in Malacca: The expression of Baba identity
today. In L. A. Peter Gosling & Y. C. Lim (Eds.), The Chinese in Southeast Asia (pp. 58).
Singapore: Maruzen Asia.
Tran, V. K. (1973). Traditional music and culture change: A study of acculturation. Cultures,
Music and Society, 1(1), 199-209.
Chapter 2
****** ******
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
Issues of Putting Folk Genres on Stage
Chan Cheong Jan
1-12
Abstract
Led by Hamiah Haji Ahmad, the Indung performance group of the Bantal Village in Ulu
Tembeling, Pahang, Malaysia has staged performances at National Park Resort, Universiti
Malaya, Melaka and other places since 1990s. As the musical styles of this genre were
determined by the nature of weeding work, attempts of staging Indung have brought problems of
contextual change, which could also be viewed as contextual 'mismatch' or even contextual
'conflicts', where the performers' construct of Indung was frequently jeopardized while the
audienc es' mind were dist anced a nd disconnected from the performance. I have observed and
written about this issue in 2006 and 2009, highlighting the impact of folklorism on this genre and
the appropriation done by the villagers in countering the disadvantage of their positions. In 21
July 2011, after a gap of more than ten years, Indung was staged again in Kuala Lumpur under
Chan Cheong Jan
19
the 82 years old Hamiah Haji Ahmad at a cross cultural dance festival organized by the National
Department for Culture and Arts. This time, Indung, performed by elder villagers, was placed
between tap dance performances by the Sayang Dancers which consisted of young female
dancers. Finally, t he observation of this per formance presents strong evidence of clash o f
aesthetic expectations and ritual requirements from the performers and the audience. A
framework or model to effectively representing the work-dependent folk genre to the public is
urgently needed to prevent further attempt to stage Indung without considering the unfulfilling
sentime nts of the villagers and the audience.
Introduction
My earlier writing (Chan, 2009) has explicated several issues surrounding Indung
as a performance, from the viewpoint of what Indung means or could mean to the
cultural bearers at the present time. Pondering upon the performance history of the
Kampung Bantal performance group between 1970s until then, the singers have
deliberately seized the performance opportunities to gain their voice as female,
and, rural citizens. Despite being not particularly well received by the internal
communities in Ulu Tembeling, Indung has been a vehicle, tool, or a soft weapon,
for the aged women to put themselves in spotlight, and at the same time
illuminating the folk identity of Kampung Bantal towards the external, larger
communities in Malaysia. The journey of this performance group, however, has
not always been smooth: the lime lights given were not necessary that of sincere
appreciation. It came along with bitter episodes like exploitation by the organizer
RUWKHµPLGGOHPDQ,¶ FRQIOLFW DPRQJ WKH JURXS PHPEHUV DVZHOO DV FRQIOLFW Zith
the surrounding family members in the village. Swimming through the challenges,
the performers had even found their subversive way to voice their hearts without
causing trouble: by incorporating subversive messages into their pantun (poem),
which went unnoticed to the guests and audiences due to the extensive interjection
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
20
of local vocables in their singing phrases that would bar the comprehension of
outsiders of what is being sung.
The reappearance of Bantal performance group on stage in Kuala Lumpur
in July 2011, after a gap of 19 years, gives a sound reason to discuss again the
issue of revitalization of Indung, and this time with the approach of outside in.
Instead of probing the meaning of Indung to the performers, it is apt to focus on the
impact of Indung to the spectators when it is staged in a concert. My main point of
the paper is that the effect of work-dependant folk traditions would be jeopardized
ZKHQWKHUHDUHVWDJHGLQWKHVDPHZD\VDVIRUWKHPRUHµDXWRQRPRXV¶ µJUHDWHU¶
performance based tradition. In July 2011, Indung was staged side by side, or after
and before to be precise, with tap dance performance by the Sayang Dancers. This
provokes not a small disturbance in the academic minds in thinking of the future of
cultural staging in this country.
Indung and the Performance Group at Bantal Village
Before the present observation is presented, it is necessary to give an overview of
what has happened until now. When rice growing in Ulu Tembeling was yet being
practisedonthedrypaddyfieldcalledhuma LQVWHDGRIWRGD\¶VZHWILHOGRUsawah,
women had to weed the field in groups for days after the young paddy had just
grown. It was during that weeding that Indung songs were sung.1,2
The wet paddy fields in Ulu Tembeling today no longer require hand
weeding. Indung was put up as a performance in as early as the 1970s, during the
6XOWDQ RI 3DKDQJ 6WDWH¶V YLVLW WR 8OX 7HPEHOLQJ ,Q D PLQRU UHYLWDOL]DWLRQ
project was carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Malaysia. Since
then a group of old women in Bantal Village had continued singing Indung at a
frequency of about two to five times a year until the present time, whenever there
is a request for a performance.3
Chan Cheong Jan
21
Upon the formation of a performing group that consists of around seven
persons, the text of Indung was recalled and rearranged mainly by Hamiah Haji
Ahmad (Mak Miah) and Wok Mak Alim (Mak Wok). The rest of the founding
members of the group were also experienced singers who had been weeding during
their younger days, including Mahani Mat Petah; Seripah Haji Ahmad; Jaharah;
Juariah; Rebiah and others; with the average age of the performers being around 50
years old then (in the 1990s). The members of the group are however not fixed but
changed from time to time.4
In the past twenty years, the Bantal performance group has performed
mainly at celebration events held by local bodies such as the state government and
the district office; this includes performances for National dD\ WKH 6XOWDQ¶V
anniversary at places like Kuantan, Kuala Tembeling, Batu Bun and Bantal Village
itself.5In 1993, Norazit Selat, who arrived at Bantal Village after his unsatisfactory
field study of Indung in Ulu Dungun (personal interaction, Norasit Selat, 1999),
brought the Bantal performance group to perform at Universiti Malaya, during the
Pesta Minggu Kesenian Pahang [Pahang Performing Arts Festival] organised by
WKH =D¶ED UHVLGHQWLDO FROOHJH RI WKH XQLYHUVLW\ 0DN 0LDK 0DN :RN DQG RWKHUV
recalled their excitement in participating in this event and also their sightseeing
excursions in Kuala Lumpur. The Bantal performance group also participated in
the Pertandingan Pantun Kebangsaan [National Pantun Competition] in Melaka
1994, as guest performers.
After the performance in Melaka in 1994, a schoolteacher teaching in Bantal
Village documented Indung on his own and published a few articles in a local
newspaper (Roselan Abdul Malek, 1995); and this was followed by my visit in
1996. There have been changes in the performers of the Bantal group since 1994,
where many performers have stopped participating: some due to age, others due to
human relationship problems. By 1999, when I carried out my fieldwork at Ulu
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
22
Tembeling, Mak Miah and Mak Wok were the only ones remaining from the
original group. The Indung performance at Bantal Village nowadays has to recruit
members for each performance, including those who are not familiar with the
VRQJV )URP WKH YLOODJHUV¶ YLHZSRLQW Indung has declined after 1994 and needs
revitalisation (Personal interaction, Zaimi Ali, 1997) although from the
JRYHUQPHQW¶VYLHZWKHUHYLWDOLVDWLRQLV³LQSURJUHVV´DWWKHWLPHRI
Despite years of performance history, all performances were allocated with a
limited time; the longest performance was for half an hour for seven songs or so at
University Malaya in 1993. The complete performance of 37 songs was carried out
twice: in an audio recording session held at University Malaya on the day
following the stage show in 1993; and the audiovisual recording carried out in
.DPSXQJ %DQWDO LQ E\ &KDQ 7RWKH D XWKRU¶V NQRZOHGJH WKHUH KDV
not been any large scale formal event of staging Indung between 1999 until 2011.6
Description: On Stage
%DQWDOSHUIRUPLQJJURXS¶VLQYROYHPHQWLQWKHHYHQWSURJUDPFDOOHG ³*HUDN
0HQ\H UODK .UHDW LYLWL´ LV \HW D XQLT XHR QH IURP LWV SHUIR UPDQFH KLVWRU\ XQWLO QRZ
Although Indung is requested more or less in the folklorism context, that is, to
showcase its cultural identity; the event itself is not aimed at such. It is a program
to show case dances organized under a thematic and trans-genre concept, which
ambitiously included within it dances of various genres like the mek mulung,
ngajat lasan of the Iban, tap dance, hip hop, dance theatre, and so on. Indung, is
SHUKDSVLQFOXGHGDVRQHRIWKHµWUDGLWLRQDO¶GDQFHLQWKLVPL[JHQUHHYHQW,WLVQRZ
taken as a dance, and would be staged as a dance, in a performance based, not
cultural based, event: Not as poem recitation as in the performance in Melaka in
QHLWKHU DV FXOWXUDO VKRZ WKDW WKH\ KDYH SHUIRUPHG LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO )RUHVW¶V
Park. In a way, this situation provides an opportunity for Indung to be transformed
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
24
Auditorium DBKL was considerably filled with audience, of which many
are young people, including students. Judging from the nature of the event, and
also the absence of lay audience (meaning tourists, or unrelated public), it seems
the majorities of audience are either supporters to a particular dance group or are
related to the event in one way or another, or in some ways, dance enthusiasts.
In terms of the sequence of performance, Indung was sandwiched between
tap dance items by the group called Sayang Dancer. Interestingly, when each time
the hosts gave announcement to the next performance, it was done in a way that
the subsequent two performance items were introduced together. Hence, when
Indung performers walked into the stage, it was a situation where the tap dancers
have just left the stage, and there were no announcement in between these two
items.
The walking in of the Indung performers took longer time as required.
While the six dancers were getting seated in a circle in the center of stage, Mak
Miah, the solo singer, was escorted slowly in to the left end of the stage, preparing
her text (written in a notebook) placed on a book stand. This process was
accompanied by upbeat back ground music, probably to fill up the gap of waiting
by the audience.
TheentireperformanceofIndung lasted 8 minutes, presenting three songs
which are Ambil Anak Indung,Burung Belatuk, and Sayang Salela. As the typical
structure of response (jawab) by group and poem (pantun) by solo was being
performed, two stanzas of poem (pantun) was sung for each song. The short
duration for each song appeared odd at least to those who are familiar with the
genre, but Mak Miah knew well about it. It has been a typical situation when
Indung is staged. She was used to being briefed or foretold about the limitation of
time by the organizer. She has had to face the fact that they would not get to sing
Indung to their satisfaction on stage, as how they used to do it in the village. As a
Chan Cheong Jan
25
work song, a song in Indung was to be repeated several times with new poem
being sung to each repetition. Even when Indung was sung for sheer play without
weeding, it would usually not end with two stanzas of pantun. It was too short to
be fun, especially for the singers themselves.
When the spirit of Anak Indung was called upon in the first song Ambil
Anak Indung, the singing structure was altered where the number of response was
drastically reduced. The solo singing of one stanza (four lines, or two pair of
phrases) of pantun ZDV XVXDOO\ LQWHUMHFWHG E\WKH JURXS UHVSRQVHRI³2KDQDN----
in---dung,´LQZKLFKUHVSRQVHLVVXQJDIWHUWKHILUVWWZROLQHVRIDVWDQ]D RIVROR
phrase, creating a lively and responsive mood of call and response. In this
performance, however, response was sung only after the entire stanza was
completed by the soloist, where not only the total number of response was reduced
until three times only for the entire song, but the time gap between one response
and the other was lengthened, hence weakening the interactive mood of the play.
The performance of Indung stood out from the other dances in many ways.
The appearance of aged women, somewhat not tuned to the urban culture of
HIILFLHQF\ LQ VWDJH SHUIRUPDQFH KDV EURXJKW XSRQ WKH FDVXDO LQIRU PDO YLOODJH¶V
atmosphere to the auditorium. Musically, Indung is unaccompanied single part
singing, with its rhythmic features closely tied to the gesture of weeding. The
absence of the sound of instrument during Indung¶VSHUIRUPDQFHFRXSOHGZLWKWKH
casualness of the gesture of the performers, contributed in a rather loose and empty
sonic as well as visual moment during the eight minutes of performance.
