AMP awards in marimba fest

On Youth Day last week, Access Music Project (AMP!) ensembles competed in six categories at the Marimba Education Foundation (MEF) National Marimba Festival held in Johannesburg and won in two of the categories: High School large ensemble own choice piece and Open small ensemble own choice piece.

AMP! was sponsored by the National Lottery and MEF.

The event was organised by the foundation to mark the 40th anniversary of the Soweto June 16 youth uprising.

AMP! Director, Gareth Walwyn said it was an exciting trip for all and a chance for the students to see some of the country as they travelled by bus: “Not to mention the dizzyingly stimulating experience of participating in a music festival with hundreds of other marimba musicians and groups.”

Although the Festival takes the form of a competition, the main aim of the event, say the organisers, lies in the crosspollination of ideas, styles and repertoire that inspires the players and educators to reach higher and higher levels of creative excellence in marimba playing.

“The festival caters for all ages, from primary to high school, from amateur to professional, from pure instrumentals to marimbas combined with vocals and dancing,” said Hildé Gordon, Director of MEF

The festival caters for all ages, from primary to high school, from amateur to professional, from pure instrumentals to marimbas combined with vocals and dancing