One People Voice was formed in 2002. It is presently based out of West Oakland, in Northern California.

It's purpose is twofold:

1.To bring diverse community together through the creation of chant environments, inspired by the Balinese ritual performing art called Kecak (pronounced KEt jak), often known as 'monkey chant' to western tourists.

2. To work in the realms of Procession, inspired by Bale Ganjur, (Balinese Marching Gamelan) a parade orchestra of gongs and drums, in hybrid relationship with other world and Western instruments. It is, a it's core, a 17 piece metalliphonic percussion orchestra.


The One People Voice producer/co-director is Grady Cousins. He has a BA from California Institute of the Arts (Theater/Independent Track). Grady's mentor, I Nyoman Wenton, is a world renowned teacher in Gamelan and Kecak. Wenton is a long-time member of the School of CalArts Music faculty and is currently Chair of the World Music Program.

Eric Oberthaler is the music director as well as a composer and a featured performer
for One People Voice. Eric earned a B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory in 1993 and a M.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts in 1996. His composition teachers have included Randolph Coleman, Richard Hoffman, Stephen "Lucky" Mosko and Mel Powell. His trumpet teachers have included Adel Sanchez and Steven Emery (classical) and Leo Smith (improvisation). Eric has also studied classical Indian music with Sarod master Rajeev Taranath, and has developed fluency in the world of digital audio as a producer, editor, programmer and recording engineer.

 


 

To date One People Voice has taught and continues to teach chant workshops in Atlanta,GA; Black Rock City, NV; San Francisco, Sausalito, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Santa Cruz,CA; Ashland and Portland, OR, Seatlle, WA; Austin, TX; New York City; Amsterdam; Berlin and Schloss Brøllin, Germany.

The Gamelan has performed in Atlanta, GA, 02,03. In 04: Austin, TX; Los Angeles, Oakland, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, CA; Ashland and Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA
; Black Rock City, NV(02, 03, 04).


In addition, One People Voice has produced shows incorporating kecak into Western theatrical form:

Plutonium Pit, 7 Stages, June '02, Atlanta, GA.

Story Time,
performed as part of the First Glance Festival, Atlanta GA, October '02,

and collaborated on the productions of the
Burning Man Opera:
Atlantis '00, Ark of the Neriads '02, Opera Omphalos '03. Black Rock City, NV.