The Upside of Chaos: Bard Gamelan Gets a New Home

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bard College’s gamelan ensembles faced the sudden halt of in-person rehearsals and performances, prompting a transition to virtual learning through Zoom sessions and online discussions. Despite the challenges, members adapted by focusing on kecak, remote lessons, and community support, maintaining engagement and connection during lockdowns. A positive outcome emerged from these disruptions: the ensembles relocated from cramped rehearsal conditions to a spacious new home in Bard Hall, a former chapel, which provides better acoustics, room for dancers, and safer conditions.