Making classical music accessible

Harry Nazarudin , Contributor The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many of you are probably familiar with the Chamber Music Series. This yearly event is organized by Leonard van Hien, a prominent businessman with a passion for classical music. But did you know that the series focuses not only on chamber music performances but also on music education? On its website, www.chambermusic.or.id, the original aim of the Chamber Music Series is said to be "to provide classical music lovers in Indonesia with access to excellent music-making". It turns out that in saying this, the CMS has two things in mind: giving Jakartans the opportunity to see world-class performers; and giving music students the chance to work alongside professionals.

Anyone who has attended one of CMS' concerts before will have noticed that they attract a mixed crowd. The Chamber Music Series' mission is to give people who would not normally be able to afford concert tickets the chance to come along. But that doesn't mean that their quality is in anyway inferior. Among the players who have performed so far are Marcel Becker, a rare breed of musician who plays double bass and the Doric Quartet, one of the most successful young British quartets. There are also popular local musicians such as the three sopranos: Binu D. Sukaman, Aning Katamsi, and Rozana Unsulangi. The fact that they are willing to come and perform for the CMS is because all of them have the same mission: to explore and educate Indonesia's music society.

As a result of their noble mission, the majority of people who attended CMS' concerts are music students, enthusiasts, even children. Some of them come from faraway places like Serpong or Cikarang; most of them are young and some, talented. Maybe, just maybe, from this group of people will rise a great pianist or cellist of the future. Even the great Mozart came from humble beginnings.

The Chamber Music Series' master classes are generally carried out in cooperation with the Jakarta Conservatory of Music (JCOM), a music school led by Iswargia R. Sudarno. The master classes are almost always conducted free of charge. In the end, it doesn't matter how much knowledge is really transferred. For the students, the chance to practice in the same room as masters like John Myerscough (Doric Quartet) or Marcel Becker is the experience of a lifetime.

Some of the seed that has been sown has already started to sprout. Leaf through the program of JCOM's Christmas Concert "The 12 Days of Christmas" on Dec. 11, for example. Most of the students who performed that night mentioned the names of CMS performers such as Binu D. Sukaman and Rozana Unsulangi in their musical curriculum vitae. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and talent at the Christmas concert.

For this we have to thank the organizations that provide them with access to international music, such as the Chamber Music Series. Two important concerts are coming up in early 2008: the much-loved Doric Quartet (a.k.a. the classical version of a boy band) will perform at Erasmus Huis Jakarta on Feb. 11 and perform a special Valentine's Day concert on Feb. 14. On Jan. 28, an all-female string quartet led by Ruth Rogers will perform at Goethe House Jakarta. The CMS organizers will also hold master classes at JCOM for both performers -- so the good work is still going on.

For a complete schedule, go to www.chambermusic.or.id