Marimba playing helps improve fine and gross motor skills, language development, focus, memory, math skills, discipline and teamwork and plays a major part in building self-esteem and confidence.
This year, close on 90 schools and institutions will be descending on St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, in Boksburg, on July 27 and 28 for the eighth Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
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Over 2 000 participants will be travelling from as far afield as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria to take part, said Joan Lithgow, Marimba specialist and director of the festival.
“Education Africa launched its International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in 2012 to create an awareness worldwide of the educational value that marimba playing has, while also creating an international platform for marimba and steelpan players in South Africa to perform on,” she explained.
The festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world and takes place annually in Boksburg over a period of two days.
It is fully inclusive and caters for people from all walks of life, including deaf and special needs bands.
Over the weekend, marimba and steelpan bands take part in various competitions divided into age sections and various categories.
Business Arts SA and the Samro Foundation are sponsors of the festival.
The festival takes place at St Dominic’s, Kruger Street, Boksburg, from 8am to 9.30pm on July 27 and from 8am to 6pm on July 28.
Ticket prices are per day or for two days with various admissions attached.
For more information visit internationalmarimbafestival.org or or call Education Africa on 011 685 7300.
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