Education Africa will be bringing like-minded people from all corners of the world together to participate in arguably the largest and ever-growing International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in the world.
Close to 90 different schools and institutions will be descending on the school and will see over 2 000 participants with children travelling from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria.
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. A prominent feature at the festival includes fringe events which feature guest performances and approximately 90 workshops.
In order to facilitate the tightly timed competitions, two sets of adjudicators have been selected with each including international and extensive local experience.
Adjudicators include five-time Grammy ballot-nominee Jason ‘Malletman’ Taylor, Sasha Sonnbichler, Nobathembu Yvonne Raedane, Naledi award-winning musical director, conductor, arranger, composer and educator Eddie Clayton, Mokale Koapeng and Samro award-winning composer Dave Reynolds.
The festival comprises six sections for primary schools, high schools and open bands split between small and large ensembles and within each, a number of categories: Battle of the Bands, In the Mix, Strictly Classical and Proudly South African/African Prestige Bands.
“Marimba playing has certainly been growing in South Africa and it is really exciting to witness and be a part of this growth,” said Joan Lithgow, marimba specialist and director of the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.
“It is particularly evident when looking at the ever-increasing numbers of competitors who take part in the annual festival.
“It is only through tremendous efforts made in the past decade by various marimba and steelpan manufacturers, individuals, educational institutions and NGOs that marimba and steelpan playing have become sought-after activities by youth of all socio-economic backgrounds in South Africa.”
Lithgow said marimba playing is popular all over the world.
“In some parts there are marimba bands similar to the ones we find in South Africa, while in other parts we find orchestral marimba ensembles that concentrate on classical and light music repertoire. Steelpan ensembles too are found all over the world and are a great source of entertainment to all who listen to them.”
Lithgow said music remains inextricably linked to culture and should form part of a child’s holistic education.
“As such, Education Africa has embarked on the establishment of marimba hubs.
“This uniquely African instrument is incorporated into any curriculum with relative ease.
“Currently, we operate 17 hubs across South Africa. Besides the benefits to the learners, the establishment of marimba hubs creates job opportunities as a number of potential marimba facilitators are trained in each hub of which several will be chosen to train the learners.
“The annual festival is the culmination of a year’s work where trainers and learners display all their talent and diligence that has been put into creating incredible pieces of music,” said Lithgow.
“Five hundred disadvantaged children are also being looked after over the weekend, with the festival sponsoring meals, some accommodation and transport,” said Lithgow.
The festival takes place on the Saturday from 8am to 9.30pm and on Sunday from 8am to 6pm.
Cost is R225 per spectator at the gate for a two-day festival passport or R125 per day or R70 per adult per day (admission only to the competition venue) or R50 per schoolgoing child (admission only to the competition venue).
For more information visit www.internationalmarimbafestival.org or call Education Africa on 011 685 7300.
