MARIMBA FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2023

International Marimba & Steelpan Festival



FESTIVAL DIRECTOR Joan Lithgow CELEBRATING MUSIC! CELEBRATING LIFE! Welcome to all Marimba and Steelpan Category: Proudly South African/African Enthusiasts. Welcome to our first LIVE for the top 10 performers from each International Marimba & Steelpan Festival institution, accompanied categories for after 3 years of online Festivals due to bands that have their teachers playing with COVID. This Festival is regarded as the them and an online category for each largest festival of its kind in the world section. bringing like-minded people from around the globe to participate in this exciting In addition, there are over 90 Fringe event. events running throughout the two days in a variety of topics: marimbas, steelpans, This is our 12th Festival and is a real mbiras, djembes, various styles of dance, bumper event with over 2000 choral music, performances and much, participants from 7 of our provinces as much more. well as Botswana, Zimbabwe and There are two massed events not to be Lesotho. We also welcome our local missed: the massed marimba and steelpan adjudicators as well as adjudicators from event where we will be teaching a short the United States of America and piece from scratch to everyone at midday Zimbabwe. on Saturday, and the massed djembes before the prize giving on Sunday This Festival is a joyous celebration of afternoon. music and life! It is fully inclusive bringing people together from all our communities Social cohesion in action is what you will including people with disabilities. We be witnessing at this premiere event in our welcome our deaf and hard-of-hearing country’s music calendar. This Festival is band from one of our Marimba Hubs as a time to make new friends, reconnect well as one of our latest Marimba Hubs with old friends and meet people who for children with physical disabilities who share their interest and love for music, only started playing earlier this year. marimbas and steelpans. COVID taught us many lessons and this We thank all the sponsors for their Festival not only has live performances, generosity in helping make this Festival a but we have also included an online reality. We thank St Dominic’s Catholic section for those local bands who are School for Girls under the leadership of unable to attend in person. Bands the headmaster Roger Loring for this compete in various sections and beautiful and perfect venue and we thank categories. The sections are: Primary all the crew, workshop presenters and School, High School and Open in either adjudicators who are working at this event. large ensembles (11 people and more) or small ensembles (10 people or less). The We welcome you all to our Festival and categories in these sections are: Battle of we hope you have a fulfilled weekend of the Bands (own choice of music), In the music-making and fellowship! Mix (mixed ensembles with an additional melodic instrument); Strictly Classical (an Viva Music! arrangement of music by the film JOAN LITHGOW composer: John Williams), the Prestige FESTIVAL DIRECTOR



EDUCATION AFRICA James Urdang Education Africa is an NPO that has over It involves players in the very real activity 3 decades of working together with of tapping into their potential and as a disadvantaged communities to address result increases their self-esteem. inequality in education. We work on the Marimba playing has incredible power to ground to improve early education quality change people and communities through and access through our Early Childhood the promotion of personal growth and Development (ECD) project; we are self-expression. Similarly, at the heart of lowering barriers for promising learners in Education Africa’s Marimba Project is impoverished communities at our school, social cohesion, which can be witnessed Masibambane College; and we are raising here today as we bring together people the bar for social cohesion and cultural from different backgrounds and enrichment opportunities through our communities. In the words of Sarah Marimba Hubs, an integral part of our Dessen, “Music is the great uniter. An Marimba Project. Our projects also incredible force. Something that people include our Water Sisulu Scholarship who differ on everything and anything can Fund, UNISA programmes in have in common” and us being here is Management and Entrepreneurship and proof of that! the South African Model United Nations (SAMUN). Through the years, we have Thank you to Joan Lithgow and her supported our nation’s most vulnerable Education Africa Marimba Team for once citizens, from toddlers to adults, and firmly again making our Festival a highlight in our believe in Making real change Happen by project calendar. Immerse yourself, enjoy providing Poverty alleviation through and make sure you have a fun music-filled Education. weekend. Marimba playing is a wonderful activity Yours in education, that everyone can take part in. James Urdang | CEO & Founder

