Institut Musik Daya, a rare music school

Institut Musik Daya, a rare music school

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It was the first day of the Sundanese gamelan class, and the
five students of the Institut Musik Daya (IMD) music school here
took positions in front of each traditional instrument in the
auditorium on the second floor.

Now, the major difference between music students and us,
regular, tone-deaf folks, is that it did not take long for the
former to get in tune with the new instruments.

With a brief explanation from teacher Atep Gunawan about the
instruments, how they work and the note scale, the students
played haltingly at first but smooth enough after a few
adjustments later.

Off to another class ... well, apparently, there is no other
class. That was the total number of students for the degree
program at the whole school.

The school's deputy academic and creative director, Sri Aksana
Sjuman, said it has been difficult to lure students since the
school opened in 2001.

"People, or parents in this case, still don't see music as
profession," said the noted drummer who is referred as Aksan.

"We want to shift the perception by producing quality
musicians who are recognized internationally and are responsible
and love what they're doing."

Founded by noted jazz musician Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah, or
Deviana, the school was a response to the dismal music scene and
the lack of quality musicians in the country.

Upon her return to her home country after spending 25 years in
Europe studying, teaching and working with music, Deviana was
shocked to see how the local music scene and education is lagging
far behind developed countries.

"Music education in schools is so poor, if at all it exists.
No wonder the music scene is so dull and full of copycats. The
musicians still can't play the instruments correctly. Even the
most famous local orchestra has yet to meet international
standards," said the school's academic director.

No wonder, she said, that foreign musicians inundate the
country and dominate the clubs and hotels here.

She was speaking based on long experience as a composer,
arranger, music director and performer who has released a number
of CD albums featuring herself as a pianist and vocalist.

Deviana was a professor of music, ensemble, piano, vocal
improvisation and ear training at the Jazz Department of Basel
Music Academy, Germany from 1990 to 1998.

Before returning to the country, she was the director of
Freiburg Jazz & Rock School also in Germany which designed a
curriculum validated by the Federal Governments of Germany and
Switzerland.

Deviana then recruited Aksan, a graduate from Folkwang Music
Hochschule in Germany and already a noted musician in his own
right, and several other foreign-graduate teachers.

Having Freiburg School as the reference, Institut Musik Daya
deliberately launched a four-year degree program instead of a
mere course in order to generate educators.

Later on, there are other programs provided: Beginners music
program for ages five and above, two-year preparatory course for
a degree program, and a crash course program for bands.

There are several requirements for students who wish to enter
the degree program, including the ability to play a musical
instrument, knowledge of music harmony and playing in an
ensemble.

The curriculum is tight and comprehensive, with 22 subjects
taught, from classical music, jazz, contemporary music, music
arrangements and compositions, performing arts, music business
and audio engineering, to music journalism.

Indra, 21, a senior who is majoring in contra bass, said that
studying at the institute was a tough routine.

"But it's totally worth it. Because we get to learn
everything, not just playing music but also sociology,
history ... we learn how to handle contracts, management. So, we
know what's going on in the industry, not just the music," he
said.

The students are groomed to become generalist musicians and
educators.

"We emphasize music pedagogy. To be a good teacher, they have
to know something more beyond playing instruments," said Aksan,
adding that the institute is having a tough time in finding good
teachers, hence there are only five available now.

"The students of the degree program now also teach the courses
and preparatory program," he said.

Deviana acknowledged that the students at IMD are struggling
to keep up with the curriculum as the basic music education is
very poor.

"The students are also spoiled rich kids. But some of them are
very persistent; whom I am pinning my hopes on," she said.

As for the annual tuition fee of Rp 36 million (US$4,000),
which some considered expensive, Deviana said it was still far
cheaper than going to Berklee or Juilliard.

IMD is also equipped with good facilities, such as an
acoustically designed performance hall, a piano in every
classroom, student lounge area with piano, Internet access and
library, as well as foreign musicians as visiting lecturers.

"The number of subjects taught is higher in foreign music
schools. Here we also study traditional instruments and practical
knowledge applicable to local needs."

The school also provides a venue for the students to perform
through its weekly music program as well as performing at
affiliated organization The Nine Muses Club at Jl. Wijaya I No.
25, South Jakarta.

One thing is for sure, students need not to worry about
finding work as offers are already pouring in for students to
perform or teach.

"Unless you're mediocre, don't be afraid you may end up
penniless. Once you have a good quality of musicianship, people
will look for you," said Harmoko, the audio engineering teacher.

Deviana said that opportunities were wide open as many fields
were left undeveloped, such as performing arts.

"We always tell the students that Jakarta is not the only
place to be. There is the rest of the world, as long as you have
the quality," she said.

Despite slow progress and little profit, the school strives to
produce quality musicians.

"Music education is far beyond just teaching someone how to
play an instrument. It can produce a human being with good
teamwork skills, sense of responsibility and compassion."

Institut Musik Daya

Jazz and Popular Music School

Jl. Wijaya IX No. 21, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta

Tel. 021-7209748-9/7208213

E-mail: imd@attglobal.net