SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SCHOOLS MARIMBA COMPETITION
Create. Compete. Conquer
29 - 30 JUNE 2026
WELCOME
Get ready for an extraordinary celebration of rhythm and talent! We are thrilled to invite prestige and developing marimba bands from junior and senior South African schools to compete in the second installment of this premier two-day national competition.
Hosted by Michaelhouse in the picturesque Balgowan valley in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, this competition is a vibrant event that brings together passionate young musicians for an unforgettable experience of marimba music; fostering camaraderie, musical skill and a sense of celebration in a vibrant, professionally managed festival environment.
OUR PARTNERS
We are delighted that AMI, based in Makhanda, is returning as our primary sponsor! They are not just providing our incredible trophies, but they are also generously sponsoring two marimbas for the winners of both the premier Junior and Senior competitions.
Michaelhouse is once again making their beautiful campus available for the event. They will host the Senior School competition, as well as the grand finals for both the Junior and Senior competitions. Their support extends to providing accommodation and meals for up to 500 students and coaches!
We are deligthed that our neighbouring school, Clifton Nottingham Road, will be hosting the entire Primary School competition in 2026. They are also making accommodation available for some of the participating teams and their staff.
CATEGORIES
Category 1
TIMELESS CLASSIX
Play a piece in any style inspired by the works of only one of the classical composers:
D. Scarlatti
J. Haydn
F. Chopin
E. Morricone
Category 2
RHYTHM FUSION
Play a piece in any style that features another melodic instrument/s (other than marimba or other similar mallet percussion). The piece can be in any style as long as the melodic instrument/s must feature prominently the arrangement.
Category 3
GLOBAL HARMONY
Play a piece which originates from any continent, except Africa. Only marimbas and non-melodic percussion may be presented in this category.
Category 4
MZANZI FO' SHO!
Play a piece that was created by any Sub-Saharan African composer. Only African marimbas and non-melodic percussion like (drums, shakers) may be played in this category.
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Category 5
COMPOSE YOUR VIBE
(Optional category)
Aspiring young composers are invited to enter this category.
Compositions must be original and may not be arrangements of existing pieces.
See Rules & Regulations document for more detail.
“Absolutely beautiful venue/s and so safe.”
“It was a great inspiration for the learners.”
“Loved the venue. It was very accessible and our children and teachers could go and lie down if they were feeling sick. It had a lovely homely feeling without having to travel long distances. And it was SAFE!”
TESTIMONIALS
“It was so cool to see another style of marimba playing that we don't normally come across.”
“We also liked the scoring aspect - to be able to see where we scored and we really appreciate that the overall placement of our band was communicated to us afterwards.”
2025 COMPETITION RESULTS
Category 1
TIMELESS CLASSIX
FIRST PLACE
Richard's Bay Primary
SECOND PLACE
Michaelhouse Competition Band
THIRD PLACE
Northwood Boys High School
Category 2
RHYTHM FUSION
FIRST PLACE
Michaelhouse Competition Band
SECOND PLACE
Beaulieu College
THIRD PLACE
Michaelhouse Second Team
Category 3
GLOBAL HARMONY
FIRST PLACE
Northwood Boys High School
SECOND PLACE
Michaelhouse Competition Band
THIRD PLACE
St John's DSG
Category 4
MZANZI FO' SHO!
FIRST PLACE
Michaelhouse Competition Band
SECOND PLACE
St Mary's DSG Kloof
THIRD PLACE
Merrifield College
Category 5
COMPOSE YOUR VIBE
(Optional category)
FIRST PLACE
Beaulieu College
SECOND PLACE
Michaelhouse Second Team
THIRD PLACE
Thomas More College
OVERALL PLACINGS
DEVELOPMENT BANDS
FIRST PLACE
Richards Bay Primary
SECOND PLACE
St John's DSG Junior Marimba Band
THIRD PLACE
Durban Girls' College Band 2
FIRST PLACE
St John's DSG Performance Band
SECOND PLACE
Michaelhouse Second Team
THIRD PLACE
Queen's College Boys' High School
Primary schools
High schools
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL BANDS
FIRST PLACE
Northwood Boys High School
SECOND PLACE
St Mary's DSG
THIRD PLACE
Michaelhouse Competition Band
FOURTH PLACE
Merrifield College
FIFTH PLACE
Beaulieu College
CONTACT US
cardes@michaelhouse.org
lawzon@michaelhouse.org
+27 33 234 1000
+27 33 234 1238
+72 82 441 6321
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).