ADJUDICATION PANEL Ludumo Magangane Ludumo Magangane is a highly accomplished musician and conductor with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Zululand, a Student Teachers' Diploma from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Education degree from Witwatersrand University. In 2000, Ludumo established Ludumo Consultancy cc, which offers a wide range of services in the field of music. These services include facilitating workshops for choir conductors, providing music theory classes, choir training, and conducting classes. He is also an esteemed adjudicator for school, church, and community choir competitions, and has served on the World Choir Council Advisory Board and the International Jury of the World Choir Games. Throughout his career, Ludumo has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to choral music, church music, and music education. In 2022 he prepared his choir the Cantabile Singers for the Linder Auditorium performance of the SAME project curated by Education Africa. Kgomotso Le Roux Kgomotso Le Roux has over 20 years of working experience in the music and arts sector. In the years between 2010 – 2017, she managed over 100 events and international tours for clients including the Sibikwa Arts Centre, The State Theatre, the Department of Arts and Culture, Transnet Foundation and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz music festival. As a music producer, she delivered 40 tracks for Takalani Sesame, produced music for Lego, a TV production for Wastebusters (a UK based NPO), the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and the JazzNL Foundation (Based in the Netherlands). She holds an Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor degree of Music in Ethnomusicology from Witwatersrand University. Chantal Willie-Petersen Chantal Willie-Petersen is currently a lecturer and PhD candidate at WITS University where she is focusing her research on coloured identity, African feminism and historic sound. She is a talented musician and advocate for women's empowerment in music and made history in June 2022 as the first female president of the South African Association of Jazz Education. She is sought after internationally as an artist, speaker and composer. In 2022 she toured as a jazz bassist with the SAME PROJECT which was curated by Education Africa, collaborating with renowned musicians including violinist Regina Carter, composer Ed Sarath, and drummer Gayelynn Mckinney. With her multifaceted skills as a double bassist, vocalist, composer, educator, scholar, and activist, Chantal has made significant contributions to the world of jazz and music as a whole. Her dedication to empowering women in music and her passion for her craft continue to inspire others.

ADJUDICATION PANEL Kay Stonefelt Multi-award winning Dr. Kay Stonefelt is a State University of New York Distinguished Professor and Director of Percussion Studies in the School of Music at Fredonia. Prior to teaching at Fredonia, Kay was the recipient of a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Grant to Ghana, West Africa (1993-94), and, upon completion of her research year, she actively joined the Fredonia School of Music. She has performed with orchestral ensembles throughout the United States and Europe., and for many years built a reputation in New York City as a Broadway show, studio, and cabaret musician, as well as participating in major avant- garde premieres and performances. A lifelong student, Kay completed her academic degrees in Percussion Performance (DM at Indiana University, MM Peabody Institute, BM Baldwin-Wallace University), with additional studies in drum set, West African percussion, and taiko percussion of the Wakayama Shachu School. Bronwen Clacherty Dr Bronwen Clacherty is a lecturer in African Music at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town. She completed her PhD through the South African College of Music and the Re-Centring AfroAsia project, University of Cape Town in 2021 and is a post doctoral Fellow. Her research focuses on women’s history in Zanzibar and draws on various sources including oral history and particularly songs and stories. Bronwen is an established musician in South Africa and has travelled extensively to perform in various African, Jazz, Pop and Classical ensembles. Bronwen plays various percussion instruments (congas, vibraphone, marimba, cajon), and she sings and plays the umrhubhe and uhadi (Xhosa bows). She is an Academic, Percussionist, African Instrumentalist, Community Musician and Composer. Chris Timbe Chris Timbe is from Zimbabwe and is a highly motivated and versatile person with a vision to contribute to National and International human development through the dissemination of information, skills, and attitudes using Music, Dance, and Compositions as powerful tools. His key areas of interest include Teacher Education, Skills development, Project Management, and Cultural Heritage preservation. With a strong belief in teamwork and effective communication skills, he is skilled in playing and adjudicating various musical instruments, both African and Western. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Education in Music and various music certifications. Over the years, he has gained experience as a Primary School Teacher, Teacher Trainer, and Director of Zimbabwe College of Music, engaging in cultural exchange programmes and facilitating the implementation of UNESCO Conventions. He is committed to intergenerational co- existence and continuous learning, fostering creativity and social development and is currently a consultant for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.







