Photo from 2006 Annual Christmas Party presented by the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico on December 16, 2006. Front: Ethan, Joshua, Cristal. Back row: Tessie, Jenny, Evelio, Adriann.
The Kulintang Ensemble of Albuquerque was developed after Master Kulintang Musician and Instructor Danongan Kalanduyan visited Albuquerque about two years ago and conducted a workshop at the Hale Manoa building. As the group evolved, the members have come to learn more pieces thanks to Jenny who joined just last year. The group also polished what they've learned from Master Kalanduyan.
2007 Upcoming performances:
March 31st: Bataan Memorial Commemoration, 1:00 PM, Bataan Park located on the corner of Lomas and Carlisle in Albuquerque, NM. Free to the public.
Kulintang Instruments
Among many Magindanaon instrumental music form, kulintang is the most frequently performed. Kulintang is a set of eight small bossed gongs in graduated sizes, horizontally laid on a rack called antangan (from antang, "to arrange"). Kulintang also refers to the ensemble in which this instrument is accompanied by four other instruments: gandingan, which refers to two pairs of large hanging gongs that mostly function as a middle-range pitched accompaniment to the kulintang; agung (also agong), a set of two large hanging gongs (smaller in diameter than gandingan gongs), pitched in low range; babandil, a single gong which is played on its rim, and functions as rhythmic timekeeper for the ensemble; and dabakan, a goblet-shaped, single-headed drum with lizard's skin head, the only non-gong instument in the ensemble. (excerpt from Asian Music Volume XXVII, number 2, Magindanaon Kulintang Music: Instruments, Repertoire, Peformance Contexts, and Social Functions, by Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan)
