RULES AND MANUAL

INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA & STEELPAN FESTIVAL 2026 COMPETITION RULES

NEW in 2026: The Festival will run over two and a half days. There will be a few categories that will be scheduled for Friday, 24 July, in the afternoon. The specific categories involved will be communicated as soon as possible. Deliveries of marimbas into the venue will be accepted from Thursday, 23 July. Please allow for an extra day of arrival. Please note that, due to the logistical nature of this Festival and the large number of bands participating, there have been three key changes to the rules.

There will now be a MAXIMUM band limit of 30 band members for the Large Categories.
Steelbands will only be able to enter the ONLINE categories.
In line with discussions and action plans in higher education circles in South Africa regarding “The Southern African Marimba”, and following extensive consultations with Festival adjudicators, to ensure fairness and consistency in the adjudication process, the Festival committee has made the decision to restrict the LIVE FESTIVAL to only DIATONIC¹ marimbas. Schools/institutions wishing to enter bands using chromatic marimbas may still enter the ONLINE categories.
UPDATE: Participants can now enter the LIVE festival with chromatic instruments.

There will not be a play-off or an announcement of the Best Overall Marimba Band at the Festival. Instead, separate awards will be presented for the Best Primary School, Best High School and Best Open Band at the Festival, based on the performance of the school/institution in the “PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN/AFRICAN” Prestige Band category. (see “Special Prizes” for details on how a band can qualify for these awards). ¹ For the purposes of this competition a diatonic marimba will comprise of only one set of marimba notes arranged in a linear design, with the notes only allowed alongside each other. This may include instruments where there is an F and F# positioned next to each other, where there is no F#, and it may also include instruments where other chromatic notes may be positioned, exchanged or added next to other non-chromatic notes provided they form the same linear space. Any instrument that suspends additional notes or an extra layer of notes above the diatonic instrument will be classified as a chromatic extension, and will not be allowed to be brought to the Festival. Due to the logistical nature of this Festival, we cannot allow any fully chromatic marimbas to be brought into the venue as there is limited space. PLEASE NOTE: FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPETITION A MARIMBA IS DEFINED AS: ANY DIATONIC MELODIC PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT WHICH HAS WOODEN KEYS. For the purposes of this competition a diatonic marimba will comprise of only one set of marimba notes arranged in a linear design, with the notes only allowed alongside each other. This may include instruments where there is an F and F# positioned next to each other, where there is no F#, and it may also include instruments where other chromatic notes may be positioned, exchanged or added next to other non-chromatic notes provided they form the same linear space. Any instrument that suspends additional notes or an extra layer of notes above the diatonic instrument will be classified as a chromatic extension, and will not be allowed to be brought to the Festival. Due to the logistical nature of this Festival, we cannot allow any fully chromatic marimbas to be brought into the venue as there is limited space.

Sections and Categories

THERE ARE 14 SECTIONS AND IN EACH SECTION, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES
(UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED)

SMALL ENSEMBLE: 2-12 BAND MEMBERS
LARGE ENSEMBLE: 13-30 (max) BAND MEMBERS (please note this is new for 2026)

Sections

SECTION	ELIGIBILITY
Primary School Bands
“PS” (Primary Small) (SMALL ENSEMBLE)	Bands with 2–12 members maximum (including dancers and/or singers) South African Schools: Grades 0–7 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“PL” (Primary Large) (LARGE ENSEMBLE)	Bands with 13–30 members (including dancers and/or singers) South African Schools: Grades 0–7 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“AP” (Accompanied Primary) (MAXIMUM 30 PERFORMERS)	Bands must have 1–3 adults/teachers playing with the band Please note: the “AP” and “AH” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. South African Schools: Grades 0–7 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“OP” (Online Primary) (NO SIZE LIMIT OF ENSEMBLE)	Available to South African and International Bands who are not able to make it to the LIVE festival. South African Schools: Grades 0–7 Please note: the “OP”, “OH”, “OO” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category.
“OPS” (Online Primary Solo)	Available to South African and International participants South African Schools: Grades 0–7 International Schools: Please check with organisers Participants must enter into Diatonic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category or Chromatic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category
High School Bands
“HS” (High Small) (SMALL ENSEMBLE)	Bands with 2–12 members maximum (including dancers and/or singers) South African Schools: Grades 8–12 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“HL” (High Large) (LARGE ENSEMBLE)	Bands with 13–30 members (including dancers and/or singers) South African Schools: Grades 8–12 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“AH” (Accompanied High) (MAXIMUM 30 PERFORMERS)	Bands must have 1–3 adults/teachers playing with the band Please note: the “AP” and “AH” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. South African Schools: Grades 8–12 International Schools: Please check with organisers
“OH” (Online High) (NO SIZE LIMIT OF ENSEMBLE)	Available to South African and International Bands who are not able to make it to the LIVE Festival. Please note: the “OP”, “OH”, “OO” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. South African Schools: Grades 8–12 International Schools: please check with organisers
“OHS” (Online High Solo)	Available to South African and International participants South African Schools: Grades 8–12 International Schools: please check with organisers Participants must enter into Diatonic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category or Chromatic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category
Open Bands
“OS” (Open Small) (SMALL ENSEMBLE)	Bands with 2–12 members maximum (including dancers and/or singers) Tertiary institutions, professional adult bands, amateur adult bands, school bands (with at least 4 ADULTS). Please note: if you are a school band and you enter this category you MUST have at least 4 ADULTS playing in the band.
“OL” (Open Large) (LARGE ENSEMBLE) (MAXIMUM 30 PERFORMERS)	Bands with 13–30 members (including dancers and/or singers) Tertiary institutions, professional adult bands, amateur adult bands, school bands (with at least 4 ADULTS). Please note: if you are a school band and you enter this category you MUST have at least 4 ADULTS playing in the band.
“OO” (Online Open) (NO SIZE LIMIT OF ENSEMBLE)	Available to South African and International Bands who are not able to make it to the LIVE Festival. no restriction to the size of the band Please note: the “OP”, “OH” and “OO” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. Tertiary institutions, professional adult bands, amateur adult bands, school bands (with at least 4 ADULTS). Please note: if you are a school band and you enter this category you MUST have at least 4 ADULTS playing in the band.
“OOS” (Online Open Solo)	Available to South African and International participants Open to adults (19 and older) Participants must enter into Diatonic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category or Chromatic Solo Marimba/Steelpan category.