What caught my, and pHUKDSV DOVR RWKHUV¶ DWWHQWLRQ ZDV WKHUHVSRQVH RIWKH
audience, which was remarkably unusual compared to that when other dances were
performed. There had been continuous and persistent voice of wide yelling at
various points of the performance, which at first maybe taken as voice of cheering,
but later has become nothing but impolite, emotionally invasive and perhaps
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
26
insulting. Right at the point when the dancers walked into the stage, the yelling
begins. It returned when the dancers performed the ending gesture of <Ambil Anak
Indung>. When the dancers raised their knife (or known as kiut) and shouted, the
crowd joined in to yell widely.
While the first song was performed without dancing, Burung Belatuk and
Timang Landak are among the favourite songs for dance in Indung. As soon as the
dance gestures began, the performers were again showered by yelling from the
audience. The dance gesture was not well synchronized; the discrepancies in
choreography were obvious. At this point, the audience began to clap along the
dance, riding on the metrical rhythm of the tune. When it came to the solo singing
of the poem, however, the hall turned into nothing more than a chat room. Clearly
more than half of the audience began to ignore the show on stage. These inattentive
behaviours of the audience continued until the end of the entire performance of
Indung.
Chan Cheong Jan
27
Figure 27KHSHUIRUPDQFHRI1DW.LQJ&ROH¶VLove by Sayang Dancers
Chan Cheong Jan
29
After the unsynchronized ending of Timang Landak, the hosts announced a
closure to the Indung performance. The performers, however, were slow to leave
the stage. Not only that, Mak Seripah, one of the dancers, pulled the neighboring
dancer to sit down again, as if they were going to sing another song. It was too late
to do so then, as the stage crews had came in to escort them out from the stage. In
WKH PLGVW RI WKHVH KD]DUGRXV PRYHPHQWV LW ZDV KHDUG RI 0DN 6HULSD K¶V YRLFH
singing the response phrase of Pulang Anak Indung, the song which is ritually
obligated when the play of Indung ends. This singing voice soon stopped and all
performers eventually left the stage. The stage was then taken over by the Sayang
'DQFHUV D JURXSRI \RXQJ IHPDOH WDS GDQFHUV GDQFLQJ 1DW .LQJ&ROH¶V QXPEHU
LOVE, with their well choreographed, swift and lively performance.
Description: Off Stage
The performers were far from being relief after the performance. In fact, the four
senior members who came from Bantal village were seemed in a hurry to gather at
the changing room. Sitting on the floor in a circle, they began singing Pulang Anak
Indung, with Mak Seripah taking the role as solo singer. Once the spirit of Anak
Indung was called at the beginning of the performance, it is obligatory to perform
the sending back of the spirit, of which failing to do so may bring disaster to the
village. This ritual has been well kept by the performers, and it is a typical situation
again that they were not allow the time to finish the performa nce properly on stage.
In the past, the group has been singing Pulau Anak Indung in their accommodation
room.
A small episode that happened after the singing of Pulang Anak Indung shed
some lights on the true nature of Indung. Feeling relief after completing the ritual
requirements, the villagers began to chat with visitors in the changing room. They
soon turned into dancing and singing of another Indung song Sayang Salela,
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
30
demonstrating the dancing steps for that song. The voluntary play of Indung
continued for the next 10 minutes, and some visitors joined in dancing. Indung
EHFDPH DOLYH WKHQ ,W ZDV IXQ $V WKH YLOODJHUV FRQVWDQWO\ XVH WKH WHUP µPDLQ¶
(play) to refer to participation of Indung LQVWHDG RI µQ\DQ\L¶ RU µWDUL¶ Whis small
episode of casual play of Indung seemed to bring out a sharp message: that Indung
is a play and is to be played, before it is sung, danced or performed. It is a genre
that is participatory in nature. Indung is first and foremost, a game for the fun of
the player, not a show to be watched and amused.
Discussion: What is Staging and How Hostile it is to Indung
Staged subject is extraordinary. The content is selective. The dynamic flows
outward, towards the audience. Time on stage is eternal. Tireless effort is poured in
to preparation for the limited duration of time on stage. The effect of say one
minute on stage impacts the spectators, as if that one minute is endlessly extended,
value multiplied in the mind of the perceivers. There is a power exchange between
those who are on stage and the audience. Whatever being staged becomes the
centre of the collective awareness, it summons the attention of the audience. And
for that limited time of performance, the visual and audio frame from the stage
replace the sense of the audience, almost as if the stage has taken the authority to
dictate what is true, right, and controls the emotion of the audience. In return, the
audience is waiting to be served. The ones on stage is obliged to provide all that is
to be heard and seen, and there must be sufficient changes in the content, packed
concisely within the time frame. The content has to be intensive. The preparation
has to be well ordered. The performance has to be appealing, and arresting enough
to reward the undivided attention given by the audience.
Chan Cheong Jan
31
Figure 2.4 Happening at back stage after the performance (Upper: performers singing Pulang
Anak Indung to send the spirit of Indung back;lower:performersenjoyingtheplayofIndung
together with visitors)
When Indung PHHWV 6D\DQJ GDQFHUV VKH ZRXOG ILQG KHUVHOI ³OLNH a deer
UXQQLQJLQWRDYLOODJH´± looking at the competitors being so equipped, refined and
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
32
experienced with all that it needs to survive a stage performance. Young and
beautiful ladies, dressed in smart and a little sexy attire; not only their
choreography is extraordinary-one that is full of quick changes throughout that
short period of show, but the facial expressions and postures were also
extraordinary-constantly exaggerated outwardly so that they were effective to the
audience. Indung, however, brings together with it a set of contextual apparatus,
which she finds it hard to accommodate these apparatus into the stage setting.
Indung consumes time differently from a modern dance. It would be hard,
and disgrace to call the spirit in such a hurry. Repetition is the engine. It must be
allowed to take time to repeat, and be given an unrestricted time for her to gain
space, for her to feel at home. The solo singer needs to secure her ground before
she can sing, and further, to improvise the pantun according to the will of her
heart. Whatever songs cherished, body movements enjoyed, they are for the
contentment of the players, so they were not meant to be expressed outward to the
audience.
Once Indung is on stage: Mak Miah simply wanted to play, to express, to
continue practicing the tradition. She did not intend to be the prima donna of the
PRPHQWQHYHUGLGVKHZDQWWRVXPPRQWKH³XQGLYLGHG´DWWHQWLRQ RIHYHU\RQH,W
is therefore natural that the Indung performance would leave such a centric stage
with ample looseness and empty space in terms of audio and visual stimuli. The
dancers have never thought of filling up the mind and perception of the audience,
and neither do they know how to do so. Time is not eternal on stage for the Indung
players. They may only be able to find their Indung if they are allowed to bring the
µVWDJH-EDVHGWLPHFRQFHSW¶WRWKHLUFRPPXQLW\-based one, at least they need to sing
more than two stanzas of poem for one song, without reducing the number of
response-phrases. If, this is an assumption, they are allowed to take their time their
way, a performance of three songs may take 12 to 15 minutes- to them is not a big
Chan Cheong Jan
33
matter compared to 8 minutes, but to the organizer that would be luxurious or
redundant, depending on the way one looks at it. The Indung players do not like to
be pressured. They do not feel obliged to intensify the content, to increase the
frequency of changes, to increase it attractions. They are not going for the efficient
way that would fight for the value of every single minute and second on the stage,
and to enlarge the impact of the limited time frame. They wanted the reverse,
which is a more relaxed way to use time in their play. The consequence of Indung
meets Sayang dancers is plain: that Indung will be seen out of place in the modern
auditorium.
The Fundamental Heteronomy of Indung
Osamu Yamaguti did not discuss much when he raised the two types of nature of a
music, namely ji-ritsu teki ongaku and ta-ritsu teki ongaku (Yamguti 2000:86). Ji
means self, while ritsu rules or governance. Ta refers to other. Ji-ritsu nature of
music means it is of self governance, while ta-ritsu means that which is ruled of
governed by other. The equivalent to this pair of term in English would be the
autonomous versus the heteronomous nature of music. While it is not a either or
way of categorization but a spectrum between the two dichotomized ends, music
that has strong autonomous nature is much independent as an art, has its own rules
for its structures and substructures, and is more ready to be appreciated as music
itself. Any staged art music, classical music, and theatre would have a strong
autonomy in terms of the governance of its inner structure. In contrast, music that
is more heteronomous in nature, is those that are determined extensively by extra -
musical features, that are more dependent on the particular social context in which
the music is used. Music for rituals, funerals, religion, lullabies, and work can be
very dependent on its social context.
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
34
The term heteronomy is used in linguistic, where heteronomous language refers to
a language that uses terms and words from other language, which its characters and
identity is hard to define. The term heteronomy was used in the field of music
composition as well, where heteronomy refers to a group of musical ideas or
structure that are determined by the other music ideas or structures (Xenakis,
1992:111). In the field of jazz study, jazz was once described as heteronomy to
classical, in which the jazz phrases were, like the case of heteronomous language,
HFOHFWLFDOO\ µERUURZHG¶ IURP WKH :HVWHUQ FODVVLFDO PXVLF %HQVRQ ,W
would be necessary that, when the term heteronomy is applied, the reference is
PDGHFOHDUWKDWZHZRXOGNQRZWKDWDVXEMHFWLVKHWHURQRP\WRµZKDW.¶
In coiling this term heteronomy to Indung, a music tradition is heteronomous
not in the sense of that of the linguistic, composition and jazz, that it is governed
not by the others of the same type (e.g. a language governed by other languages, a
music governed by other musics), but by extra-musical factors. The music structure
of Indung is determined by the nature of weeding in several but essential ways.
First of all, the lyrical and seemingly free metric structure of majority of the
Indung repertoire derives from that rhythm of the weeding work by hand using the
knife. One could hardly be metrical and in consistent tempo if the weeding work is
to be effective. As the songs were sung initially to facilitate a particular work, it
does not warrant musical excitement through mere audition. The musical structure
of Indung, its tempo, rhythm, its extension of syllabus, and so on, becomes
sensible when one participates in playing it. It is understandable that audience
would find it hard to enjoy the music when Indung is put on stage. If Indung is a
kind of heteronomous music, it will not be able to stand alone on stage, in a
concert hall, without bringing in the presence of the extra musical factor which
governs it.
Chan Cheong Jan
35
Conclusion: a Word to the Cultural Officers
, UHLWHUDWH WKLV SKUDVH ³Indung is a play (game) and is to be played, before it is
VXQJ GDQFHG RU SHUIRUPHG ,W LV D JHQUH WKDW LV SDUWLFLSDWRU\ LQ QDWXUH´ 7KH
anxiety, and eagerness to represent a traditional culture is to be tamed by careful
thinking based on in depth understanding of the nature of the subject to be
exhibited. I call for the recognition of the heteronomy nature of many of the local
music traditions in our country, and that a special framework is needed in dealing
with these musics. Revitalization of a music tradition does not mean simply create
events to stage it, to perform it publicly: we need to be more resourceful than this.
For the numerous musics that are determined by and inseparable with its social and
cultural context, creative ways are needed to make them alive through a more
participatory and experiential way, of which venue like drum circle session,
community music session, and music education in school would be a much better
place than the stage platform. In case when a heteronomous music is staged, the
audience need to be SUHSDUHGWR DSSUHFLDWH WKHµFRXQWHUVWDJH¶ PXVLFTXDOLWLHVWKH
repetition, the sense of time, and the extra-musical factors. This preparation is only
possible if the audience are willing to learn something different and new to them.
