For most people in the West, the word 'orchestra' is likely to conjure images of violins, flutes, celloes and dapper conductors.

In Indonesia, however, an orchestra (known as a gamelan) comprises a collection of instruments including bronze xylophones, gongs and drums, which can be played by a group of ten to twenty people.

Now the sound of the gamelan, which has influenced such artists as Bjork, Evelyn Glennis and Philip Glass, is coming to Gloucestershire.

Cheltenham International Festival has acquired a gamelan which is on display at the Pittville Pump Room from Wednesday July 22, accompanied by a photo exhibition showing its creation.

The Festival hopes that the gamelan will be used by performers and the public alike in workshops and concerts throughout the year, and to help develop the Festival's world music and audience development programme.

Metal butterflies

The actual music, in its traditional form, is based around a cyclical repeating melody which is embellished by different kinds of instruments playing rhythmic patterns around the notes of the main 'tune'.

The sound of gamelan has been compared to water, rain, thunder or (the festival favourite, from an eight year-old workshop participant), 'metal butterflies'.

Privilege

Toby Smith, music festival artistic administrator, said: "It's been a privilege to have worked with some of the finest craftsmen in Java over the two years it has taken to create a Gamelan for Cheltenham.

"This project has been a special one for me and although I am leaving the Festivals in September, I know that the instruments will be well-loved and will provide much pleasure for many people into the future."

Music education professionals have recognised the gamelan's potential as a teaching tool, combining as it does a very simple playing technique with a beautiful sound, allowing groups to perform very complex music, although an individual player's part may be very simple.

Learning

The ease of playing makes gamelan highly suitable for work with people of all ages and abilities, ranging from primary-school children to older people and those with special needs.

Howeber, fewer western musicians have worked directly with an actual set of gamelan instruments, as the tuning is different from western scales, and it's difficult to combine with western instruments. There are currently only 20 sets of gamelan in the UK.

Admittance to view the gamelan and the accompanying exhibition is free. Contact the Pump Room to check opening times on 01242 523852.