Gita Bahana Nusantara 2024: Echoing the Harmony of the Archipelago Ahead of Independence Day

JAKARTA - The MINISTRY of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) is striving to bring orchestral music closer to the general public through the Gita Bahana Nusantara (GBN) 2024 Independence Concert.

“We see the enthusiasm of the public. Yes, young people when they see the Gita Bahana Nusantara concert in public spaces like the Fatahillah Museum Park. What we present here is aimed at bringing young people closer to music, especially orchestral music,” said the Director of Cultural Development and Utilization at Kemendikbudristek, Irini Dewi Wanti, after the Gita Bahana Nusantara 2024 Independence Concert in Jakarta on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

GBN is an orchestra and choir team consisting of young people aged 16 to 23 from all provinces in Indonesia who are talented in vocal and musical arts. After passing through a rigorous audition process, they are selected to perform at significant national moments, including the commemoration of Indonesia's Independence Day.

This year, 191 young people from 33 provinces in Indonesia—70 orchestra members and 121 choir members—performed national and regional songs. “The aesthetics of the creative arrangements also incorporate elements of the archipelago's ethnicities in the instruments such as the flute, sape, kendang, tehyan, and talempong,” she explained.

From August 2 to 19, 2024, participants underwent a training camp at Wisma Kinasih, Depok, West Java, with group practices according to voice and instrument. Combined rehearsals were also conducted to unite both groups.

This year marks the 21st year of GBN's participation in national events. “In response to the public's enthusiasm last year, this year GBN will again perform in front of the general public at the Independence Concert in Public Space at the Fatahillah Museum in the Old Town of Jakarta with the theme ‘Harmony of the Golden Generation of the Archipelago,’” Irini stated.

Furthermore, GBN will participate in the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 2024, and the flag-lowering ceremony at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta in a hybrid format. GBN will also collaborate with Indonesian soloists, including Shanna Shannon, Albert Fakdawer, and Keisya Levronka.

According to the direction of the Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, this year's ceremony will be held in two locations, namely the National Capital and the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. "A total of 16 songs will be performed by GBN 2024 at the Independence Concert and the 79th Anniversary of RI," added Irini.

This year, GBN is led by conductor Eki Satria, an alumnus of Gita Bahana Nusantara from 2006 to 2010, who is now also a composer, arranger, lecturer, and researcher.

According to Irini, GBN is not just a group of young people playing music, but also a pride for musicians who are characterized and disciplined in carrying out their national duties. She believes that GBN serves as a medium to instill values of nationalism and love for the homeland in the youth, providing knowledge and understanding of Indonesia's diverse arts and culture. “GBN also inspires and motivates these best sons and daughters to become agents of change and cultural advancement in their regions,” she explained.

In her view, GBN is a manifestation of a “mini Indonesia” in a musical orchestration. “Music is merely a medium, while the underlying spirit is nationalism. This pride and love for the homeland will build and foster something good for the nation and state,” concluded Irini.[*]