At the same time, we should be more critical at how music culture is
represented on stage. It is a natural cause that the veteran folk dancers and
musicians have been skilfully but superficially altering the performance content so
that it fits the demands of the stage; that the performance is more eye catching,
ILOOHG ZLWK IUHTXHQW FKDQJHV DQG PRUH µHQWHUWDLQLQJ¶ WR WKH H[WHQW WKDW ZKDW LV
showed on stage is never what it claims it is- a folk dance of certain cultural
FRPPXQLW\ ZLWK LPSOLHG ³DXWKHQWLFLW\´ 7KH VR FDOOHG 2UDQJ 8OX¶VDQHWKQLF
category of the natives in the Sarawak state) dance on stage, for example, where
male and female dancers are performing simultaneously, is the outcome of effort of
WU\LQJWRSDFNPRUH³GLVKHVRQWKHWDEOH´WRIHHGWKH audience. It is alarming to the
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
36
organisers of cultural event that not all tourist and audience are as immature as to
EHVDWLVILHGE\WKHVXSHUILFLDO³VWXQWV´GHOLYHUHGRQVWDJH,WLVRIWKHXWPRVWLURQ\
when the local younger generations obtain their education of traditional music and
dance through watching these altered versions of stage performances; which they
always do. The promotion of a tradition has in turned ended up in killing it, and
there is no surprise that many young people, local music students especially, think
that local music traditions are monotonous.
Notes
1 The meaning o f the word Indung remains unidentifiable among the villagers; the leader
of the performance group Mak Miah admitted that she did not know what Indung is. However it
seems most reasonable to interpret Indung as something similar to the spirit of rice as stated by
Norazit Selat (Norazit, 1999).
2 Different villages in Ulu Tembeling may have different stories describing its origin, and
the origin may have so me relat ions to the cultural relat ionship between Ulu Tembeling and Ulu
Dungun. Dayang, the court maid is commonly believed to have played an important role in
promoting the oral tradition of Indung. The Bantal villagers believe in the existence of Bukit
Tujuh and the role that as played by the spirits or orang burnian, especially the seven princesses,
in dealing with their oral traditions. In any case, the Ulu Tembeling people believe that Indung
was not the result of their own creativity, but it was rather introduced by outsider(s), may the
outsider(s) be the spirits or other people coming from another place.
3Indung is specifically found being practiced in the area of Ulu Tembeling and Ulu
Dungun only. Mohd. Taib Osman (1977) first reported Indung in Ulu Tembeling in 1974, but
Indung became known to the general public only in 1993 when the performance group was
brought to perform at University Malaya. Literature that focuses on Indung include the paper
presented at the Seminar of Traditional Folk Songs in 1999 by Norazit Selat (1999).
Chan Cheong Jan
37
4 Mak Tut, and Azmi, for example, though not young, participated in the per formanc es of
the 1990s as fresh beginners. Four teenagers participated in Indung performance during my
fieldwork in 1999.
5 The former minister of the Pahang State, Yahya Awang, whom the Bantal villagers are
IRQGRIE\FDOOLQJE\WKHQLFNQDPHRI3DN¶\DKFRQWULEXWHGWRWKH UHYLWDOLVDWLRQ RI Indung in
terms of arranging public performance events, and also in terms of motivating the performers by
his presence at Bantal Village. According to Mak Miah, he suggested choreographing dance
movements for some songs that were not for dance originally; and also limiting the shout ing of
³\XK´IURPWKUHHWLPHVWRRQHSHUVRQDOLQWHUDFWLRQHamiah Haji Ahmad, 1999).
6 This was confirmed when the author visited the Bantal village and interviewed the
Indung performers in 2007.
Indung Meets Sayang Dancers
38
References
Benson, B. E. (2006). The fundamental heteronomy of jazz improvisation. Revue Internationale
de Philosophie, 238, 453-467.
Bowker, J. (1997). Great tradition. The concise Oxford dictionary of world religions. Retrieved
November 20, 2011, from http://www.encyclopedia.co m/doc/1O101-Greattradition.Html
Chan, C. J. (2003). What is our authentic music culture? The study of Ethnomusicology and the
identity of Malay folksongs. In C. J. Chan, et al. (Eds.), Music in a multidisciplinary
context. Serdang: UPM Press.
Chan, C. J. (2006). Context and transcontextualisation as theoretical frames in charting future
directions for Malaysian music education. In R. Tahir & C. J. Chan (Eds), Perspectives in
music education in Malaysia. Shah Alam: Upena Press.
Chan, C. J. (2009). Folksong, gender and folklorism: The dynamics of Indung in the Malay
community of Ulu Tembeling. In G. Jaehnichen & C. J. Chan (Eds.), Observing
analysing, contextualising music. Serdang: UPM Press.
Selat, N. (1999, September 6-8). Indung: Lagu rakyat dari Hulu Tembeling, Pahang [Indung:
The folksong from Ulu Tembeling]. Paper presented at the Seminar Lagu Rakyat
Tradisional Nusantara. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Roselan, A. M. (1995, December 19). Tarian Indong kebanggaan Kampung Bantai [Indung
dance the pride of Bantal Village]. Utusan Malaysia, pp. 29.
Xenakis, I. (1992). Formalised music: Thought and mathematics in composition. Mid
Glamorgan, UK: Pendragon Press.
Yamaguti, O. (2000). Ôyô Ongakugaku [Applicative Musicology]. Tôkyô: H ôsô Daigaku
Kyôiku Shink ôkai.
Chapter 3
****** ******
Developing Malaysian High School
Marching Bands
Issues, Challenges and Strategies
Shahanum Mohamad Shah
Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
1-12
Abstract
Since the marching band was first introduced in Malaysia during the British colonial period,
there has been a progressively increased interest in marching bands in the country. Although
bands range in style, the most commonly found bands in Malaysia are military bands or
traditional parade units. The recent years however, has seen a rise in the number of marching
show bands and drum corps units in Malaysia which integrate a theatrical performance expressed
through music. Although the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and other organizations have made
consistent efforts to o rganize competitions as an avenue for bands to showcase their abilities,
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
40
many issues have arisen due to the nature of the competition. The system in use then appeared to
discourage creativity in performance and hence the development of bands in line with current
trends of marching show bands and drum corps. This prompted the Malaysia Band Association
to introduce a change in the judging system as well as to train judges with contemporary
marching band techniques. The Drum Corps Europe (DCE) judging system was selected partly
as this system is a means of enco urag ing new st andards of creativity, artistry and excellence in
design and performance while also providing a vehicle that will educate beginners to grow and
evolve to the greatest level of their potential. After two years since its implementation for the
National Band Competition, it is important to gauge if and how this new judging system is
contributing towards the development of marching bands. The purpose of this study was to
examine issues and challenges associated with the implementation of the DCE judging s ystem in
terms of improving the quality and standards of bands and to identify strategies for the
development of marching bands in Malaysia.
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection in this study. A
survey questionnaire was distributed to band directors and band managers to elicit responses in
three areas namely the assessment criteria, feedback system by judges and suggestions for future
developments. Interviews were also conducted with selected individuals regarding the
challenges of organizing competitions and strategies for the development of marching bands.
Results indicate that band directors and managers generally accepted the DCE system in terms of
the assessment criteria and competition rules. Via the issues and challenges identified, nine
strategies are suggested for the continuous development of Malaysian high school marching
bands.
Introduction
Marching bands exist in many forms throughout the world and there is a
widespread of competitive circuits for marching bands. While differing opinions
exist, many feel that competitions are a useful media for developing bands. Beach
(cited in Austin, 1990) felt that the goal of competition ZDV³QRWWRZLQDSUL]HEXW
WRSDFHRQHDQRWKHURQWKHURDGWRH[FHOOHQFH´DQGDGYRFDWHGXVLQJFRPSHWLWLRQDV
a tool of educational progress. Competition in music is also thought to help
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
41
generate student interest, stimulate higher achievement levels, measure
achievement in comparison to peers, and to prepare students for the real world
(Austin, 1990).
Depending upon the region or country, competitions including the judging
system used can take different forms. Among some of the judging systems used are
a cumulative scoring system based on a maximum point value, a percentage
system, categorization of score into score ranges, the use of a division rating
system only with non-numerical score or the ranking of bands with no comparative
musical score (Oakley, 1972). These competitions may use anything from two or
more judges particularly in marching band competitions utilizing auxiliary unit
judges, percussion judges, color guard judges and so forth (ibid.). Critiques are
also given to bands in a competition in which it is increasingly common to see
judges using audio recording to document their comments.
While there has been much research conducted on bands, few however, have
focused on the educational and developmental aspects of competition in relation to
the marching band, and specifically on attitudes of band directors and school
administrators towards the judging philosophy, standards, and procedures used in a
competition. Research on marching bands have focused on attitudes of directors
and band members (e.g., Rogers, 1985), rehearsal and student performance
(Adams, 1992; Smith, 1999), and overall competitive systems and processes
(Frenz, 1988; Guegold, 1989; Oakley, 1972; Sullivan, 2003) and motivational
factors.
Rogers (1985) conducted a study on the attitudes of high school band
directors and principals towards marching band contests. Questionnaires were sent
out to 421 randomly selected high schools from all 50 states in the United States of
America. The study found that principals view marching band contests as a way to
improve public relations for their schools. Meanwhile, band directors were found
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
42
to perceive marching band contests as a way for students to gain personal benefit
in terms of self-discipline, responsibility and pride. The results of the study also
show that band directors rated the musical benefits of marching band competitions
lower than principals. Additional comments given by the two groups of
respondents indicate that band directors were concerned about the overemphasis on
competitions. Meanwhile, comments given by some principals included praise for
the public relations value of marching band contests. Others question the
educational benefits and also the expenses associated with traveling to
competitions.
Another study on attitudes of band directors towards band competitions was
conducted by Banister (1992). Her study aimed to determine the attitudes of band
directors from selected schools in Ohio towards marching band and concert band
competitions. Results from her survey show that band directors whose band
participated in marching band and concert band competitions had a more positive
outlook towards marching band competitions compared to those directors who
participate solely in concert band contests. Results of the study also show that band
GLUHFWRUV EHOLHYHG SDUWLFLSDWLRQ LQ EDQG FRPSHWLWLRQV LPSURYHV VWXGHQWV¶
musicianship, builds character, and helps to sustain a successful and viable
instrumental music program.
Yahl (2009) conducted a study to determine the attitudes of high school
band directors and students regarding the Ohio Music Education Association
(OMEA) Large Group Adjudicated Events. Based on the data gathered from the
survey, Yahl concluded that both directors and students agreed that Large Group
Adjudicated Events are an important part of high school band programs. Both
directors and students agree that making music and receiving comments from
adjudicators are of higher importance than the ratings earned at a contest.
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
43
The marching band was first introduced in Malaysia during the British
colonial period. Currently in Malaysia, the marching band is a co-curricular
activity in schools which have the necessary means to establish and maintain a
band. The recent years has seen a relatively significant development in marching
band trends in Malaysia in terms of the types of bands that have emerged.
Although the most commonly found bands in Malaysia are military bands or
traditional parade units, the number of marching show bands and drum corps units
which integrate a theatrical performance expressed through music has generally
increased. There has been increased interest in marching bands due to the
participation of various schools in marching band competitions. Efforts have been
made by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia to organize annual band
competitions. In these competitions, the format has typically been for each band to
FRPSHWH ILUVW DW WKH FRXQWU\¶V VWDWH OHYHO DQG VXEVHTXHQWO\ XSon winning, to
represent their state at the national level marching band competition. Judges are
appointed from the various music fraternities at both the state and national level.
However, this system does not allow the best bands in the country to compete even
though a particular band might be better than a winning band from another state.
The Ministry of Education, Malaysia and other organizations have made
consistent efforts to organize band competitions as an avenue for bands to
showcase their abilities. However, many issues have arisen due to the nature of the
competition. The system in use then appeared to discourage creativity in
performance and hence the development of bands in line with current trends of
marching show bands and drum corps. This prompted the Malaysia Band
Association to introduce a change in the judging system as well as to train judges
with contemporary marching band techniques. The Drum Corps Europe (DCE)
judging system was selected partly as this system is a means of encouraging new
standards of creativity, artistry and excellence in design and performance while
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
44
also providing a vehicle that will educate beginners to grow and evolve to the
greatest level of their potential.
