PANGKALPINANG -- Young talents from the Bangka Belitung Islands are set to showcase the region’s rich arts and culture on the international stage. PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk is supporting Cantabile Musik Bangka as it prepares to participate in the Rising Stars Festival 2026 by Asia All Star Festival in Zhengzhou, China, from October 16–19, 2026.
PT TIMAH’s support reflects the company’s commitment to fostering the potential of younger generations, particularly in the arts, while creating opportunities for them to introduce the distinctive musical identity of Bangka’s Malay culture to international audiences.
At the festival, Cantabile Musik Bangka will present an artistic concept titled “Harmony of Nusantara: Malay Rhythms from Bangka to Asia.” The concept highlights the richness of Bangka Malay music and the diversity of Indonesian musical traditions by blending traditional instruments with contemporary musical arrangements.
Founder of Cantabile Music, Alfris Sarwinto, said participating in the international festival provides an important opportunity for students and instructors to represent Bangka Belitung through music.
“We are bringing our students and instructors to showcase the cultural richness of Bangka Belitung through music. We are not simply performing; we are introducing our regional identity to an international audience,” Alfris said.
Cantabile will perform a Bangka traditional music composition inspired by the song “Gajah Manunggang.” The performance will feature traditional instruments, including the dambus and talempong, combined with contemporary arrangements.
The group will further highlight Bangka Belitung’s cultural identity by wearing traditional regional attire during its international performance.
Alfris said Cantabile had previously received support from PT TIMAH when participating in an event in Singapore. He noted that the company’s support extends beyond facilitating participation in festivals and demonstrates its commitment to the development of arts and music education in Bangka Belitung.
“When we went to Singapore, we received support from PT TIMAH. This is the second time. Having experienced the benefits firsthand, we have seen tangible evidence of PT TIMAH’s support for music, the arts, and education,” Alfris said.
He hopes more stakeholders will support young talents and the development of music in Bangka Belitung. According to him, many young people have the potential to compete at national and international levels, but financial constraints often limit their opportunities.
“We hope there will be greater support for artists in Bangka Belitung, particularly in music, which still needs more attention. We want to expand our national and international networks because many students have great potential, but not everyone has access to the financial support needed to pursue these opportunities,” he said.
Cantabile Music was founded by Alfris Sarwinto in 2019 as a music school offering lessons in vocals, guitar, violin, drums, and piano.
Over the years, Cantabile has grown to around 300 students. In addition to developing individual musical skills, the institution has expanded its focus to include traditional and ethnic music from Bangka Belitung.
Since 2023, Alfris and the instructors have formed an ensemble comprising students and teachers dedicated to exploring and performing traditional ethnic music.
“Since 2023, we have formed a team of students and teachers to perform traditional ethnic music. We want to highlight compositions and instruments that represent our regional identity,” he said.
Through this initiative, students have gained opportunities to participate in various music festivals and events at both national and international levels.
Cantabile has participated in a number of international events since 2022, including performances in Penang, Malaysia; Bali; Singapore; and South Korea. While its earlier appearances primarily featured solo and vocal performances, Cantabile is now taking a new step by presenting a group musical format that showcases the traditional musical identity of Bangka Belitung. (*)
