2012 National Marimba Festival

Bands may participate in 3 possible categories or sections.

1.  Own Choice.
For newcomers to the Festival: Own Choice really is: Own Choice!  You are free to choose whatever music your band enjoys playing, as long as it falls within the time limit.  We are accustomed to an incredible variety of repertoire and embrace the opportunity to listen to diverse offerings.
Please note: Repertoire from 2 and 3 below may NOT be performed in this section.

2.  Prescribed African Piece - Set arrangement.
This is an exciting, brand new section which has been included as a result of teachers’ feedback from the questionnaire handed out at last year’s festival.  SAMRO is generously sponsoring the arranging for marimba band, of 9 pieces of South African Music. Participants in each age group will be able to choose one of three pieces, all of which will have been arranged by the same expert arranger, to ensure a similar standard across the age group.  Music will be made available in staff notation and mp3 as soon as the work has been completed.  Bands may play these arrangements strictly as written, or with a freer interpretation.

3.  Prescribed Piece – Own arrangement.
This section has grown in popularity.  The piece(s) for 2012 will be announced soon. 

Category/Section	Age Group	Group Size	Time Limit
Own Choice	Primary School	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
	High School	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
	Open	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
Prescribed Piece	Primary School	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
(Own Arrangement)		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
	High School	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
	Open	Small Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
		Large Group	1 ½ - 3 minutes
Prescribed Piece	Primary School	Small Group
(Set Arrangement)		Large Group
	High School	Small Group
		Large Group
	Open	Small Group
		Large Group

Massed Items
All bands are invited to participate in the massed marimba items. More information will follow.

• Primary School:  Learners Gr 0 – 7 ; Teachers may not play, conduct or participate in any way.
• High School:  Learners Gr 8 – 12 ; May include younger learners; Teachers may not play, conduct or participate in any way.
• Open:  Adult and Professional Bands.  Any group may enter in the Open section provided that they do not repeat repertoire that they have played in another section.  This includes school bands where the teachers play along (on marimba or percussion) or conduct. 
• Small Group:  Group of 10 players or less, including percussion. 
• Large Group:  Group of 11 or more players, including percussion.
• Time Limit:  Groups will be penalised if the duration of their performance is over or underthe time limit. Timing will be recorded from the start of the actual performance.  We draw attention to the fact that “more” is “less” and adjudicators and audience alike respond better to a performance that doesn’t go on forever.
• Singing/Dancing:  Band members may sing during their performance. Separate choir/singers not allowed.  Bands are free to have extra dancers if they so wish.  This will not impact on the adjudication.
• Instruments:  We appeal to bands to bring their own instruments, particularly those from the Gauteng area.  If bands travelling from further afield are not able to bring their own marimbas, they should make prior arrangements with the organisers to use instruments on site.  Please note that in this case, participation in the massed items cannot be guaranteed.  Preference for the use of the instruments must be given to the bands to which they belong, although sharing is encouraged. 
• Judging Criteria:  These are being re-examined, in consultation with past adjudicators and marimba experts nationally, and will be available on our web-site.
• Educators Item:  There will be an opportunity for all educators to perform a selected piece.  Music in staff notation will be sent out once the choice has been finalised.

Please note: we have omitted the Mixed Ensemble Category as it has always been the least popular in terms of participation, and we have had numerous requests to shorten the programme.

Entrance Fees and Deadlines

• R200.00 non-refundable registration fee per institution to be paid by Wed 4 April 2012.
• R85 per participant for Festival Pass, payable by closing date of competition: Wed 27 June 2012.
• Closing Date for Registration: Wed 4 April 2012
• Late Registration Penalty: R100.00
• Closing Date for Entries: Wed 27 June 2012
• Late Entries Penalty: R200
• There is no extra fee per category. 

Limited sponsorship is available for needy schools.  Please contact the organisers directly via email as soon as possible, on a first-come, first serve basis.

Please contact us if you have any queries or comments. We look forward to another wonderful Marimba Festival and thank you in anticipation of your support.  Download this information in PDF here.