The DCE judging system was first introduced to the Malaysian band
adjudicated event in the year 2009 during the inception of the Malaysia World
Band Championship (MWBC). This was in part due to the dissatisfaction of two
key people behind the efforts of introducing the DCE system of judging which
were Zaharul L. Saidon and Zulkifli Ishak, the current President and Deputy
President of the Malaysian Band Association respectively. Both felt that the
judging system in use at that time seemed to discourage creativity in performance.
Zaharul and Zulkifli realized the need to change the judging system as well as to
introduce and train judges with contemporary marching band techniques (Zulkifli,
personal communication, March 18, 2011). As the underlying philosophy of the
Drum Corps Europe is the pursuit of high standards of achievement through
competition, only the best bands get to compete at the national level.
The philosophy underpinning the new DCE judging system as stated in the
Drum Corps Europe Competition Manual Version 9.0 (2011) is as follows:
This system is a means to encourage and reward new standards of creativity,
artistry and excellence in design (Content) and performance (Achievement) while
providing a vehicle that will educate beginners in such a way that they will grow to
understand and evolve to the greatest level of their potential.
The system acknowledges the joint efforts of designers, instructors and performers
through understanding that excellence and artistry are displayed through the design
and that those same designs are recognized and credited through the artistry of
performance.
This system utilizes a method of subjective evaluation that rewards the
achievement of positive qualities and offers continued encouragement to strive for
greater achievement. This is a positive system rewarding successful efforts, and is
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
45
designed to encourage corps to develop, maintain and project their own styles.
Therefore, DCE and its Certified Partners emphasize creativity, originality, taste,
and excellence. Growth and creativity are to be rewarded (Drum Corps Europe
Manual, 2011, p. 13).
The DCE judging system adjudicates the performance of a corps based on
three different captions, namely: (i) Field Performance (ii) Ensemble (iii) General
Effect. Each caption has a musical and a visual element to it. Judges for the Field
performance evaluate the individual or small segment of a corps; judges for the
Ensemble evaluate larger segments and the whole corps, while judges for the
General Effect evaluate the musical and visual performance as a whole. All three
captions are evaluated from two viewpoints: (i) Content i.e., what is written or
designed, and ii) Achievement i.e., the way the performers display the content.
Following the training of a group of Malaysian judges (Bijl, 2010; Thomas,
2010), the DCE system was then implemented for the National Band Competition
in 2010 and again in 2011. After two years since its implementation for the
National Band Competition, it is important to gauge if and how this new judging
system is contributing towards the development of marching bands. The purpose
of this study was to examine the issues and challenges associated with the
implementation of the DCE system to improve the quality and standards of bands
and to provide strategies for the development of marching bands.
Method
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection in this
study. The first part of the data collection used a survey questionnaire which was a
revised version of an earlier study by Shahanum and Zaharul (2011) conducted
after the first year of having implemented the DCE judging system. There were
three sections in the current questionnaire: Section A consisted of 16 questions
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
46
relating to the assessment criteria of the judging system, Section B consisted of 16
questions relating to the rules of the competition, and Section C consisted of 12
questions eliciting responses to suggestions for the future development of bands,
including an open-ended question for band directors and band managers to provide
their own suggestions for improving the quality of bands. Subjects were required
to respond to each question using a 5-point Likert scale anchored by the terms
Strongly Agree (5) to Strongly Disagree (1).
The questionnaire was distributed to 25 band directors and band managers
whose bands had participated in the National Band Competition in 2010 and/or
2011. Ten band directors representing the Federal Territory, Northern, Southern,
and East Malaysian zones responded to the questionnaire.
Interviews were also conducted with selected individuals involved in
organizing band competitions and the development of marching bands.
Respondents were Mr. Rashid bin Mean, Assistant Director of the Co-Curriculum
Unit, Ministry of Education, Malaysia and Datuk Zulkifli Ishak, Chief Executive
Officer of ZI Production, as the organizing body of the national band competition.
Questions asked were related to the challenges faced in organizing band
competitions and developing bands as well as strategies being planned.
Analysis
Questionnaire
The results of the responses to the questionnaire items are shown in Table 1.
Respondents are in agreement for most of the questions pertaining to the judging
system being used for the band competition with means ranging from 4.2 to 5.0 for
items 1 - 7, and 10 ±16. Questions to these items relate to the point system,
commentary system and the implementation of the DCE judging system as a
means for improving the quality of bands. Item 8 received the lowest mean of 2.0
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
47
whereby respondents did not agree with the use of field judges only for the final
round of the competition. The mean rating for item 9 was 3.8 which indicate the
respondents are inclined to agree that both local and international judges should be
used for the competition.
The second section of the questionnaire consists of questions pertaining to
the competition rules. A similar trend of results is seen in responses to the items in
this section. Mean ratings ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 were indicated for items 2 ±5
and 8 ±15. Item 7 had a mean rating of 3.4 indicating that respondents were
unsure about the order of performance for the finals being based on ranking from
the lowest to highest marks obtained during the preliminaries. Both items 1
(division of bands into six zones) and 16 (penalty for errors) had mean ratings of
3.6. Item 6 had the lowest mean rating of 2.6 indicating that respondents did not
agree that the competition was only open to government and government-aided
schools.
The last section of the questionnaire required responses to suggestions for
the future development of Malaysian high school bands. Except for item 12,
respondents agreed with suggestions to create divisions according to the levels of
the bands and to organize specific competitions for the various sections of the band
such as the percussion section and the color guard section. With a mean of 3.0 for
item 12, they were however, unsure about involving premier bands to compete in
band competitions.
The questionnaire included an open-ended question in which respondents
were requested to provide their own suggestions for the development of bands. The
summary of responses is given below:
1. Equal opportunity should be given to all bands in the country, be it from
government, government-aided or private schools to enter band competitions.
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
48
There are several private schools with good bands that cannot enter band
competitions due to the conditions set by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
2. The band is a uniformed body that needs high capital to establish and maintain.
Many premier schools and day schools have bands that are immobile due to
financial constraints and limited musical instruments. The system of sharing
pitched percussion instruments among schools as practiced in Indonesia could
be implemented in Malaysia and this can encourage knowledge sharing.
3. International judges should be brought in to judge the competitions.
4. Band competitions should be established at the primary school levels to create
feeders for secondary school bands.
5. A strong management system is necessary to organize band competitions.
6. Bands should be categorized into divisions to give opportunities to
inexperienced and young bands to compete. The categorization of divisions
should be based on the size of the band and the number and type of instruments
or sections available.
7. Judges need to have wide experience in their respective areas of judging and
should have been coaches or have had direct experience in performances and
activities related to the band.
8. Participation at the national level should be open to institutions of higher
education, uniformed bodies, or statutory bodies to raise the level of
performance and competition to be at par with that at the international level.
9. Media exposure is needed to attract attention and interest in bands and for
general support. In view of the effort, time and cost involved in preparing a
band for competition, it is discouraging to see only a handful of Malaysians
who are able to witness the events.
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
49
10. Prizes should consider the time, cost and effort put into preparing for
competition.
11. Bands that achieve international standing should be given the opportunity to
participate in international performances, competitions, festivals or workshops
for international exposure.
Questions Category Mean
Section A Judging System
Q1 Are you familiar with the DCE system? 4.6
Q2
m
ent at the preliminary rounds (zone) is based on 5
s
pects: music ±horn line (20 marks), music ±
s
ion line (20 marks), visual (20 marks), general
effect ±music (20 marks) and general effect ±visual (20 marks).
4.4
Q3 Performance assessment at the finals is based on 8 main aspects
which are field music(10 marks), field percussion (10 marks), field
visual (10 marks), ensemble visual (10 marks), ensemble music(10
marks), color guards (10 marks), general effect ±music (20 marks)
and general effect ±visual (20 marks).
4.6
Q4 One judge assesses each main aspect. 4.2
Q5
s
essment of each aspect is divided into two (2)
r
ies which are content and achievement.
4.8
Q6
s
essment given by each judge categorizes the
of a performance according to 5 boxes: Box 1 ±
1-10 marks), Box 2 ±Average (11-44 marks),
±
Good (45-74 marks), Box 4 ±Excellent (75-94
, Box 5 ±Superior (95-100 marks).
5.0
Q7 Field judges should be used in both the preliminary and the final
rounds of the competition .
4.2
Q8 Field judges should only be used in the finals. 2.0
Q9 The finals should use the services of both local and international
judges.
3.8
Q10 give comments and critique in real time using a
e
corder during the cour se of the compet ition.
5.0
Q11 Comments given by judges are focused on aspects of the
performance which are important to the judging process.
4.6
Q12 Comments given by the judges assist coaches in improving the
quality of the program and performance.
4.4
Q13
e
nts given by judges reflect an educational
c
h which shows appreciation for achievement
and encoura ges creative effort.
4.2
Q14 The judging system us ed is fair. 4.0
Q15 The judging system used is transparent. 4.0
Q16 The implementation of the DCE judging system is a mechanism for
improving the quality of bands in Malaysia.
4.4
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
50
Questions Category Mean
Section B Competition R ules
Q1 The preliminary rounds of the competition are divided into six
Zones: Southern Zone, Middle Zone, East Coast Zone, Northern
Zone 1, Northern Zone 2 and East Malaysian Zone.
3.6
Q2 The same panel of judges assesses the competition at every zone. 5.0
Q3
n
(10) best bands from the preliminary rounds will
t
e in the finals.
4.2
Q4
a
nd should cons ist of a minimu m of 40 members and
m
um of 120 members including color guards.
4.8
Q5 The competition arena is 60 yards (54 meters) by 40 yards (34
meters).
4.6
Q6 Participation of bands in the competition is only open to
government and government-aided schools.
2.6
Q7 The order of performance at the finals is based on the ranking of
scores obtain ed in the preli minary rounds from the lowest to the
highest.
3.4
Q8 Each performance should have a theme. 4.8
Q9 Each band is free to creatively design a performance based on a
chosen theme.
4.8
Q10
a
nd is given a maximum of 20 minutes on the field
i
ncludes Entry, Set-up, Show, Take Down and Exit.
4.6
Q11 The judged performance is not more than 12 minutes. 4.8
Q12 Each competing team can freely use the musical instruments
accordingtotheircreativity.
5.0
Q13 The use of electrical music instruments is not allowed. 4.0
Q14 Each performance that exceeds the maximum performance time
will be given a 0.1 point penalty for every 3 seconds lapse.
4.2
Q15 Boundary violati ons will receive a penalty of 0 .1 point for each
error made.
4.4
Q16 Other violation of rules will incur a penalty of 2.5 points for each
error.
3.6
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
51
Questions Category Mean
Section C Opinions to Suggestions for the Future Developments
Q1 The Malaysian National Band Competition (Natcomp) should
be divided into two (2) division, i.e., Division 1 and Division 2
according to the level of performance and achievement of the
respective bands.
5.0
Q2
o
n 1 is for bands that achieve a scor e of 60 and
i
n the Malaysian National Band Competition
m
p) 2010 and 2011.
4.0
Q3
o
n 2 is for bands that achieve a scor e of 59 and
i
n the Malaysian National Band Competition
m
p) 2010 and 2011.
4.2
Q4
t
hat have never competed in the Malaysian
a
l Band Competition (Natcomp) should be
r
ized in Division 2.
3.6
Q5 Bands that have never competed in the National Band
Competition (Natcomp) 2010 and 2011 can apply to compete in
the Divis ion 1 ca tegory for cons idera tion by the orga nizers.
4.0
Q6
t
ablishment of the Division 2 category will
encourage more bands to compete in the national
o
mpetition.
5.0
Q7 The cooperation between the Ministry of Education Malaysia,
the Malaysia Band Association and ZI Production should
continue.
4.4
Q8
e
r to improve the quality of bands in Malaysia, a
c
competition for the percussion section which can
e
dtheNational Drumline Competition should be
z
ed.
5.0
Q9 In order to improve the quality of bands in Malaysia, a specific
competition for color guards which can be called the National
Color Guards Competition should be organiz ed.
4.4
Q10
s
hould also be a specific competition for parade
w
hich perform marching band repertoire that can
e
dtheNational Parade Band Competition.
