Singapore Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussionist/Principal Timpanist and Vic Firth Education Team member Jonathan Fox recently returned from judging one of the premier marching music festivals in Indonesia, the Darunnajah Marching Band Competition. It featured two complete days of ensembles in divisions ranging from kindergarten (yes, that’s right – kindergarten!) through high school. Additionally, there was a drum battle, a la the film “Drumline”.
“I must admit my skepticism right up to landing at Jakarta International Airport”, says Fox. “But when I was greeted by the organizers right there, I could see this was a professionally run event.” Jon Fox recalls numerous corporate sponsors, and a gymnasium packed with screaming fans. “The marching activity in Indonesia is held in indoor venues, a positive solution to the otherwise tropical (90 degree) weather of the equator. And the place was just buzzing with excitement from the first group to the last.”
“Overall, the level of performance was quite polished, featuring complete visual and musical packages, often contained in thematic shows. But what really blew me away was the kindergarten division! The groups consisted entirely of kindergarten-aged kids who entered the competition floor, competed, and exited, without any adult supervision. The programs were a full 10-12 minutes in length and were impressively executed. Most amazing to me was that the kids seemed to be having great fun the whole time!”
Also supplying a tremendous dose of inspiration were ensembles traveling from remote places. “Groups compete every year from war-ravaged Aceh, from tsunami-riddled Java, from Surabaya (near the Bali bombings in 2002). These ensembles prepare much of the year for one performance, and when they take the stage, the energy and the vibrance is so inspiring, so tangible, so impressive in every way.”
Jon Fox sums up the Indonesian marching scene as one burgeoning with great promise and enthusiasm. “The players, the staff members, the judges, the administrators, and the fans all keep a very close, watchful eye of what is going on in the West and do a great job trying to emulate what they see on DCI and other videos. And, countless instructors (percussion and beyond!) told me about how much they have learned from the Vic Firth website!”
Fox concluded by saying, “This is clearly the beginning of great things to come for the Indonesian marching scene, and, in fact, the Southeast Asian scene as well. Stay tuned for more updates from this part of the world.”
For more information on Indonesian marching, be sure to check out:
