“Voice of Heritage: Empowering High School Arts and Culture Teachers in Rembang Regency in Vocal Arrangements of Traditional Songs for Music Education”

Abstract

This article discusses efforts to strengthen the competency of arts and culture teachers through training in traditional song vocal arrangements as a strategy to improve the quality of music instruction at the senior high school (SMA) level. The challenges faced by arts and culture teachers in Rembang Regency are limited literacy and skills in vocal arrangement, resulting in monotonous and uninnovative music instruction. This community service program utilizes a participatory approach through outreach, workshops, and mentoring, focusing on basic music theory, harmony, and interlocking techniques adapted from the gamelan tradition. The results demonstrate an increase in teachers' understanding and skills in developing traditional song vocal arrangements for both intracurricular and extracurricular learning, while simultaneously strengthening their role in preserving the Indonesian musical heritage. This article emphasizes that strengthening teacher capacity not only impacts the quality of pedagogy but also contributes to the sustainability of local culture through education.