4.0
Q11
s
the national band competition (Natcomp),
t
ional band compeitions such as the Malaysia
Band Competition (MWBC) should also be
z
ed.
4.6
Q12 International band competitions should involve premier bands
such as the Blue Devils and Cavalliers.
3.0
Table 3.1 Mean Rating for Questionnaire Items
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
52
Interview
For the interview, the two respondents, Mr. Rashid bin Mean and Datuk Zulkifli
Ishak identified the following issues and challenges in developing marching bands
and organizing band competitions:
1. Lack of funding.
Organising national and international level band competitions and related
events (eg. Judges college) require large amounts of funding. However, getting
sponsorship for such activities is not easy. Previous sponsors of the band
competitions are withdrawing their funding while most companies are only
willing to donate in the form of in-kind sponsorship rather than in monetory
form.
2. Acceptance of local judges.
Despite having a group of certified local judges and the availability of certified
judges from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, most band directors and
managers are more confident with judges from Europe and the United States of
$PHULFD$VVXFKWKHUHLVDQHHGWRGHYHORSWKHEDQGGLUHFWRUV¶ DQG
PDQDJHUV¶FRQILGHQFHLQORFDOMXGJHV,QDGGLWLRQLQYLWLQJLQWHUQDWLRQDOMXGJHV
will incur higher cost, which will then increase the budget needed to organize
band competitions.
3. Setbacks of the DCE judging system.
The DCE philosophy and system, which encourages the freedom for creativity
and innovative ideas, has its setbacks. Bands with strong financial support will
have the advantage over bands with less support in terms of instruments, props,
uniforms, and training. As a result, bands with limited funding may shy away
from participating in competitions. With the contemporary Drum Corps show
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
53
concept, expensive costumes, hand props (flags, rifles, sabers etc), hiring the
music and design staff will require more funds to stage a performance.
Malaysia has very few good music arrangers, visual designers and instructors
for bands. The desire to win competitions has prompted elite bands to hire
foreign experts particularly from Indonesia and Thailand to design programs as
well as to train their band members. While this exercise of importing experts
may be considered a good strategy, it should be taken only as a short-term
solution. There needs to be a systematic plan to train the locals for this purpose
in the near future.
As the new judging system requires the same set of judges to adjudicate at all
the different zones during preliminary rounds, this will not only incur
additional cost but also create difficulty for judges who hold full time positions
at their respective places of employment.
4. Support from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, school authorities and
parents.
Many band managers and instructors lament on the issue of not getting enough
support from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, school administrators,
teachers, and parents in order to successfully maintain and sustain their bands.
Malaysians in general are very much an exam-orientated society whereby
studying and achieving good examination results are more important than co-
curriculum activities. Music activities are often perceived as unimportant as it
GHYLDWHV VWXGHQWV¶ IRFXV RQ H[DPLQDWLRQV $V VXFK PRUe understanding and
support for band activities is greatly needed. Financial support is also important
for the purchase and maintenance of instruments.
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
54
Discussion
It can be seen that the music directors and managers who responded to the
questionnaire generally agree with the implementation of the DCE judging system
as a means of developing marching bands. Research has indicated that instrumental
skills and musical achievement can be positively influenced in a competitive
setting (Rickels, 2009; Temple, 1973). Assessment, even in competition, is a
SURFHVVWKDWPHDVXUHVVWXGHQWV¶JURZWK0(1&+RZHYHULWLVHYLGHQWWKDW
more needs to be done to develop not only bands in Malaysia, but also the
knowledge and expertise of band directors, band manage rs and judges. In view of
the responses obtained from the subjects, the following strategies are suggested for
the continuous development of Malaysian high school marching bands.
1. Conduct judges college
Judges colleges need to be continually organized to train more local judges and
to introduce the new judging philosophy and system to band directors and
managers. More judges are needed particularly if the division system of
separating bands according to levels is introduced in band competitions. The
current set of certified local judges should also receive further training at an
advanced level. As most former band members are more interested to
adjudicate the music captions, training for visual judges is also needed.
Technical officers of co-curricular activities from the Ministry of Education,
Malaysia should be included in the judges college.
2. Review the judging system as necessary.
As the current DCE judging system may not be wholly applicable to the
Malaysian marching band competitions, the assessment system and rules of the
competition could be reviewed and adapted to the Malaysian band scene as
necessary.
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
55
3. Collaboration with the co-curricular division of the Ministry of Education,
Malaysia.
The Malaysia Band Association and the organizing committee of the marching
band competitions have to continue working closely with the relevant co-
curricular division of the ministry. The association also needs to continue
highlighting the issues and challenges faced by schools in trying to have a
marching band as a co-curricular activity.
4. Continue to seek sponsorship.
As sponsorship is an inevitable part of organizing competitions, seeking
sponsorship from government agencies and the public sectors have to be
pursued and strategies to market the competitions need to be reviewed. Schools
also have to do their respective fundraising to support their band programs.
5. Create educational opportunities for band members and band directors and
manage rs.
In order to develop high school marching bands, band camps, workshops,
clinics and seminars need to be organized for students to gain more knowledge
and experience in their respective instruments and marching. These camps
and/or workshops will be equally necessary for band directors and managers to
add to their body of knowledge. The workshops should also introduce bands to
contemporary band techniques.
In addition, it is also suggested that discussion sessions be held with band
directors, band managers, judges, officials of the Ministry of Education and
organizers to discuss pertinent issues related to the development of marching
bands, including competitions and the judging system.
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
56
Such workshops could also be an opportunity for networking among bands.
This would encourage cooperation among bands as some band directors would
like the opportunity to work and learn from better bands.
6. Organize more competitions.
In view of the argument that competitions can help develop bands, it is
suggested that more competitions including new competitions that consider the
different sections of a band be held. These could include competitions for the
color guard, drum line and pipe band sections. In addition, bands should be
encouraged and assisted to participate in international competitions.
7. Increase the number and types of personnel needed for a marching band.
In order to increase the number of band directors/instructors, drill designers,
music arrangers in the future, band members should be encouraged to pursue
studies in music at institutes of higher learning with strong band programs.
8. Encourage and assist in the establishment of community bands/drum lines
groups/ pipe bands.
9. Promotion of band activities
As with any activity, it is suggested that band activities be promoted in the
press and television programs for maximum exposure to the general public.
Parades and concerts could also be held if finances permit.
Conclusion
In order to develop Malaysian high school marching bands via competition, the
issues and challenges discussed above needs to be addressed and changes made as
necessary. More needs to be done to develop not only bands in Malaysia, but also
the knowledge and expertise of band members, band directors, band managers and
judges. It is also imperative that the various bodies such as the Malaysia Band
Association, the Ministry of Education, Malaysia and the organizing bodies of
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
57
band competitions work hand in hand towards the same goal of developing
marching bands. While it may take time to examine the long-term benefits of
implementing the DCE judging system, if the philosophy behind the system is
understood, bands should look at the outcome of competitions as a mechanism to
strive for greater achievement not only in terms of musical skills and knowledge,
but also in terms of self-discipline, responsibility, pride, and character building
(Banister, 1992; Rogers, 1985).
Developing Malaysian High School Marching Bands
58
References
Adams, R. (1992). A study of the relationship among instrumental musical achievement,
marching achievement, and overall show articulation in the high school marching band.
8QSXEOLVKHGPDVWHUµVWKHVLV*ODVVERUR6WDWH&ROOHJH
Austin, J. R. (1990). Competition: Is music education the loser? Music Educators Journal, 76(6),
21-25.
Banister, S. (1992). Attitudes of high school band directors toward the value of marching and
concert band contests and selected aspects of the overall band program. Missouri Journal
of Research in Music Education, 29, 49-57.
Bijl, W. (2010). Drum corps is growing in Malaysia. Drum Corps Europe Online. Retrieved
April 15, 2011, from http://drumcorpseurope.org/news/publish/english/Drumcorps_is_gr
owing_ in_Malaysia.sht ml
Drum Corps Europe (2011). Drum corps 2011 competition manual version 9.0. Souburg: Drum
Corps Europe.
Frenz, T. (1988). A comparison of the factors influencing marching band competitions.
(8QSXEOLVKHG PDVWHUµVW KHVLV$VKODQG&ROOHJH
Guegold, W. K. (1989). An analysis of the adjudication results of the 1986-1988 Ohio Music
Education Association State Marching Band finals with an emphasis on adjudicator
consistency. (Unpu blished doctoral dissertation). Kent State University.
MENC. (2001). Spotlight on assessment in music education. The National Association for Music
Education. Reston: VA.
Oakley, D. L. (1972). An investigation of criteria used in the evaluation of marching bands.
Journal of Band Research, 9(1), 32-37.
Rickels, D. A. (2009). A multivariate analysis of nonperformance variables as predictors of
marching band contest results. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Arizona State
University.
Rogers, G. L. (1985). Attitudes of high school band directors and principals toward marching
band contests. Journal of Research in Music Education,33(n4), 259-267.
Shah, S. M, & Saidon, Z. L. (2011, July 4-6). Marching forward: An exploratory study of the
effectiveness of a new judging system for Malaysian marching band competitions.
Symposium conducted at the meeting of the 8th Asia-Pacific Symposium for Music
Education Research, Taipei, Taiwan.
Smith, J. W. (1999). Correlation of discrete and continuous contest ratings with marching band
director rehearsal behaviors (Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas). Dissertation
Abstracts International, 60(09A), 3303.
Shahanum Mohamad Shah and Zaharul Lailiddin Saidon
59
Sullivan, T. M. (2003). Factors influencing participation of Arizona high school marching bands
in regional and state festivals (Doctoral dissertation, Northern Arizona University).
Dissertation Abstracts International, 64(02A), 388.
Temple, C. (1973). A study of the effectiveness of competition festivals in the music education
process. Contributions to Music Education, 2, 4-16.
Thomas, B. (2010). First Asian judges certified by DCE. Drum Corps Europe.RetrievedApril
15, 2011, from http://drumcorpseurope.org/news/publish/english/Drum_corps_is_growin
wing_in_Malaysia.shtml
Yahl, R. M. (2009). Attitudes of high school band directors and students regarding Ohio Music
Edu cation Associat ion Larg e Gr oup Adjudicated Eve nts. OhioLINK ETDs.Retrieved
April 15, 2011, from http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Yahl%20Ryan%20Michael.pdf?
bgsu1236051000
Interviews
Rashid bin Mean (personal communication, October 31, 2011)
Zulkifli Ishak (personal communication, March 18, 2011).
Chapter 4
****** ******
Empowering Student Experience through
Social Media
Sergio Camacho
1-12
Abstract
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have reconfigured the lifestyle of a new
JHQHUDWLRQRIVW XGHQW VZKR DUHQR VWUDQJHUVWRW KHDOZD\V³21´ FRQQHFWHGZRUOG Although these
platforms are largely perceived by them as channels to stay in touch with friends, they represent
a growing opportunity for educators to provide an extended environment of blended learning that
maximises the student experience. This study analyses the possibilities of Social Media as an
educational tool, on a blended learning strategy, contextualizing the development of these
plat fo rms, their p edago gic al implicatio ns, their implant at ion wit hin the st udent commu nit y, and
Sergio Camacho
61
their growing importance in their access to information and sources of knowledge, and thus
becoming a determining factor in the shaping of the new generations.
This research shows how educational institutions are currently implementing the
application of Social Media possibilities as an educational resource. In the current social
scenario, Higher Education centres are not any longer the only, not even the main, source of
information and learning for the new generation of students. They are accustomed to navigate
and negotiate information independently through a multi-platform interconnected setting.
Integrating such platforms to their educational experience will empower educators with a
valuable tool for promoting a student centred environment in class. Facebook and Twitter,
among others, have proved to be highly effective for sharing and updating teaching materials,
developing collaborative works and academic research, opening new channels for feedback,
counseling, and group and peer-evaluation, among many other possibilities. The aim of this
study is to analyse their impact in the student community, and how the new Social Media trends
condition their access to knowledge. Notwithstanding, the transfer of social media models to
formal education is encountering a set of resistances among institutions, practitioners and
learners that would require addressing before implementing a Social Media teaching and learning
strategy. Developing strategies that maximise the possibilities of Social Media to enhance
student experience would make a relevant impact in student learning, empowering them with the
exposure to the necessary skills in a growingly connected world.
