KLINGON XENOMUSICOLOGIST & COMPOSER

Jon Silpayamanant, in his cosplay alter ego of j’onn the Klingon xenomusicologist, has been active since 2011. A performer of music in tlhIngan Hol and other constructed sci-fi languages since 2009, Silpayamanant is also the composer of the original Klingon Opera wa’ SaD ram wa’ ram je and the musical score for A Klingon Christmas Carol in addition to a number of other works and arrangements of Klingon songs.

In 2011, Silpayamanant, il Troubadore co-founder Robert Bruce Scott, and il Troubadore percussionist created the il Troubadore Klingon Music Project as a side project to the il Troubadore ensemble. The Klingon name for the band is bomwI’pu (“Songmakers”) and has been regularly performing Klingon music at conventions, Klingon weddings, parties, and other special events.

bomwI’pu (the il Troubadore Klingon Music Project) with Gowron and Martok

COMPOSITIONS

  • “ma’rIan” (2013) Klingon aria, 1’30”
  • “puqbe’ Qapla'” (2012) Klingon song, 4′
  • “batlh qelDI’ tlhIngan, lumbe'” (2012) instrumental, 3’47”
  • “Hegh rur’a’ ghopwIj” (2012) fixed media, 3’29”
  • “Qoy qeylIS puqloD” (2012) [arr. from “Star Trek: Klingon” and “Soldiers of the Empire” (DS9]. “The Warrior’s Anthem” | “SuvwI’ van bom”

J.G. Hertzler (Martok) sing “Qoy qeylIS puqloD” with the il Troubadore Klingon Music Project at ConGlomeration in Louisville
  • “A Klingon Christmas Carol” (2011) incidental music for the play, 90′
  • “wa’ SaD ram wa’ ram je” (2011) Klingon Opera, 45′
  • “parmaq ‘oH” (2011) Klingon love song, 5′
  • “maS bom” (2011) Klingon aria, 5′
  • “be’ joy luqaSa” (2010) for Taletha al Badr. Klingon dance tune, 4′
  • “aler ‘achtIjar” (2009) [arr. from “Melora” (DS9)]. Klingon song.
  • “‘aqla’ bela Du” (2009) [arr. from “Playing God” (DS9)]. “Cafe song.”
  • “yIjah, Qey’ ‘oH” (2009) [arr. from “Birthright: Part II” (TNG)]. “Victory Song.”

PERFORMANCES (SELECTED)

Jon Silpayamanant has performed either as a Klingon or Klingon works hundreds of times. This is a select list of some of those performances.

  • 2023 September 10 – Deep Space 69. Zanzabar, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2020 December 21 – Klingon Caroling. Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2019 December 21 – Klingon Caroling. Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2018 December 21 – Klingon Caroling. Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2018 August 3 – Indianapolis Artsgarden. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2017 December 21 – Klingon Caroling. Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2017 April 7-9 – ConGlomeration Science Fiction Convention. Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2015 November 27 – Starbase Indy. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2015 October 31 – DePauw Artsfest. Inn at DePauw, Greencastle, Indiana, United States.
  • 2015 September 4 – Special Screening: A Klingon Christmas Carol [Screening]. Fan Expo Canada (TM). Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, Canada.
  • 2015 August 29 – Urban Cabaret presents: Raks Snarky – Tales from the Dorkside II. 2720 Cherokee. St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
  • 2013 December 11-22 – A Klingon Christmas Carol. Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
  • 2013 November-December – A Klingon Christmas Carol. Raven Theater, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
  • 2013 November 29 – Starbase Indy. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2013 October 13 – Classical Revolution. Northside Tavern. Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
  • 2013 October 12 – Pandoracon. Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
  • 2013 May 17 – Star Trek Into Darkness Opening Weekend. Hamilton 16 IMAX. Noblesville, Indiana, United States.
  • 2013 April 19-21 – TrekTrax. Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
  • 2012 December 1-30 – A Klingon Christmas Carol. The Raven Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
  • 2012 November 29 – Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 2 Celebration). Hamilton 16 IMAX Theater. Noblesville, Indiana, United States.
  • 2012 August 17 – Indianapolis Artsgarden. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2012-2024 – Gen Con Gaming Convention. Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2012 June 2 – Joliet Public Library Annual Star Wars Day. Joliet, Illinois, United States.
  • 2012 April 20-22 – TrekTrax. Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
  • 2012 March 14 – World Music and Xenomusic. IUS Performance Class. Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 December 9 – Starbase Indy. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 November 25-December 31 – A Klingon Christmas Carol. Greenhouse Theatre Center. Chicago, Illinois, United States.
  • 2011 November 6 – Cocoanut Grove. Melody Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 October 29 – 2nd Annual ‘Tricks and Treats for All You Geeks’. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 July 29 – Cyphan. Chicago, Illinois, United States.
  • 2011 July 1 – InConjunction XXXI. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 May 21 – Louisville Science Center. Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2011 May 15-16 – Space Pirates of Penzance. NAHS Auditorium. New Albany, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 April 30 – March for Babies. Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
  • 2011 April 23 – ConGlomeration Science Fiction Convention. Louisville, Kentucky, United States.
  • 2011 March 26 – Incredible Costumes from Film and TV. Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.

PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS

  • 2014 Novmber 14 – “What is Xenomusic and can we know it when we hear it?” [Panel]. Starbase Indy, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
  • 2013 December 1 – “What is Xenomusic and can we know it when we hear it?” [Panel]. Starbase Indy, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
  • 2013 April 20 – “What is Xenomusic and can we know it when we hear it?” [Panel]. Trek Trax Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States.
  • 2013 April 6 – “Alien Music for Kids” [Workshop] ConGlomeration, Louisville, KY, United States.
  • 2011 July 30 – “Alien Music for Kids” [Workshop]. Cyphan 2, Chicago, IL, United States.
  • 2011 July 3 – “What is Xenomusic and can we know it when we hear it?” [Panel]. InConJunction, Indianapolis, IN, United States. 10:00am, Sunday, July 3, 2011. Veterans 1. July 1-3, 2011.
  • 2011 July 2 – “Alien Music for Kids” [Workshop]. InConJunction, Indianapolis, IN, United States. 2:00pm, Saturday, July 2. 2011. Salon C.
Teaching Terran children how to make music out of common household items at Cyphan in Chicago!
Teaching young Terrans the meaning of honor in music at the Chance Elementary School in Louisville!

BIBLIOGRAPHY & CITATIONS

Annis, Robert. (2012, August 15). Gen Con 2012: Choose Your Own Adventure [Online]. NUVO. https://www.nuvo.net/entertainment/sports/gen-con-2012-choose-your-own-adventure/article_8b57dc5f-c771-5a77-ab44-c35263f0cd17.html.

Bishop, Syd. (2017, December 20). Klingon Caroling hits Bardstown Road This Week [Online]. LEO Weekly. https://www.leoweekly.com/music/klingon-caroling-hits-bardstown-road-this-week-15769916.

Chicagotheaterbeat. (2012, December 8). Review: A Klingon Christmas Carol (Commedia Beauregard) [Online]. Culture Magazine. https://en.paperblog.com/review-a-klingon-christmas-carol-commedia-beauregard-372081/.

Hill, Gary. (2012). Il Troubadore Songs from the Empire: Ridged for your Pleasure [Online review]. Music Street Journal. https://www.musicstreetjournal.com/cdreviews_display.cfm?id=103629

McManus, Drew. (2013, December 27). Okay, One Final A Christmas Carol Reference… [Online]. Adaptistration. https://adaptistration.com/2013/12/27/okay-one-final-a-christmas-carol-reference/.

Patti, Joe. (2013, December 23). Please j’onn, Don’t Eat Me [Online]. Butts in the Seats. https://insidethearts.com/buttsintheseats/2013/12/23/please-jonn-dont-eat-me/.

Silpayamanant, Jon. (2011, April 2). Final Count: 8,263 [Online]. Mae Mai. https://silpayamanant.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/final-count-8263/.

Silpayamanant, Jon. (2011, May 11). “Spaced Out: Klingon music? It’s just one of the many languages mastered by this inventive band” [Online]. Mae Mai. https://silpayamanant.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/spaced-out-klingon-music-its-just-one-of-the-many-languages-mastered-by-this-inventive-band/

Silpayamanant, Jon. (2011, May 24). Klingon Music Theory (part 1): Intro [Online]. Mae Mai. https://silpayamanant.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/klingon-music-theory-part-1-intro/.

Silpayamanant, Jon. (2012, April 1). Klingon Music Theory: Introduction (part 1) [Online]. Klingon Music. http://www.klingonmusic.net/2012/04/01/klingon-music-theory-introduction-part-1/.

Silpayamanant, Jon. (2012, April 3). Klingon Music Theory: Introduction (part 2) [Online]. Klingon Music. http://www.klingonmusic.net/2012/04/03/klingon-music-theory-introduction-part-2/.

Stevens, Ashlie. (2018, July 31). Music’s Final Frontier: Meet New Albany’s Klingon Composer [Online]. https://www.lpm.org/news/2018-07-31/musics-final-frontier-meet-new-albanys-klingon-composer.

GALLERY

Performing at Gen Con, Indianapolis
After a run of “A Klingon Christmas Carol,” Chicago
Costume contest at the Indy Childrens Museum
With Orion dancers after a performance at TrekTRAX, Atlanta
After a Fox 59 Morning show broadcast, Indianapolis
With Marc Okrand after a performance of “A Klingon Christmas Carol,” Cincinnati
After performing at the Indianapolis Artsgarden
Performing a Klingon Opera at TrekTRAX, Atlanta

Opening a performance of “A Klingon Christmas Carol” in Chicago

DISCOGRAPHY

il Troubadore and bomwI’pu albums

“Songs from the Empire: Ridged for Your Pleasure” (2011)

01 “Qoy, qeylIS puqloD”
02 “Leave the Fire Burning”
03 “batlh qelDI’ tlhIngan, lumbe'”
04 “parmaq ‘oH”
05 “Run Like Blood
06 “be’ joy’ luqaSa”
07 “Hegh rur’a’ ghopwIj?”
08 “maS bom”

“tlhIngan QoQ” (2010)

Klingon demo CD

01 yIjaH Qey’ ‘oH
02 aler actjar
03 aqla bela Du
04 Qoy qeylIS puqloD
05 be’ joy’ luqaSa

“Black Cauldron” (2009)

01 Black Cauldron
02 Klingon Aria (Klingon)
03 Robot Merlin
04 Sons of the Thunder God
05 Bonnie Rose
06 Abraham
07 be’ joy’ luqaSa (Klingon)
08 Sands
09 Moon Song
10 Yub Nub (Ewok)

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITES

This page is under reconstruction following data loss of the old Klingon Xenomusicologist site. See the archived version of that site at this link.