HIGH COMMISSIONER Dr Lovell Francis



FROM OUR FESTIVAL PATRON Andy Narnell The four years I adjudicated at the festival I’ve been playing and teaching steel bands were among the most unforgettable and for 6 decades, and I am fascinated by the inspiring experiences of my life. To watch development of marimba bands and steel 2000 young musicians playing marimbas, bands in South Africa. I'm especially percussion, steel pans, singing, and interested in the potential that music has dancing with so much joy, I felt privileged for bringing young people from all parts of to be there listening, giving them society together. Your inclusion of steel comments on their performances, and pans in the festival is also giving a great encouraging them. The overall deal of impetus to the development of organization of the festival is amazing. All steel bands in the schools of South Africa this is even more impressive considering and beyond. how many of the groups have limited resources and need assistance from the The 'pan,' as it is called in Trinidad, was festival in order to be there, and that created by young men from the poor groups are coming from all over South neighborhoods of Port of Spain and other Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, cities in Trinidad, and there was a great and even Nigeria. deal of fighting amongst them in the beginning. These young men started by I want to congratulate you on having beating rhythm on paint cans and biscuit organized and presented 3 Virtual tins, and created a family of instruments festivals during the pandemic, and from oil barrels that cover the entire range opening it up to groups from all over the of a symphony orchestra. The music world. I understand that this year will be became polyphonic and they created the first live festival since 2019 and that sophisticated arrangements for their newly there will be more than 2000 participants created orchestras. In the process, they giving 286 performances. I wish I could also went from fighting with knives to be there. competing with music, and the steel band music festivals and competitions in I am more and more impressed by your Trinidad are world class events featuring work outside of the festival, developing a the greatest steel bands in the world. They method for teaching marimba to also changed their society in profound beginners, training music teachers to ways and became an inclusive and direct marimba ensembles, and creating unifying force, breaking down barriers ‘marimba hubs’ to spur the growth of between amateur and professional, male programs in the schools. It has obviously and female, young and old, black and been fruitful, as evidenced by the number white, rich and poor. The instrument is of high achieving ensembles I’ve seen now known all over the world and is being from every age group. played by more and more people, and everywhere it goes it takes root as both a I'm glad that the festival is featuring new musical and social force. It has reinforced compositions for marimbas and steel pan, my belief that music can be a force for particularly encouraging young positive change in ourselves and our composers to enter their works, perform societies. them at the festival, with a chance to win prizes and financial assistance. Sincerely, ANDY NARELL

PROGRAMME Saturday 29 July

PROGRAMME Sunday 30 July



ORDER OF PERFORMANCES

St Dominic's School Open Day 9 Sept 09:00-12:00

ORDER OF PERFORMANCES



ORDER OF PERFORMANCES



ORDER OF PERFORMANCES Online

Key Largo Centre Northrand Road Boksburg 084 827 6137

EDUCATION AFRICA Marimba Hub Projects Education Africa’s Marimba Project marimba teachers, completes the cycle: infuses high quality music instruction with toddlers to adulthood. unique, high profile performance opportunities to reroute the roadmap of Joan Lithgow, who has developed a possibility for disadvantaged and unique methodology to teach large groups disabled children and youth. As the of marimba learners at the same time, anchor to our Marimba Project, our heads the Marimba Project at education Marimba Hubs provide high quality Africa where she works with a team of very instruction to vulnerable children and dedicated and passionate people. She is youth using the marimba. The Marimba completely non-elitist believing music hubs provide a safe social space for at- education should be for everyone and not risk children and youth reaching over only the privileged few who can afford it. 2000 learners per week during the school term across 25 school Hubs and “When I am asked why I teach music 12 preschool Hubs, including locations the answer is never to create good specific for disabled learners. music or create musicians! It is always the other things that Learners pick up vital transferable skills engaging in music making does for such as concentration, critical thinking children: team building, building of and mathematical patterning, in addition self-esteem, creating a feeling of to teamwork skills, self-esteem and belonging, developing listening empathy to mention just a few. Education skills for life, being empathetic to Africa’s Marimba Hubs presently run in others, developing sensitivity, and so Northern Cape, North West, much more. If I get good music out Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces. as well it is a bonus. The “good music” is a by-product of the Besides this annual International Marimba process, not the main product!” & Steelpan Festival which is regarded as Joan Lithgow the largest Festival of its kind in the world attracting over 2000 marimba and steelpan performers mainly from Africa, we also run an annual social cohesion concert: Sounds of Celebration which brings 150 young people from different socio-economic backgrounds together with professional musicians to make music. Our Preschool Marimba Programme as well as our most recent initiative: the Marimba Alumni Interns Teacher Training Programme where our Alumni, who have matriculated and are already excellent performers, are training to become



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International Marimba & Steelpan Festival