Introduction
The Dawn of Web 2.0. Informal Learning
In the second part of the first decade of the 21st century, the development of a
series of interactive social media platforms1rearranged the way users related to the
Internet,2from a read onO\VHWWLQJWRD µUHDGZULWH¶RQH6DODYXR 7KLVQHZ
µSDUWLFLSDWRU\ZHE¶3allows a collaborative, active and interactive approach to the
contents, favouring the interlinking of people (Bonzo and Parchoma, 2010:913),
social intercommunication and peer-construction of knowledge (Simoes and
Borges Gouveia, 2008). This new interactive experience was defined as the
emergence of a new Internet, the so-called Web 2.0.4
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
62
These new platforms have altered the way users access information,
providing collaborative environments where information is shared and knowledge
constructed. This reconfiguration has strong implications in Education, as it blurs
the boundaries between formal and informal learning (Bonzo and Parchoma,
2010:917), favouring environments where the learning process is not tied down to
the class setting any longer. Consequently, Higher Education institutions are now
to face the challenge of both channelling informal learning and adapting formal
learning to the new educational context.
The resistance of these institutions to the new models and the increasing role
RI RQOLQH UHVRXUFHV LQ VWXGHQWV¶ OLIH OHDG WR ZKDW &ODUN HW DO GHILQH DV
µGLJLWDOGLVVRQDQFH¶DJURZLQJJDSEHWZHHQWKHOHVVUHOHYDQWIRUPDOGHOLYHU\ IURP
Academia and the increasingly present access to information through informal
settings, such as social media (Trinder et al., 2008).5In this new context, students
are accustomed to navigate and negotiate information independently through a
multi-platform interconnected setting and \HW DUH µH[SHFWHG WR VXEPLW WR D
pedagogic regime that is fundamentally premised on the transmission and testing
RIGHFRQWH[WXDOLVHGNQRZOHGJHDQGVNLOOVDQGZKLFKLVGRPLQDWHG E\ ³ROG-
JHQHUDWLRQ´ WHFKQRORJLHV :HE XQGHUSLQQHG E\ D UDGLFDOO\ GLIIHUHnt
SKLORVRSK\DQGDGLIIHUHQWVHWRIDIIRUGDQFHV¶ transferred in a unidirectional top-
down setting (Trinder et al., 2008:4).
Towards a Facebook Generation
$UJXDEO\ VXFK µGLJLWDO GLVVRQDQFH¶ LV EHLQJ VWUHVVHG E\ WKH JURZLQJ
intergenerational gap between educators and learners, induced by their differential
approach to information technologies. The current students accessing Higher
Education grew up as digital-natives, as opposed to their digital-immigrants
instructors, who had to learn how to use and relate to such technologies.6In this
Sergio Camacho
63
ever-changing information society, they have been subsequently called the
Nintendo Generation, for their approach to entertainment, the Generation Y or the
Millennials, for their disengagement with past dogmas, the Net Generation, for
their reliance on the World Wide Wed for life practices, and the Google
Generation, for their straight approach to information. The members of this new
generation tend to show a distinct set of common characteristics that include solid
multitasking capabilities, together with expectations of rapid interaction with
information channels (thus low tolerance for delays), easiness in interactive
settings, and an effective inclination towards knowledge construction (Simoes and
Borges Gouveia, 2008).
These unique features are yet to be acknowledged by Academia, in order to
align the academic programs with the requirements of the current professional
setting, which growingly demands graduates empowered with a set of skills in
accordance to the needs of this networked society.7Unlike knowledge, which can
be taught, skills have to be acquired and developed, leading to the manifest
necessity of a reconfiguration of traditional teaching models and practices.
Arguably, social media platforms could be perceived as valuable tools to develop
these new skills.
Social Media in Education
Social Constructivism. The role of Social Media
According to Salavuo (2008), social media platforms are particularly suitable for
education for their learner-centred nature (they offer a bottom-up approach,
students are already familiar to such interfaces, and can exercise control over the
customisation the environment, maintaining its ownership) and for their suitability
for collaborative work (allowing personal profiles and multimedia environments,
and instilling a sense of community/communities of practice).
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
64
Clark et al suggest that learners will favour a growing inclusion of Social
Media in the formal context to support their learning (Clark et al., 2009).
According to Salavuo (2008), research supports the view that blended learning
approaches are more effective than straight face-to-face environments. However,
Higher Education institutions have frequently approached online settings and
Learning Management Systems as a supplement to traditional teaching practices,
instead as valuable pedagogical aids.
7KHUROHRI6RFLDO0HGLDLQVWXGHQW¶VOLIHDQGLWVSRWHQWLDODVDQHGXFDWLRQDO
aid for the current generation practices should not be underestimated. According to
US National School Board Association, NSBA (2007), American college students
currently engage in Social Media platforms as much time as they spend watching
TV. They use them both as a connection channel, to keep in touch with people they
have already met in person, and as a social tool itself, profiling their identity and
creating communities within the global platform. The educational opportunities of
this setting are apparent. According to the NSBA (2007), close to a 60% of the
college students interviewed already engage in educational discussions through
Social Media, and more than a half discuss schoolwork. Close to a 12% upload
music and podcasts created by them, and a 22% have posted their own videos
online.
The use of Social Media platforms in an educational context is consistent
with the traditional premises of Social Constructivism8(Bonzo and Parchoma,
2010:912), and newer theories like Collective Intelligence, Authentic and Situated
Learning, and Connectivism.9According to Social Constructivism, learning best
takes place within a socio-cultural context; the learning process requires an active
participation by the learner, being previous experience capital when reinforcing
new learning, and a social interaction and the negotiation within such learning
environment are essential for individual knowledge construction (Bonzo and
Sergio Camacho
65
Parchoma, 2010:912). All this characteristics easily align with the educational use
of online social environments, where knowledge is acquired through direct social
interaction.
Current research points out that social media platforms may equally promote
both collaboration and active learning (Maloney, 2007), EDVHG DURXQG µLQWHUHVWV
and affinities not catered for in their immediate edXFDWLRQDOHQYLURQPHQW¶Selwyn,
2009). In a collaborative learning environment, knowledge is not just acquired by
the interaction of learners; it precisely consists in the interaction of those learners
(Sthal, G. et al., 2006). In Teräs and Myllyla (2011:1 ZRUGV µ6RFLDO 0HGLD
applications combined with authentic, inquiry-based learning seem to provide an
effective and motivating environment for pre-service an in-service professional
JURZWK¶
The related concept of communities of practice was addressed by researcher
Etienne Wenger, and is key for this study, as it reinforces the position of Social
Media platforms as valuable educational tools. For him, these communities are
µJURXSV RI SHRSOH ZKR VKDUH D FRQFHUQ D VHW RIS UREOHPVRU D SDV VLRQ DERXW D
topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on
an ongoing basis¶(Wenger et al., 2002:4). This way, they are not passive elements,
but participants in a social structure (Simoes and Borges Gouveia, 2008). Social
Media favours the establishment of such communities of practice, articulating the
participation in them through their interactive setting.
Social Media can help to expand and transfer learning beyond traditional
environments. Otherwise, if informal and extended learning possibilities are
ignored, there is a growing risk of traditional learning environments becoming
irrelevant for students (Attwell, 2006).
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
66
Even though the Social Media applications appear to be consistent with the
prevalent pedagogical theories, and favoured by students, their use potentially
unveils a set of resistances from the different educational stakeholders, which
should be addressed before attempting a comprehensive Social Media implantation
in Academia.
Resistance to Social Media in Higher Education
Allegedly, Higher Education has fallen behind in the implantation of Social Media
platforms into their educational procedures, due to structural resistances. The
potential sources of the conflict include the hierarchical structure of HE
institutions, the difficulties in articulating accreditation and quality assurance in a
social media setting, and the increasingly difficult conjugation of formal and
informal learning (Bonzo and Parchoma, 2010:912).
Academic Institutions heavily depend on power structures and hierarchical
relationships, basing the teaching practice on expert knowledge (see Ibid :914).
This closed top-down structure clashes with the open and reciprocal horizontality
of social media, where knowledge is not possessed, but created through sharing,
and the motivation to be part of them is not imposed, but rather stimulated
internally (Salavuo, 2008).
Accreditation, assessment and quality assurance propose another line of
resistance to the implantation of social media models in HE. Begg et al. (2007)
precisely pose the debate of social media in HE, not on how to use them, but how
to assess them (Begg et al., 2007). Traditional examinations have customarily
focused on the end-result, not the process (Salavuo, 2008). According to Lombardi
(2007), Higher Education assessment tends to ignore researchers and pedagogues
advice, focusing on evaluating easy-to-measure cognitive skills, such as
remembering, understanding and applying, instead of complex skills such as
analysing, evaluating and creating. For the sake of fairness, collaborative efforts
Sergio Camacho
67
are often disregarded, where not forbidden (Simoes and Borges Gouveia, 2008);
group assessment is avoided to favour individuality.10 Social Media collective
construction of knowledge directly confronts most of Higher Education assessment
procedures.
Quality assurance and accreditation are inherent to formal education; the
former implies control and measurement, the latter requires consistency and
standardisation. All these concepts clash with the collaborative, collective, fluid,
heterogeneous, open, flexible and dynamic nature of social media platforms.
Therefore, the biggest challenge for a Social Media approach to HE is formalising
their learning approach, without uprooting them from their collaborative nature.
Something that may be counterproductive, as it may weaken the model itself. In
%RQ]RDQG3DUFKRPD¶VZRUGVµ+LJKHU(GXFDWLRQLQVWLWXWLRQVZDQWWR KDUQHVVWRROV
that do not work when harnessed. By imposing a defined structure and regulations
on social media, higher education institutions may counter the notion and value of
VRFLDOPHGLD¶Bonzo and Parchoma 2010:917).
Copyright management also plays an important role in institutional
resistance to Social Media. Higher Education institutions own their programmes
and curricula, which becomes tangible assets and potential sources of revenue,
through licensing and external validation of other institutions. On the other side,
the ownership of online environments is participatory and is moved towards the
users (Salavuo, 2008). Platforms, such as Facebook, include in their terms and
conditions clauses that establish non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable,
royalty-free, worldwide licensed use of any content published in their sites.11 The
difficulty to maintain a control over the ownership and copyright of the courses
and materials once they are shared via Social Media platforms poses a threat to the
established practices.
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
68
Furthermore, resistance to Social Media platforms can be encountered
beyond the academic establishment. Arguably, there is a growing divergence
between what students perceive as good practice and what they demand as a proper
or serious educational one; even though they acknowledge Social Media platforms
as valuable self-learning aids, they also show reluctance to the acceptance of Social
Media as a valid setting for serious learning. According to Kvakik (2005), even
though students favour the moderate use of technology in class, one-to-one
personal interaction is considered one of the most valued situations in education.
Paradoxically, perpetuating the teacher-centric model of learning as a top-
down transfer of knowledge, students appear to prefer a knowledgeable teacher to
a skilled one.12 There is an apparent tendency towards demanding value for money;
DOHFWXUHULVWREHVHHQDVDQH[SHUW LQ KLV ILHOG µEHDUHU¶ RIWKHNQRZOHGJHZKR
SDVVHVVRPH RI WKDW NQRZOHGJH GRZQ WR WKH VWXGHQWV µUHFHLYHUV¶ $Q DSSURDFK
where students are coached to their own learning, (lecturer as tKH µJXLGH¶ WR
knowledge) is confronted by the educational stakeholders (why should I pay if I
did it on my own). Salavuo (2008) argued in this line that many students still
expect a traditional top-down delivery, in order to receive accreditation and join
the job market. This tendency may be more apparent in music education, where the
master is traditionally respected (Salavuo, 2008).
