July 6-9th and  July 13-16th 2026

for Years 4 to 10

at Varndean School, Brighton

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We are currently taking applications for our project which is free to our SMS Partner Schools and costs £150.00 per school for up to 16 pupils if you are not a current Partner. 

(please note if we are able to secure Arts Council funding this will be used to fund the project and we hope to make it free for all schools to take part). 

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The Gamelan Project 2026 is a collaborative initiative between Sussex Music School and Varndean School to enhance cultural education in schools through gamelan music.

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Children from years 4 - 10 can experience playing the authentic Javanese Gamelan gongs and metallophones to make traditional Indonesian music

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An invaluable experience of a non-western culture through music

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Teacher Training and Professional Development

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Teachers experience the Gamelan for themselves and are provided with easy to follow lesson plans for greater depth and follow-up in the classroom as well as advance video resources to prepare and get the most out of this amazing and unique experience

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The whole event is confidence-building for both generalist and specialist teachers

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Feedback from Head of KS2 Curriculum , Annan School

from 2025 Project​

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"We took part in the gamelan workshop on the second to last day of the school year. The children who took part had over the course of the year been on multiple school trips, theatrical experiences, taken part in art workshops... even met cast members from Doctor Who but this experience was by far the most impactful for the children. From the first time a note was sounded on the Gamelan you could tell by the children's reaction that this was a learning experience that was going to have a significant impact on them at a deep level. Throughout the workshop their joy was obvious. They were attentive and absolutely focused on what they were learning about, thanks to the dynamic and energetic guidance offered by our workshop leader. One clear measure of how impactful this event was for the children (as well as all the positive comments offered by the class when they were back at school) was how one child with a complex SEN learning profile took part in almost the whole session. This was in total contrast to her levels of engagement with music back in school and for me a clear indication as to powerful levels of holding that playing the Gamelan offers. Absolutely fantastic event."

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