HCA band does well at Marimba festival

The CURRO Hillcrest Christian Academy High School and Intermediate Phase Marimba Bands did exceptionally well at the third International Marimba and Steelpan Festival held at St Benedict’s College in Gauteng.

This festival is the largest of its kind in the world, with over 1600 marimba and steel pan players taking part.

Curro HCA entered four categories and were placed in each category. They achieved two golds, one silver and one bronze. The IP band scored a hat trick by being awarded the ‘Strictly Classical’ floating trophy for the third consecutive year.

In addition to this, high school pupil, Nande Mavume, Grade 9, entered the composition category for the first time and won with her piece ‘Buhle Afrika’, submitted under the theme of ‘African Waltz’.

“The standard this year was exceptionally high and the judges were not envied for their task of awarding places in the different categories entered,” explained Rozanne Milne, from HCA marketing.

The judging panel consisted of Brian Willson, a retired professor of Music from Brooklyn College, New York, Andy Narrel, world’s best Steel Pan artist from France and patron of the festival, and Bongani Sotchononda, a highly respected South African marimba artist and performer from Cape Town.

HCA Marimba coach, Mr Ian Holloway was awarded a special prize of a complete chromatic marimba by the Marimba Workshop for his steadfast work in promoting the phenomenal growth of a marimba culture in KwaZulu-Natal. Mrs Holloway, who runs the Curro HCA bands alongside her husband was also awarded an amazing prize of an all expenses paid trip to Vienna in collaboration with the Friends of Vienna and Education Africa, in a final lucky draw for teachers.

HCA Marimba band awards:

High School Large Ensemble “Strictly Classical” – 1st place

High School Large Ensemble “Battle of the bands” – 3rd place

Primary School Large Ensemble “Strictly Classical” – 1st place

Primary School Large Ensemble ” Battle of the Bands” – 2nd place

“The bands, consisting of 37 lively, vibrant and gifted young players had the time of their lives experiencing many varied workshops from drumming to dancing to music arranging, in addition to performing their pieces in the competition,” said Milne.

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