&RQFXUUHQWO\WKHUHDUHDOVRUHVLVWDQFHVIURPWKHSUDFWLWLRQHU¶VSRLQWRIYLHZ
that need to be pondered. Technology immigrant teachers appear to be reluctant to
adopt in class a media that consistently challenges their areas of confidence.
$FFRUGLQJ WR 7RUS DQG 1HYDODLQHQ WKH FRQFHSW RI µJRRG WHDFKLQJ DQG
OHDUQLQJ¶E\\RXQJSUDFWLWLRQHUVLVVWURQJO\LQIOXHQFHGE\WKHLUprevious experience
as learners (Teräs and Mylly l ä, 2011), often reproducing the way they were taught
(Simoes and Borges Gouveia, 2008). Potential inaccuracy, vandalism and
Sergio Camacho
69
plagiarism issues (see Urbina, 2004) are argued by lecturers and students alike to
disregard the use of collaborative information in class.
Conclusion
As this study argues, the use of Social Media platforms as an educational tool
proposes a great opportunity, within a blended learning approach. However, the
implementation of Social Media practices in class needs attention. Learning
Management Systems and e-learning platforms have frequently been charged for
being the direct transfer of the physical classroom to a virtual setting through
technology,13 where not a straight copy of the traditional course materials and
model to the internet (Weigel, 2006:55). As Herrington et al. (2010) highlight,
teachers and institutions favour the replication of teacher-centred practices in the
new media, including lectures, articles, class notes or even text books, and the use
of traditional assessment methods, such as tests, exams or essays. The potential as
a learning aid through role-play14 and virtual modelling of real-life practices is yet
to be maximised.15
There are lines of controversy that questions the real impact of Social Media
platforms, such as Facebook, in an academic environment.16 There is a recurrent
criticism on the use of Social Media in education without solid pedagogica l
foundation (Selwyn, 2009). It has been equally argued that the use of social media
may discourage students from acquiring traditional skills, and that the new
configuration of privacy, such as the anonymity of posting and the publicity of
wall use, could misbalance the teacher-student relationship (Brabazon, 2007). A
study by Karpinsky and Duberstein goes further, pointing out that students who
spent more hours on Facebook spent less hours studying, and had, overall, worse
results.17 Nonetheless, all these controversies are being outweighed by a growing
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
70
corpus of research that defends the general positive impact of Social Media
platform in the educational practices, in a blended learning strategy.
The use of Social Media platforms in education poses the student in the
centre of the pedagogical act, as the owner of knowledge construction and
acquisition. This represents both an opportunity, for efficiently transferring to the
class environment a Social Constructivist approach to knowledge, and a challenge,
as this approaches confronts the established structures of Higher Education.
The projections on Social Media in the close future expect a further
implantation in the student community, in wider circles, including other
stakeholders such as families and prospective employers. Extension of blended
learning into the Social Media platform provides a media rich, vibrant and
FXOWXUDOO\DFFHSWHGFKDQQHOWRZKLFKWRGD\¶VVWXGHQWVDUHQRVWUDQJHUV'HYHORSLQJ
strategies that maximise the possibilities of Social Media to enhance student
experience would make a relevant impact in student learning, empowering them
with the exposure to the necessary skills in a growingly connected world.
Notes
1 Researcher Wendy Tapia (2010:8- GHILQHV 6RFLDO 0HGLD DV ³ZHE
application tools that allow users to publish and broadcast content in order to open
DQGLQYLWHSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQFRQYHUVDWLRQV´)RUDQH[WHQGHGGLVFXVVLRQRQWKH LVVXH
VHHWKHVHFWLRQ³'HILQLQJ6RFLDO0HGLD´
27KLVµVRFLDOUHYROXWLRQ¶DVGHILQHGE\2QOLQH(GXFDWLRQUHVHDUFKHU6WHSKHQ
Downes, included Wikipedia, YouTube and MySpace. The latter was soon to be
displaced by the eruption of Facebook and Twitter. Others include Yahoo Answers
Sergio Camacho
71
and Google+. (See Downes, 2011:179). For more information on his research, see
www.downes.ca.
3 As defined by Bart Decrem, founder of the social-network browsing
platform (see Bonzo and Parchoma 2010:913).
4 The term was popularised by Open Source software acWLYLVW 7LP 2¶5HDOO\
who organised the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004, defining its key
IHDWXUH DV DQ µ$UFKLWHFWXUH RI 3DUWLFLSDWLRQ¶ WKH VHUYLFH LPSURYHV WKURXJK WKH
QRUPDOXVHRIWKHDSSOLFDWLRQE\WKHXVHUVHH2¶5HDOO\
5 Clark et al. (2009) consider the social media platforms as a determining
factor in this blurring.
6 The difference between both is clearly articulated in Prensky (2002).
7$FFRUGLQJ WR 7ULOOLQJ DQG )DGHO WKHVH VNLOOV LQFOXGH µ /HDUQLQJ DQG
innovation skills (critical thinking, problem solving, communications,
collaboration, creativity and innovation) 2. Digital Literacy Skills (information,
media and ICT literacy) 3. Career and Life Skills (flexibility, adaptability,
initiative, self-direction, social and cross-cultural interaction, productivity,
DFFRXQWDELOLW\OHDGHUVKLSDQGUHVSRQVLELOLW\¶VHH%7ULOOLQJDQG&)DGHO
8 For the application of social constructivism to a e-learning environment, (see
Bonzo and Parchoma 2010: 912; Zualkernan, 2006).
9 Connectivism differ of the almost homonymic classic Connectionism, being
the former an analysis on how knowledge is disseminated and distributed through
networks of people, and the latter an approach to distributed cognition at the
individual level. (See Simoes and Borges Gouveia, 2008).
10 7KLV ZD\ LQVWHDG RI OHDUQLQJ KRZ WR QHJRWLDWH VNLOOV DQG NQRZOHGJH µ WKH
RXWFRPHLVKRZ WR EHQHDW ILQLVKRQWLPHDQGIROORZLQVWUXFWLR QV¶VHH+HUULQJWRQ
et al., 2010).
11 Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.
Empowering Student Experience through Social Media
72
12 As illustrated by the Social Media and Web 2.0 survey, conducted in the
International College of Music, Malaysia, 2011.
13 See Bates, 2008. According to Jonassen (1996), positive results shall not be
achieved just by simply adding technology to previously existing activities and
classroom teaching practices (see Simoes and Borges Gouveia, 2008).
14 Virtual roles often mimic real life ones. However, as Kapp (2010) notes,
often the skills acquired in the virtual role are directly maintained in a real-life
negotiation.
15 One of these underperforming platforms, Second Life, has been frequently
used as a marketing tool for prospective students, or as a replica of classroom
teaching, for e-learning. According to Teräs and
Mylly l ä (2011), even though Second Life is not a Learning Management system
per se, it has been often treated as such, replicating physical learning environments
and student attendance to a virtual classroom.
16 In a study analysing the approach to Facebook of 909 UK undergraduates,
Selwyn (2009) categorised their wall activity in five main themes 1. Accounts on
university experience 2. Exchange of general information 3. Exchange of academic
information 4. Display of concerns 5. Relief (Exchanges of jokes / nonsense) [in
Pollara and Zhu 2011].
17 See Karpinski and Duberstein, 2009. Their research was heavily publicised
by the general media, and equally contested by academic researchers. Karpinski
tried to explain further her conclusions, and make amends with the academic
community, in the article Karpinski, A. (2009). A response to reconciling a media
sensation with data. First Monday. 14/5. Retrieved January 20, 2011 from
http://firstmonday.org.
Sergio Camacho
73
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Chapter 5
****** ******
Issues in the Music and Choreography of Rhythmic
Gymnastics
Loo Fung Chiat
Loo Fung Ying
1-12
Abstract
The study of music in sport has been categorized into two types: synchronous and asynchronous.
Music is an important element providing an accompaniment to certain choreographed sports such
as rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming, while it is also proven to produce an
ergogenic effect in the athlete. This article examines the role of music by analysing more
specifically musical elements and their usage in rhythmic gymnastics. Problems of music
comprehension will be identified and discussed.
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
77
Introduction
In general, music can be regarded as an audio embellishment which enhances the
ambience of an event, or which can be used to produce an ergogenic effect to
enhance the performance of athletes (Karageorghis, 2010). Another serious
function of music is to accompany sports routines which comprise choreographic
elements, such as rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming, figure skating,
martial arts and so forth. For this category of sports, music is indispensable in any
form of competition event and has a great influence on an individual routine.
Rhythmic gymnastics is an artistic sport; WKHJ\PQDVW¶VERGLO\H[SUHVVLRQLQ
communicating a theme, idea or story from the music is important (Palmer, 2003).
It has a seventy-two year history and was created from the idea of merging music
and dance in expressive performance. The idea of rhythmic gymnastics was first
recognized and considered as a sport in the Soviet Union during the 1940s and its
invention can be traced back to the idea of three prominent dancers and musicians:
Jean-Georges Noverre (1722-1810), Francois Delsarte (1811-1871) and Rudolf
Bode (1881), who believed in the function of dance as a medium in expressing
oneself (Surhone, Timpledon & Marseken, 2010). This concept was further
expDQGHG E\ 3HWHU +HQU\ /LQJ¶V µDHVWKHWLF J\PQDVWLFV¶ DQG &DWKHULQH %HHFKHU¶V
µJUDFH-ZLWKRXWGDQFLQJ¶7KHLGHDRIGDQFLQJ DORQJside music is closely linked to
'DOFUR]H¶V (urhythmics (or the Dalcroze method), developed by Emil Jacques-
Dalcroze in the 1880s. In his study of music pedagogy the Swiss composer and
music educator believed that rhythm, physical motion and bodily processes were
three foundational base of musical expressivity (Seitz, 2010).
Rhythmic gymnastics was officially recognized in 1961 by the International
Gymnastic Federation (FIG); the rhythmic sportive gymnastics (RSG) world
championship began in 1963. In 1984, the Olympic Games included RSG as one of
its events (Jastrjembskaia & Titov, 1999). Since the function of music is significant
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
78
in rhythmic gymnastics, the code of points (2009-2012) used in competition
reveals that music accompaniment and choreograph\DUHHYDOXDWHGXQGHUµDUWLVWU\¶,
the two other categories being µGLIILFXOW\¶DQGµH[HFXWLRQ¶
The techniques and agility of a gymnast are visually the contributing
winning factors; however, the correlation between music and choreography
completes the visual and auditory perspectives of the whole performance.
Spectators in a competition may or may not focus on this issue, but from a
musicological perspective we posit that the correlation between the music selected
and the choreography deserves attention in scholarship. In addition, the factors
affecting musical comprehension, musical effects and their uses should be
discussed.
Musical Effect and Rhythmic Gymnastics
An extensive amount of studies in music psychology shows empirical results that
music delivers both physical and psychological effects through studying various
musical components, such as tonality, tempo, rhythm and so forth. In past studies,
Hevner (1935) found that the tonality of music depicts a certain mood: music in a
PDMRUPRGHLVµKDSS\¶ZKLOHWKHUHYHUVHLVWUXHIRUPXVLFLQDPLQRUPRGH$ORQJ
the same lines, Schoen (1940) found that music affects mood change. In studies of
tempo, Riber (1956), Weidenfeller and Zinny (1962) and Zinny and Weidenfeller
(1963) reveal that fast music results in emotional excitement and activity, and the
reverse is true for slow music. From a physiological aspect, Giles (1991) uses the
term µHQWUDLQPHQW¶ in referring to a test result in which D SHUVRQ¶V KHDUWUDWHVORZV
down in order to match the tempo of background music, while Bernardi et al.
(2006) reveal that music with a fast tempo and simple rhythmic structure yields
positive results in increasing blood pressure, ventilation and heart rate.
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
79
In the past, researchers such as Karageorghis et al. (1999), Hayakawa et al.
(2000), Matesic and Comartie (2002) and Elliot and Orme (2005) have proven that
music delivers effects in stamina and emotion. Also, there is an increased interest
in studying music type and preference in sports activities (see Gfeller, 1988;
Tenenbaum et al. 2004; McGuinness, 2009). The function and contribution of
music in sports and its results in delivering ergogenic, psychological,
psychophysical, and psychophysiological effects have been studied by scholars
(Atkinson et al. 2004; Karageorghis et al. 2010; Szmedra & Bacharach, 1998).
