Prof. Meeker and Alyson Hummer (’20) produce two ethnographic films on Burmese Hsaing Ensemble
Dr. Meeker and Alyson Hummer (New Paltz alumna, 2020) have produced two short ethnographic films documenting the work of the Naing Ensemble, a Burmese Hsaing ensemble composed of a group of New Paltz students, faculty and community members under the direction of Kyaw Kyaw Naing, an internationally renowned Burmese musician. “Growing Rhythm” documents the ensemble’s learning and performance of a piece composed for them by Kyaw Kyaw Naing. “Ko Gyi Kyaw” documents the ensemble learning and recording Kyaw Kyaw’s arrangement of a piece called Ko Gyi Kyaw (the name of one of the 37 Burmese Nat spirits), which is played at the beginning of performances to ask the spirits for success. The second film is also a story of how the ensemble had to adapt under the pandemic. Both films can be accessed through the link below (where you will also find a discussion between Hummer and Dr. Alex Peh of the music department detailing their experiences working and traveling with Kyaw Kyaw Naing.