29 & 30 september
Michaelhouse
bALGOWAN
KWAZULU-NATAL MIDLANDS
Message from the organiser
It is a privilege to host the first national marimba competition for high school bands at Michaelhouse. Nestled in the scenic Kwazulu-Natal Midlands, Michaelhouse’s beautiful campus with ten state of the art boarding houses and a large indoor center, is the perfect setting for hosting a competition of this nature. Michaelhouse has a proud and long-standing relationship with arts development and its marimba program focuses on development and community engagement.
The competition will run over two days and bands from across South Africa will compete in four different categories that will test the bands’ ability and skills in different genres and styles of music. The adjudication panel will consist of expert musicians and educators. They will score each band using a set of criteria that focuses primarily on the quality of music that is being played, whilst performance skills, presentation and creativity will also be judged. The five bands with the highest combined scores over all four categories, will advance to the final round.
Trophies will be awarded to all the category winners and the overall winner will receive bragging rights for a year, as well as a brand new compact marimba from the sponsors, AMI (African Music Instruments) from Makhanda.
On behalf of Michaelhouse and our community, I would like to invite you to join us for this exciting new competition.
Dr Carika de Swardt
(Competition Director)
Message from our sponsors
The story of African Musical Instruments’ (AMI) journey is built on close links with South African Schools, to whom we have provided premium marimbas for over 20 years. We are proud to have been a part of the growth of the marimba movement in South Africa and beyond, and excited that it shows no signs of slowing down. Because we listen to our customers, our range of instruments has been designed to suit their needs. At the heart of AMI, as with music making, are relationships. So we are excited to be partnering Michaelhouse to make the 2025 National Festival an event that moves the bar upward, where every student comes away a winner.
COMPETITION
CATEGORIES
Enter all (or some) of the categories.
Only bands who enter all four categories can proceed to the final round.
Top 5 highest scoring bands play in the final round.
In final round, bands must play their best song (from any of the 4 categories).
Category 1:
Timeless Classix
Category 2:
Rhythm Fusion
Category 3:
Global Harmony
Category 4:
Mzanzi fo' sho!
Timeless Classix
Category 1
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Style: Play a piece in any style inspired by the works of only one of the designated classical composers.
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Instruments: In this category, only African marimbas and non-melodic percussion such as drums, shakers, rattles are permitted.
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Choices: For 2025, you can choose from the BIG FOUR B’s.
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3 minute time limit
Johann Sebastian Bach
1685 – 1750
Hector Berlioz
1803 - 1869
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Ludwig von Beethoven
1770 - 1827
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Benjamin Britten
1913 - 1976
Rhythm Fusion
Category 2
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Style: Play a piece in any style that features a melodic instrument(s) other than marimbas.
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Instruments: The additional instrument should contribute significantly to the performance and melodic development of the piece.
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The instrumentalist(s) must be a member of the marimba band.
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3 minute time limit
Global Harmony
Category 3
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Style: A piece, presented in any style, which originates from any continent except Africa.
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Instruments: Only marimbas and non-melodic percussion may be played in this category.
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No other melodic instruments may be used in this category.
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3 minute time limit
Mzanzi fo' sho!
Category 4
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A piece in any style, which was created/composed by a South African composer/artist.
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Only African marimbas and non-melodic percussion like (drums, shakers) may be played in this category.
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No other melodic instruments may be played in this category.
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3 minute time limit
Free Category for Aspiring Composers
Aspiring young composers are invited to enter this category.
Compositions must be original (not arrangements of existing pieces).
Each school may only enter one piece in this category.
Time limit: 3 minutes
Performance criteria: Perform either as soloist or with your marimba band
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
30 APRIL 2025
Late Registration & Entry
(Cut-off: 30 May 2025)
Penalties Fees apply:
Registration: R300 extra per band
Entry: R50 extra per participant
FOLLOW US
Contact Us
cardes@michaelhouse.org
+27 33 234 1000
+27 33 234 1238
+82 441 6321 (organiser)
By participating in the National High Schools Marimba Competition, you grant permission for your band members to be photographed, filmed, broadcasted, and featured on social media without compensation. You also confirm that you have written consent from parents for all minors (under 18).
our partners
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