EVENTS
Our events serve to promote nation-building and social cohesion as our learners participate side-by side. They epitomize of our vision of using music as a tool for nation-building to create a more peaceful, cohesive society for the youth of our country.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS
PS: All of our events are run through our NPO, Marimba Jam Cares. The funds raised at these events are used to sustain the community work we do. If you decide to support our events, you will be directly supporting our mission and giving back to your community – thank you!
MARIMBA JAM FESTIVAL
Our events serve to promote nation-building and social cohesion as our learners participate side-by side. They epitomize of our vision of using music as a tool for nation-building to create a more peaceful, cohesive society for the youth of our country.
ABOUT THE EVENT
OCCURANCE:
Annual Event established in 2016
VENUES:
Maynardville Open Air Theatre, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Hugo Lambrechts Music Auditorium, SunExhibits GrandWest
WHAT:
The Marimba Jam Festival serves as our main performance concert event for our students, as well as a fundraiser for the work that we do. The first Festival in 2016 allowed us to start the very first sustainable Rising Stars Band in 2017 with 15 students from Chris Hani Arts and Culture School in Khayelitsha.
This event demonstrates our vision of social-cohesion and nation building, by bringing learners together across the socio-economic barriers that divide them. The highlight of each festival has been our mass-items where all of our students play one song together on one stage. The 2019 event saw 500 students performing together at SunExhibits GrandWest.
Starting in 2016 as an evening picnic concert for our students, the event grew over the years to include music workshops, educational talks and panel-discussions to educate and empower the youth in the Marimba Jam community. The 2019 Festival also included the opportunity for our students from the Rising Stars Program, and Matric students from our school bands program to perform together alongside the local artists Frances Claire Band, Craig Lucas and The Kiffness.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
2019
EVENT: Marimba Jam Festival
VENUE: SunExibits Grandwest
DATE: Saturday, 9th August 2019
TIME: 11:00-21:00
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
Wynberg Girls’ High School, Springfield Convent School, Chris Hani Arts and Culture School, Athlone High School, Livingstone High School, Wittebome High School, Michael Oak Waldorf School, Pinelands Primary School, Shiloah Primary School, SACS High School. Cannons Creek Independent School
PARTICIPATING PERFORMERS:
Frances Clare Band, Blackroots Marimbas, Craig Lucas, The Kiffness, The South African Youth Choir, Jungle Theatre, United We Stand, Two Sjoes
PARTICIPATING PANELISTS AND SPEAKERS:
The Aurum Institute, Women Unite, Africa Matters Initiative, African Ethos, Buyelwa Xundu (MC), Farai Mubaiwa, Hlumelo Marepula, Alessia Patterson, Nyaniso Tutu-Burris, Sky Dladla, Matthew Denton, Paola Theunissen, Sarah Reeves, Shala Martin
SPONSORS:
GrandWest- in kind sponsorship (venue)
Drumming SA- in kind sponsorship (drums for the event day), and running drumming workshops during the day-festival
Gearhouse South Africa- in kind sponsorship (use of gear and equiptment, including building a custom stage)
ORMS and Konica Minolta- Printing of posters and printing
NLC- sponsor of “United We Stand” performers
2022
EVENT: Marimba Jam Festival
VENUE: Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone
DATE: Friday, 9th September 2022
TIME: 13:00-20:00 (Student Program),
18:00-20:00 (Evening Concert)
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
Amy Foundation, Bishops Diocesan College, Camps Bay High, Curro Century City, Gardens Commercial High, Herschel Girls’ High, Livingstone High, Ned Doman High, Michael Oak Waldorf, Mitchell’s Plain High, Oakhurst Primary, Rustenburg Girls’ Junior, Sibelius High, South African College High, Springfield Convent High, Springfield Convent Junior, Wittebome High, Wynberg Girls’ High, Zonnebloem Nest
SPONSORS:
Drumming SA- in kind sponsorship (drums for the event day)
HCI Foundation- in kind sponsorship (transporting our Rising Stars Students to the Venue)
ORMS Print Room and Framing- in kind sponsorship (printing of programs and posters)
Woolworths – in kind sponsorship (bananas and oranges for students, staff and volunteers)
IN2 Foods – in kind sponsorship (cake, biscuits and muffins for students, staff and volunteers)
MARIMBA JAM EISTEDDFOD
ENTRIES FOR THE 2025 MARIMBA JAM EISTEDDFOD ARE OPEN
The Marimba Jam Eisteddfod is the largest annual Marimba Band competition in the Western Cape, having been established in 2017. This year’s event will see over 60 participating marimba bands from over 20 schools!
