In commemoration of World Music Day 2026, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) held “Symphony UNNES 2026” on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The musical celebration, which combined education, creativity, and cultural preservation, featured a Music Workshop for high school students and an orchestra performance collaborating keroncong and dangdut music under the theme “UNNES Play the Hits.”
The event, held at the UNNES Sekaran campus, marked an important moment for UNNES to strengthen its role as a university that not only excels in academics but also actively develops arts and culture as a means of building the character of the younger generation.
The event was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Information Systems at UNNES, Prof. Dr. Ngabiyanto, M.Si. In his address, he emphasized that music is a universal language capable of uniting diverse cultural backgrounds, generations, and artistic expressions.
“Symphony UNNES 2026 is not merely a celebration, but also a manifestation of our commitment to developing an inclusive and sustainable arts ecosystem. Music serves as a bridge connecting education, creativity, and cultural preservation,” said Prof. Ngabiyanto.
Music Workshop: Inspiring the Younger Generation to Create
The series of activities began with a Music Workshop attended by high school students from Semarang City. During the workshop, participants gained hands-on experience in the fundamentals of music performance, development of musical creativity, ensemble collaboration techniques, and the use of technology in music education and performance.
The speakers, comprising lecturers, practitioners, and professional musicians, motivated participants to continue developing their musical potential, to express themselves boldly, and to make music a medium for character building, creativity, and 21st-century skills development.
Orchestra Collaboration: Keroncong and Dangdut in One Harmony
The highlight of Symphony UNNES 2026 was a spectacular performance featuring an Orchestra Collaboration of Keroncong and Dangdut Music. This musical presentation combined the elegance of orchestral arrangements with the richness of traditional and popular Indonesian music. The collaboration presented fresh and innovative arrangements, blending string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments with the gentle rhythms of keroncong and the dynamic nuances of dangdut.
The performers consisted of lecturers and students from the Music Education Study Program, alumni, collaboration with high school students who participated in the workshop, as well as partners from music schools in Semarang City. The result was a musical experience that was not only entertaining but also evoked a sense of pride in the nation’s cultural wealth.
The Coordinator of the Music Education Study Program at FBS UNNES, Dr. Abdul Rachman, S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm of the participants and the cross-genre collaboration that was fostered through this event.
“Through the collaboration of keroncong and dangdut in an orchestral format, we aim to demonstrate that traditional Indonesian music has ample room to grow and transform in line with the times without losing its cultural identity. This is proof that Nusantara music can adapt and remain relevant,” said Dr. Abdul Rachman.
He added that this activity serves as an effective educational medium for the younger generation to recognize and appreciate traditional music. “We designed the workshop and performance so that participants are not merely spectators but also part of the creative process. They learn, collaborate, and ultimately share the pride of being part of cultural preservation,” he concluded.
Preserving Tradition, Embracing the Future
Symphony UNNES 2026 is not just a musical performance but also a cultural movement inviting the public, particularly the younger generation, to continue to love, preserve, and develop Indonesian music creatively and innovatively.
This event aligns with UNNES’s vision as a Conservation Campus, particularly in preserving the culture, nature, and local wisdom of Central Java. In addition, the activity supports the national development agenda through Asta Cita, especially in cultural preservation, strengthening tolerance, and building a civilized society.
In a global context, Symphony UNNES 2026 is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through strengthening arts education and creativity; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through preserving cultural heritage; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration between the education sector, arts communities, and society.
World Music Day 2026 became more meaningful as the harmonies of unity, creativity, and love for Indonesian culture resonated together in Symphony UNNES 2026.
