Page 4
Summer Session Kansan
Friday, July 24, 1964
Brass Choir Terms Stay In Indonesia 'Hospitable'
(Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles relating the experiences of the KU Brass Choir as they traveled through the Far East on a goodwill tour.)
By Emery Goad
INDONESIA — "This was the friendiest stop on the whole tour," commented Al Lowry, who plays a trumpet for the choir.
The visit to Indonesia was termed more of a cultural exchange than were the other stops on the tour so far. The visiting choir stopped at the small villages, big cities, and universities on the islands.
The choir members found the townpeople extremely friendly. Upon arrival by plane April 5 they were met at the airport by a committee and taken to their hotel and thereafter when they arrived by bus their motorcade was escorted through the town.
SCHEDULING of programs and all arrangements for the fine stay on the islands were made by the Indonesian students. Unlike the U.S. Information Service and the U.S. Embassy, which were hosts for the choir in other East Asian countries, the Indonesian Student Union was "in charge."
The Brass Choir averaged one concert a day, usually in the morning or afternoon.
Three of the native students accompanied the group as they toured the islands and acted as their guides during the 21 days.
MOST OF THESE were given at the universities, and the native students as well as the townspeople who attended liked the choir's music.
The best items on the choir's program at the universities were jazz and native folk songs.
Many of these performances were combined with local musical talent and Indian dancing. The Brass Choir members enjoyed this. During conversations with the student musicians in the local schools some of the KUers learned to play the gamelan instruments.
CONVERSATION WAS very easy in Indonesia, for language was not a barrier. English is a requirement in the schools for all students.
"What's happening at KU" was the main topic of the interviews of choir members with university students. The local hosts also asked about campus life in the U.S., dating, and music.
Many of the touring musicians found friends at Gada Mada University, where they stayed. Fifty of the students had been to the U.S. under the American Field Service exchange program. Jagdjarka University, a school of 5,000, also was a stop for the choir.
One of the three top-ranking Indonesian generals attended a concert at a military school on Java where the choir stayed.
DURING MOST of the visit the weather was hot and dry, but the countryside was described as "most beautiful" by Mike Berger, choir member.
The choir toured the entire island of Java by bus, traveling 1,500 miles. Constantly along side the road were rice paddies and a few volcanoes, which made a hit with some KU students.
Nasi, as the rice was called, made up almost the entire diet. It was eaten three meals a day by the choir. Also enjoyable was water buffalo steaks.
English Pro— (Continued from page 1)
Susan A. Schaefer, Larry B. Scholtfeld, Roger P. Schmidt, Jennifer Human Sloeomb, Bonnie L. Smith, Sharon Kay Smith, John Charles, Spaeth, Sharon L. Stalcup, Spaeth, Robert A. Sbape P. Stephenson, Roberta Ann Stewart, Marlee Swift, Alan A. Rhon Thompson.
B Gordon C. Thomson, Nancy Jane Verburg, Donald Ray Vion, Phyllis Wernig, Richard N. Walker, L Walker, Patricia N. Walker, Judiama Wallace, Valeta Ruth Warm. Ann Louise Waters, Judith T. Watson, Joan M. Waters, James T. Watson, R Wells, Steven James Wells, Robert Daniel Werner, Marilyn E. West, Carol Lee Whiple, Sharon K. Whitaker, Judith D. Whiple, Robert S. Williams, Marie Wilks, Linda Sue Williams, Kav Lynn Wills, Robert Orrin Wills.
Vicky Wilson, Richard A. Woodward.
Julie K. Wooldridge, Jonceylane G. Young.
Philip Andrew Young, Mary Jo Zahradnik,
Gearoid L. Zalewski.
THE WATER in Indonesia -was not for drinking, so hot beer, soda pop, and hot tea were the liquids during the visit.
Local hotels furnished most of the housing for the KU choir. Once in Djakarta, the capital city, the choir stayed in what was termed the "most luxurious hotel in the world." Another stay was the dormitory used by the Asian Games athletes.
Most of the time there was no hot water or electricity, and showers were taken in cold water dipped from a pail.
LIVING CONDITIONS on the islands are sub-standard, and the story is told of one choir member who found a rest room short of toilet paper.
SANDY'S
The only substitute available was 20,000 rupiah, which is equal to around 20 American dollars, which he carried. This currency is very unstable and many times worthless and so a 1,000 rupiah bill was used in the emergency.
THRIFT AND SWIFT DRIVE-IN
HAVE YOU TRIED SANDY'S FISH-ON-A-BUN?
We believe it's what's up front that really counts and SANDY'S got it all the way. Quality. Service. What else is there?
ACROSS FROM HILLCREST
PATRONIZE YOUR KANSAN ADVERTISERS
beat the heat the easy way ... Call for our convenient pick-up and delivery...
- same day service on request
- courteous uniformed routemen
- bachelor or family laundry
- shirts starched to your taste (No starch — light — medium — heavy)
- everything returned in complete repair
3 convenient locations: Downtown-Hillcrest Shopping Center-Malls
Call VI 3-5155
acme laundry and dry cleaners
1 HOUR PERSONALIZED JET LIGHTNING SERVICE