Performances are split into approx 1 hour sessions throughout the day.
Your Spectator Entrance fee grants you access to all sessions in the day.
Spectator Entrance Fee:
R60 per adult
R30 per pensioner/child
*Children under 3 years gain free entrance
Check out some of the performances from our previous Eisteddfods!
PS: All profits made at Marimba Jam are used to sustain the community work we do. If you decide to enter your marimba band into the Marimba Jam Eisteddfod, you will be directly supporting our mission and giving back to your community – thank you!
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Marimba Jam Eisteddfod is an interschool and interband marimba competition. It is It is the largest annual Marimba Band Competition in the Western Cape, having been established in 2017.
It was also the first of its kind in the Western Cape- a competition that is specifically curated for marimba bands to show off their skills and compete in an environment that is both festive and competitive!
PRIZES
TOP SCHOOL PRIZE
(Recipient of the Marimba Jam Eisteddfod Winning School Floating Trophy)
Awarded to the school with the highest aggregate (calculated according to the average of their top two marks). The official Marimba Jam Eisteddfod “Winning School” floating trophy will be awarded to this school. A Marimba Jam Representative will be able to come and award this trophy to the school in an assembly after the event. The winning school will also be announced via our social media pages and in our termly newsletter.
*In order to qualify for the “Top School” Prize, a minimum of two bands must be entered from your School.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
(Recipient of the Marimba Jam Eisteddfod Community Spirit Award Floating Trophy)
Awarded to the school who’s band members best demonstrate and embody our motto “Finding Harmony in Community” throughout the event day. The official Marimba Jam Eisteddfod “Community Spirit Award” floating trophy will be awarded to this school. A Marimba Jam Representative will be able to come and award this trophy to the school in an assembly after the event. The winning school will also be announced via our social media pages and in our termly newsletter.
*This award was introduced after the 2022 Eisteddfod, where Livingstone High School band members cheered on every one of their competitors, throughout the entire event day!
TOP SCORING SENIOR BAND
Awarded to the Top Scoring Marimba Band in the Senior Category (Grades 10-12)
TOP SCORING INTERMEDIATE BAND
Awarded to the Top Scoring Marimba Band in the Intermediate Category (Grades 8 and 9)
TOP SCORING JUNIOR BAND
Awarded to the Top Scoring Marimba Band in the Junior Category (Grades 1-7)
SPIRIT PRIZES
Awarded to marimba bands with exceptional energy and overall spirit.
SPOT PRIZES
Awarded to individuals and groups at the discretion of the adjudicator.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
2017
Host School: Springfield Convent School
Adjudicator: Dizu Plaaitjies
Top School Prize: Springfield Convent School
2018
Host School: Springfield Convent School
Adjudicator: Sky Dladla
Top School Prize: Wynberg Girls’ High School
2019
Host School: Cannons Creek Independent School
Adjudicator: Thandi Swaartbooi
Top School Prize: Wynberg Girls’ High School
2022
Host School: Livingstone High School
Adjudicator: Keketso Bolofo
Top School Prize: Westerford High School
Community Spirit Award: Livingstone High School
The Largest Marimba Ensemble
Watch Marimba Jam Break the World Record for the “Largest Marimba Ensemble” here.
Marimba Jam Breaks the World Record for the
“Largest Marimba Ensemble” with 241 Females on Women’s Day 2018!
Sip & Jam
Sip & Jam: Marimba Jam’s First-Ever Monthly Experience in Johannesburg!
What happens when you mix a laid-back vibe, great company, and a few marimbas? You get Sip & Jam; our brand new monthly musical social in Johannesburg!
On Sunday 6th of April 2025, we hosted our first-ever Sip & Jam at Victoria Yards, and the energy was unmatched. Guests enjoyed drinks, snacks, and the joy of trying out the marimba in a fun, no-pressure setting. Whether you came to vibe, play, or just sip and sway, it was a night to remember.
Why Sip & Play?
Because music is meant to be shared and we believe everyone deserves a chance to play, laugh, and connect through rhythm.