Besides, in the studies of Krumhansl & Schenck (1997) and Mitchel and Gallaher
(2001), congruence between music and dance is evident where participants
correlate movement and sound.
On the other hand, there is also a growing interest that discusses the use of
music as a sonic background (see Fogelsanger and Adanador, 2006). The authors
stated emphasise John Cage and Merce Cunningham¶V WKHRULHV in American
modern dance in the 1950s. The idea came from the composer Henry Cowell, who
asserts that dance should not be a slave to music (Miller, 2002). However, the
authors also discussed the McGurk & McDonald Effect (1976), an important
WKHRU\ ZLWK WKH FRQFHSW RI µFDSWXUH¶ ,Q WKLV FRQFHSW WKH SHUFHSWLRQ RI YLVXDO
stimulus is affected by auditory stimulus.
A survey of past studies resulted in identification of two categories of
musical function: synchronous and asynchronous music. According to
Karageorghis et al. (2010:551), synchronous music has a character where
µrhythmic and temporal aspects of music are used as a type of metronome that
UHJXODWHV PRYHPHQW SDWWHUQV¶. On the other hand, Terry et al. (2011:51) explain
WKDW DV\QFKURQRXV PXVLF WDNHV WKH IRUP RI D µbackground simulation without
conscious synchronization between movement patterns and musical tempo¶.
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
80
Issues in R hythmic Gymnastics
In our study, we studied video clips of gold medal-winning performances by
rhythmic gymnasts from Olympic and Commonwealth Games and selected four to
highlight. In our analysis, we found that the use of music differs for these
individuals, their choreographers and trainers. Table 5.1 shows the differences
between the four gold-medallists, looking at congruence between music and
movement.
Synchronous or Asynchronous
According to our observation, a synchronous used of music is found in the
performances of the first and fourth of the gymnasts selected. From the perspective
of a musician, the identification of the beginning and end of a phrase of the chosen
music clearly matched the movement of the gymnasts. Furthermore, the character
of the music and the mood expressed by the gymnasts, for example, the slower,
gentle gesture of passing the ball from the left to the right hand matched the slow
pace of the melodic figure. The harmony and tonality of the music was also
UHIOHFWHG LQ WKH J\PQDVWV¶ IDFLDO H[SUHVVLRQV 7KHUHIRUH WKH FKRUHRJUDSKyand
presentation of both gymnasts conformed to the theory formed by Riber (1956),
Weidenfeller and Zinny (1962) and Zinny and Weidenfeller (1963), that the tempo
of music affects activity. On the other KDQG W KH J\PQDV WV¶ H[SU HVVLRQ following
the harmony RIWKHPXVLFUHIOHFWV+HYQHU¶VUHVXOW
It is clear that a background music approach is used in the choreography of
the second and third gymnasts. Instead of correlating dance movement to suit
PXVLFDO FKDUDFWHULVWLFV WKH J\PQDVWV¶ PRYHPHQWV VXFK as continuing fast-paced
movement during a calm musical passage or pausing during a continuous melodic
phrase, presented an asynchronous use of music. Although there is a sufficient
amount of writing about methods of matching choreographed movement to certain
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
81
musica l elements such as dynamics, rhythm, harmony and so forth (see Humphre y,
1987; Denis, 1925; and Little, 1975), the performances of the second and third
gymnasts show independent dance that, according to our perception, could be
performed to different music, unlike the first and fourth gymnasts, whose
choreographed movement was set to the chosen music.
Gymnast Year Apparatus Congruence between
character of music and
J\PQDVW¶VPRYHPHQW
Incongruence
between character of
PXVLF DQG J\PQDVW¶V
movement
No.1 1986 Ball Movement followed the
start and end of phrase
-
Arm movement
characterized the flow of
music
-
Movement and facial
expression matched the
changes of harmony in
music
-
Slow movements
complemented the slow
tempo of the selected
music
-
No.2 2000 Ball Facial expression
showed the mood of the
Jumps occurred during
a phrase of linear
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
82
music character
Slow movements
complemented the slow
tempo of the selected
music
Movement did not
match the beginning
and ending of musical
phrases
- Action paused during a
phrase
No.3 2004 Ball Delivered facial
expression to
communicate with the
music.
Jumps occurred during
a phrase of linear
character
- Movement did not
match the beginning
and ending of musical
phrases
- Action paused during a
phrase
No.4 2004 Clubs Movement started and
ended according to the
phrase.
-
The throwing and
catching of the clubs
complemented the
musical phrases.
-
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
83
Pauses in movement
pause congrue nt with
the music (for example,
pause happened during a
longer note duration)
-
Table 5.1 Analytical description of four selected performances
The use of music by the second and third gymnasts reflects later theories in
dance that were discussed by Fogelsanger and Adanador (2006). The function
reflects a postmodern approach where movement is no longer tied down to specific
characteristics and components of music. However, the trend of using music
asynchronously may not necessary be applied to gymnasts of recent years, as we
have also observed other videos of gymnasts in recent Olympic and
Commonwealth Games that reflects the synchronous use of music.
Therefore, the factors that affect musical function, whether used
synchronously and asynchronously in D J\PQDVW¶V FKRUHRJUDSK\ VKRXOG EH
discussed.
Interpretation and Factors Affecting the Use of Music in Gymnastics
,QRXUVWXG\ZHIRXQGWKDWWKDWWKHIXQFWLRQRIPXVLFLQDJ\PQDVW¶VFKRUHRJUDSK\
results in a few issues: interpretation and musical background of the
choreographer, gymnast, and viewers result in differing perceptions. Two levels of
musical function were identified: firstly, the initial function of music, that is, as an
DXGLR PHGLXP LQ D FKRUHRJUDSKHU DQG J\PQDVW¶V ZRUN VHFRQGO\ WKH UHV ulting
performance delivers differing interpretations of how music is used because of the
different levels of musical background of the performing gymnasts, jury, and
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
84
audience, who may include musicians, gymnasts or participants with no experience
in either music or gymnastics (see Figure 5.1).
At the first level, the musical function in preparation of rhythmic gymnastics
routine is determined by the choreographer and gymnast, resulting in an audio-
visual performance. Music is chosen by a gymnast or her coach, or both, in
preparation for choreography. The selected music may not be particularly made for
WKH J\PQDVW¶V FKRUHRJUDSK\ DQG LI WKLV LV WKH FDVH WKH RULJLQDO LQWHQWLRQ RI WKH
composer may or may not be neglected.
For example, the choreographer will either design move ments to match
certain musical components (such as rhythm, melodic phrase, harmony and so
forth) in a synchronous way, or in a free-mode that may not be a detail-to-detail
(movement to music) match in an asynchronous use. The choreograpKH U¶V LGHD LV
based on her own interpretation, which may or may not reveal a true understanding
RIWKHFRPSRVHU¶VLQWHQWLRQ:KHQWKHFKRUHRJUDSK\LVSDVVHGWRWKHJ\PQDVWWKH
gymnast has her own interpretation following what is instructed. Both the gymnast
and her choreographer may or may not be conscious of the way of music is used,
whether synchronously or asynchronously.
At the second level, musical function is determined by the viewers, who
include other gymnasts, the judging panels, and the audience, who may or may not
have a background in gymnastic or music, and who could also include musicians
or even the composer him or herself. These having different musical backgrounds,
constituted a complex body. This complex body ±audience ±forms different
interpretations of how music functions in a rhythmic gymnastics performance.
Furthermore, the perception of whether it is synchronous or asynchronous may
differ from one party to another. For example, movement thought to be
synchronous by a gymnasts and her choreographer may be asynchronous to
another choreographer, a musician, other gymnasts or viewers.
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
85
Figure 5.1 Two levels of musical function in rhythmic gymnastics
Composer Gymnast
Comp os it ion Choreography Interpretation
of music
Music Movement
Rhythmic
Gymnastic
Synchronous AsynchronousMixture
Viewer
Interpretation
of music and
moveme nt
GymnastMusicianComposer
Music-focus Movement -
focu s
I
II
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
86
In addition, choreography that is asynchronous to particular viewers, that conforms
to theories such as those of Cowell, may be synchronous to the choreographer.
Therefore, differing interpretations of musica l function by viewers of different
musical backgrounds may result in a few possible answers:
1) the music is used synchronously
2) the music is used asynchronously
3) the music is an embellishment to the gymnast (not important)
4) no attention is paid to the music at all, only WR WKH J\PQDVW¶V acrobatic
performance
The above discussion closely resonates with an important theory by
Karageorghis et al. (1999), in which the authors delineate two factors that become
the determining points if music functions as a stimulus: 1) the internal factor: the
DWKOHWH¶V musicality and rhythmic response to music; 2) the external factor: the
cultural background of the athlete that affects his or her interpretation of the music.
Therefore, in the second level of determining musical function, the theory of
Karageorghis et al. applies to all viewers. In addition, the external factor
highlighted by Karageorghis et al. resonates with the much-debated theory of
ZKHWKHU PXVLF LV µD XQLYHUVDO ODQJXDJH¶ RU D µculturally VSHFLILF DFWLYLW\¶ (Miller
and Shahriari, 2009:3). According to Miller and Shahriari (ibid.), music is not
affixed as are grammar and meaning in language, and therefore, the varied musical
experiences of particular individuals due to their environment result in different
interpretations of music and understanding. Therefore, the function of music in the
performance of rhythmic gymnastics is no longer static, but rather open-ended.
Conclusion
The function of music in rhythmic gymnastics underlies an open-ended
phenomenon in musical interpretation and usage. Although the original intention of
Loo Fung Chiat and Loo Fung Ying
87
rhythmic gymnastics came from merging expression between music and
movement, the development of aesthetics, interpretation and a postmodernist view
in both music and dance have contributed new interpretations and musical
functions. Music may be an accompaniment to a gymnast, but, its function is left to
be determined by the viewers. From a musical perspective, we conclude that music
background, musicality, and understanding of musical elements are still important
factors in contributing to a more coherent and congruent audio-visual performance.
Especially, further research should be carried out testing perception from the
perspectives of gymnasts, musician, and audience, with the objective of proving
that the function of music is an important medium to enhance a gymnast¶V
movements, rather than an asynchronous background accompaniment.
Music and Choreography of Rhythmic Gymnasitcs
88
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Also available
TRADITIONS, CHANGE AND APPLIED STUDY IN MUSIC: ESSAYS ON MUSIC
RESEARCH.
Edited by Loo Fung Ying, Mohd Nasir Hashim & Loo Fung Chiat.
112pp. of text. ISBN: 978-3-639-28190-3 (Aug. 2010).
Also available
MUSICAL THOUGHTS IN THE GLOBALISED CENTURY: UM BOOK SERIES ON
RESEARCH IN MUSICOLOGY VOL.1.
Edited by Loo Fung Ying, Mohd Nasir Hashim& Loo Fung Chiat.
100pp. of text. ISBN: 978-3-639-33146-2 (Feb. 2011).
Also available
CHANGING APPROACHES TO MUSICAL PRACTICE AND EDUCATION:
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA BOOK SERIES ON RESEARCH IN MUSICOLOGY 2.
Edited by Loo Fung Ying, Mohd Nasir Hashim & Loo Fung Chiat.
124pp. of text. ISBN: 978-3-639-33146-2. (Feb. 2011)
Also available
$1 $1$/<6,6 2) 6&+2(1%(5*¶6 $1' 0(66,$(1¶6 6(/(&7(' 62/2 3,$12
PIECES: UM BOOK SERIES ON RESEARCH IN MUSICOLOGY 3.
Edited by Loo Fung Ying & Loo Fung Chiat.
124pp. of text. ISBN: 978-3-639-33146-2. (Feb. 2011)
UM BOOK SERIES ON RESEARCH IN
MUSICOLOGY
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Kindly submit your manuscript (1 hardcopy and 1 softcopy) for a peer-review process to:
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