Zim: Marimba schools festival draws near

Hatched from the idea of identifying, developing and showcasing the abundance of artistic talent in Zimbabwe, the festival will award three primary and three secondary schools.

“We have primary, secondary and open categories. Each band plays two pieces – one deep traditional and one contemporary. Each piece must not exceed three minutes. They will be judged by well-qualified and experienced adjudicators. We are still trying to put together prizes but we are looking at giving first prizes in all categories,” Tambarimba Arts director Don Chidavaenzi told Music In Africa.

Chidavaenzi said the prizes would include portable PA systems, generators and stationery. He also challenged Zimbabweans to preserve their culture through music.

“Our theme is Celebrating Our Own Marimba through which we are encouraging all Zimbabwean to celebrate and appreciate our own pure undiluted marimba music thereby promoting and protecting our culture. Changes this year include our thrust to lure and nurture talent from grassroots by including participation and attendance of preschool institutions," he said.

“The event encompasses schools from all provinces in Zimbabwe. The new education curriculum encourages students to acquire practical skills to enable them to be self-sustained as they leave school. Skills in the arts can enable one to earn a living.”

Chidavaenzi said the registration fee for the festival was set at $150, which would go towards hosting expenses. “We expect a lot more schools to register when they’re open next term,” he said. “So far we have about 15 schools registered such as Avonlea Primary, Louis Mountbatten School, SOS Herman Gmeiner Primary School, Epworth High, Chiremba Primary, Lomagundi High, Kwekwe Primary and others.”

He said major sponsorship for the event was difficult to find but Tambarimba Arts had found support to make the event a reality. “In terms of sponsorship, it has been very tough in view of the harsh economic environment in the country, but we have material support from a few companies such as Dandy, Pepsi, Arenel, Dendairy, Teechers Furniture and others. The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has been supportive and also the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has endorsed the festival as having the potential and capacity to attract local and foreign tourists if given adequate support. If we had more sponsorship the registration fee would decrease, therefore attracting many more schools.”

Tambarimba Marimba Music Festival was first held in 2014 and usually hosts about 50 bands.