Angklung Ensemble

Who are we?

The Angklung & Kulintang Ensemble is a musical group that plays the traditional Indonesian instruments, Angklung and Kulintang, which originated from West Java and Sulawesi respectively.

What is an Angklung?

An Angklung is a musical instrument which comprises two to four bamboo tubes loosely supported in a square bamboo frame. They slide to and fro freely when the instrument is shaken sideways, producing a broken ‘klung’ noise, thus the name, Angklung. Each Angklung produces a single note and in an ensemble, each member plays an important role in shaking their own Angklung.

Kulintang

The Indonesian Kulintang set is often used as accompaniment instrument to an Angklung Ensemble in Singapore.

The name "Kulintang" comes from Minahasa (North Sulawesi). The words mean: kuling (low tone), tang (high tone), and tang (the sound produced by knocking the planks). Traditionally, Kulintang was played in social gatherings.

The instrument is made from lightweight but resonant woods of the Wenang tree (Octomeles sumatrana), which produce clear and rich tones. It consists of wooden bars arranged in a row, similar to a xylophone, and is played using mallets with rubber-tipped heads.

Format of CCA

F-2-F training sessions

Angklung and Kulintang training sessions, with our instructor, Mr Dzulkifli, will be twice a week.

Venue: Angklung Room, next to Cafe, at Level 1

CCA Sessions:

Every Monday: 2:45 to 5:45 pm

Every Wednesday: 2:45pm to 5:45pm

Achievements

Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) at SOTA

2019, 2023 & 2025: Certificate of Distinction

2021: Certificate of Accomplishment

SYF 2025:

Angklung Ensemble represented the school at the 2025 SYF Arts Presentation at SOTA, performing to two songs: Reverie and Waves of Hope. Reverie, composed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights perseverance through adversity, while Waves of Hope, written in 2004, commemorates tsunami victims. Both pieces were composed and arranged by our dedicated instructor, Mr Dzul.

Preparing since October 2024, the journey was filled with challenges, with early practices barely meeting passing standards. Despite SYF falling on the first day of Term 2, the support of teachers, Mr Dzul, and EXCO leaders helped build persevere in students and helped the CCA achieve a Certificate of Distinction.