Markus Soegiarto

Markus Soegiarto, whose official name is Soegiarto Hartono, is a traditional musician and Kolintang Maestro who received the 2023 Indonesian culture award from Indonesian Christian Journalists Association. Markus Soegiarto is the successor to Petrus Kaseke as a figure who preserves Indonesian Kolintang on the island of Java.
==Early life==
Born in Semarang, Central Java, Markus spent his childhood in the city of Tegal and was raised in the Minahasa family environment in Salatiga, resulting in a cultural background blending Chinese culture, Javanese culture, and Minahasa traditions. In Salatiga, he resided with his uncle Petrus Kaseke, representing his parents who remained in Tegal.
==Education==
Markus pursued his formal education in Jakarta, which later became his permanent residence. 
* 2023- pursuing a Master of Education (University of the People)
* 2023- pursuing a Master of Ministry (STT Amanat Agung)
* 2000- Diploma in Export-Import Skill and Management Course (The Indonesia Export Training Center, Ministry of Trade (Indonesia))
* 1999- Master's equivalent in Network Communication Design program (Purwadhika Digital Technology School)
* 1987- Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (Trisakti University)
==Musicianship==
During his stay with his uncle, Markus assisted in teaching music which focused more on social activities, including mentoring elementary-middle school students and their friends in music activities at the church during high school. Occasionally, he was invited to perform at Satya Wacana Christian University in cultural events, especially when foreigners visited the university. His greater involvement began after settling in Jakarta by opening a branch of Petrus Kaseke's studio that provided musical instrument sales, performances, and Kolintang training since 1987. During that period, the branch's activities led to recording Kolintang music with the renowned Christian spiritual song singers Priskila Group.
Despite many Kolintang products being sold overseas, the export market was primarily driven by Indonesians living abroad, such as embassies or Indonesian communities, churches, and schools abroad. Motivated by this, Markus sought to expand into the international market by enrolling in the Export and Management program. There, he studied market surveys for Kolintang's penetration abroad. The survey revealed that similar instruments like Marimba, Xylophone, and Orff Schulwerk instrument were popular in schools and universities abroad. Kolintang could compete as it shared a diatonic-chromatic scale with a relatively lower price.
Another challenge faced was market socialization in introducing Kolintang as a musical education tool. More than relying on export product exhibitions was required to engage foreign communities in using the instrument. This challenge prompted Markus to delve into computer network technology in 1999, become the first-generation member of the Linux community Jakarta.linux.or.id since 1998. Back then, data communication used telephone lines, and learning the internet enabled him to create kolintang.co.id , one of the oldest 'traditional music' websites. In 2023, it received an South East Asia Business Awards from APAC Insider magazine AI Global Media as Most Dedicated Percussionist & Musical Instrument Retailer-Indonesia. 
==Works and awards==
===Promoting Kolintang culture in Indonesia===
Markus Soegiarto has been actively involved in the National Kolintang Community Association of Indonesia(Pinkan) from 2018 to 2023, focusing on education and training under the leadership of Mrs. Penny Marsetio. From 2023 to 2028, he served as an advisor to Pinkan Organisation.
*Participated in registering Kolintang as an intangible heritage to UNESCO.
===Participation as a musician in International Arts and Culture performances===
*In 2022, performed with the Indonesian National Orchestra (INO) at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.
*In 2021 As a musician in the opera Gayatri which appeared at the Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe.
*In 2019, participated in the Festival Saz Perneli Saraishyq Atyrau in Kazakhstan.
*In 2018, performed at the Sori Festival in Jeonju, South Korea.
*In 2011, performed with INO in several places in Australia including Australian_National_University, Monash_University, Melbourne_Recital_Centre, and City_Recital_Hall
===Teaching Kolintang arts and culture===
*Conducted Kolintang Masterclass for students at ISI Yogyakarta.
*Taught children at School in Yogyakarta's Gajah Wong School Helps the Education of Marginalized People
*Community Service Activities (PkM) teaching Kolintang Angklung music in the Child-Friendly Integrated Public Space North_Jakarta.
Category:1962 births
Category:People from Semarang
Category:Traditional musicians
Category:Indonesian people