Banda Kawayan Pilipinas (Bamboo Band Philippines) is a unique ensemble of young, talented performers utilizing musical instruments fashioned out of bamboo and other indigenous materials.
Founded by Prof. Siegfredo Baldemor Calabig (affectionately referred to as Ka Fred) comes from a musically inclined family based in the town of Paete in Laguna province, noted for its skilled craftsmen and artisans. In fact, the town’s name, Paete, was named after “paet”, the Filipino word for a carpenter’s chisel. He was hired as a music teacher at the high school department of the then Philippine College of Commerce (now the Polytechnic University of the Philippines) and was requested by the high school principal, Mrs. Gloria R.Talastas, to start an orchestra.
His initial idea of setting up a drum and bugle corps proved to be too expensive so the principal suggested that he form a bamboo orchestra instead. At first, Ka Fred was reluctant to accept the job since he had no background whatsoever with making instruments, much less with bamboo. However, he was eventually convinced to give it a try, given his background in music and carpentry.
The group traces its roots from a school-based group established in 1973 by then Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) Laboratory High School principal Gloria R. Talastas and faculty member Prof. Siegfredo B. Calabig. The PCC was eventually renamed Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)
Banda Kawayan Pilipinas regularly performs in public and private functions and events all over the Philippines and overseas. It shares its wide array of repertoire with the general public, members of the diplomatic corps, tourists and balikbayans (overseas based Filipinos returning to their homeland). It also participates in various functions and events at the Malacañan Palace, as well as events organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the group’s other valued patrons and supporters.
INSTRUMENTS
Marimba – the marimba provides the melody. Made from bamboo and Philippine hardwood, it follows the musical scale and style of the typical xylophone and a marimba in an orchestra. Mallets made out of rattan and rubber are used to play the instrument. Similar to a piano, there’s a higher, middle and lower scale.
Angklung – is a traditional Asian instrument, variations of which can be found in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The angklung provides counterpoints to the melody. Each angklung represents a note and is played by shaking the lower part with one hand while holding the upper end steady.
Bumbong – hollow pieces of bamboo put together and serve as the orchestra’s wind section – divided into “bass”(lower) and “horn” (higher) sections. The smaller the bamboo, the higher the note. Each piece of bamboo represents one note and is blown through a mouthpiece to produce the sound.
Pan Pipe – are small pieces of bamboo put together by a string and is similar in sound and stylings of the wind instruments found in Northern Philippines and in South America. Each piece of bamboo represents a note and is blown to produce the sound. The fan pipes provide counterpoints to the basic melody.
Kiskis – is a bamboo piece with ridges and serves as a percussion instrument. “Kiskis” is a Filipino word for “to scratch” or “to rub against something”. It is played by “rubbing” a rattan stick on its ridges.
Kalatok – is a percussion instrument, with pieces of bamboo with varying tones strung together. The instrument’s name was derived from the first two syllables of the conductor’s surname “Kala” and the “tok” sound that it produces when struck by a rubber mallet.
Kalagong - is a wind instrument which also provides bass and sometimes the melody for select musical pieces. Bamboo poles each representing a note are held together by a wooden frame and are played when two paddles made of rubber slippers are struck on each of the hollow bamboo tubes. The name of the instrument comes from the first two syllables of the conductor’s name “kala” and the “gong” for the gong-like sound that it produces when struck by the paddle.
From left to right: Kiskis, a rubber mallet, Kalatok and Kalagong.
Banda kawayan performances
No comments:
Post a Comment