Please note: if you have mixed age groups in your band then you must enter your band into the HIGHEST AGE GROUP excluding “AP” and “AH”:

e.g.	If you have a mixed band of primary and high school members then you must enter them into the high school section.
e.g.	If you have a band of primary or high school and there are 4 or more adults/teachers, then you must enter them into the open section.
e.g.	If you have a band of primary or high school and there are 1 – 3 adults/teachers in the band, then you must enter the accompanied primary or high school section.

THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES THAT FALL INTO EACH OF THE THREE BAND SECTIONS (Unless otherwise indicated)
(excluding the accompanied primary and accompanied high school sections and the online primary, online high and online open sections which are only eligible to enter the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS“ category)

CATEGORY	INSTRUMENTARIUM	TIME LIMIT
1	“BATTLE OF THE BANDS” MARIMBA BAND: marimbas with/without non-melodic percussion instruments* only	3 minutes
2	“IN THE MIX”: You need to include at least one other different melodic instrument OTHER THAN A MARIMBA in your ensemble with/without non-melodic percussion instruments. These instruments need to play a significant role in the ensemble.** (Final decision will be made at the discretion of the adjudicators and programme director).	3 minutes
3	“STRICTLY CLASSICAL” For 2026 your band must PLAY music by the Romantic composer: Robert Schumann (1810–1856) and/or Clara Schumann (1819–1896). Marimba Bands only; no other melodic instruments permitted. You may play Schumann in any style! You may include other composers into the composition but the majority of your performance played in this category MUST be by Schumann.	3 minutes
IN ADDITION, THERE IS A SEPARATE CATEGORY (CATEGORY 4) IN VARIOUS AGE GROUPS,BUT RESTRICTED TO 10 PLAYERS OR LESS, FOR PRESTIGE BANDS TO BE SELECTED FROM EACH INSTITUTION, AND RESTRICTED TO ONE BAND ONLY FROM EACH INSTITUTION:
	“PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN/AFRICAN” PRESTIGE BANDS This will be open to one band only from each of the institutions taking part. Each band must have a maximum of 10 performers (inclusive of dancers). Each band must play a South African/African piece or a medley of pieces. (Please check with organisers if you are unsure of the origin of your piece.) The band must be a DIATONIC marimba band with/without non-melodic percussion instruments.	3 minutes
Examples
*Examples of non-melodic instruments	This list includes some but not all possible examples of non-melodic instruments: Drum-kit, all types of drums (except tunable drums), hosho, triangle, shakers, maracas, wood-blocks, claves, cabasa, guiro, shekere, rhythm sticks, rain stick, agogo (please contact the organisers if you are unsure of any other instrument you may wish to include in your band)	—
**Examples of melodic instruments	This list includes some but not all possible examples of melodic instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, penny whistle, recorder, trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, saxophone, bag-pipes, all guitars, piano, keyboard, celeste, steelpan, vibraphone, glockenspiel, metallophone, choir, solo singer, vocal ensemble, bottle band, more than one tuned kudu horn, kora, mbira, harp, boomwhackers, kazoos, tunable drums, narrator or poet. (please contact the organisers if you are unsure of any other instrument you may wish to include in your band)	—

Adjudicating Criteria

ABOVE ALL: THE PERFORMANCE NEEDS TO BE A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

NO.		NO.
1	Ensemble Togetherness Internal balance and blend Appropriate choice of instruments (where applicable)	3	Arrangement Variety in parts Exploration of instrument potential Appropriate style Creativity Colour
2	Performance Range of dynamics Appropriate tempo choice Level of difficulty Phrasing Rhythm Technique: Alternating hands No banging on the instruments Bouncing of mallets Appropriate choice of mallets Playing in the middle of the bars Correct grip Intonation (where applicable) Interpretation	4	Stage Presentation Movement and facial expression Whole body involvement Confidence Preparedness Dress Capturing the spirit of the composition Effort

Please note: Each adjudicator will rank the bands in order. The winning bands will be determined by the combined rankings of the adjudicators. The decisions of the adjudicators are final and no correspondence in this regard will be entered into.
Please note: All performers need to be dressed appropriately. No performers may go topless and please be mindful of how revealing your outfits are.
Please note: For online sections your video will be screened at the Festival in a separate venue but will be adjudicated before the Festival.

Prizes

1st, 2nd and 3rd places will be announced.
The winner of EACH CATEGORY of EACH SECTION will be awarded a floating trophy.
ADDITIONAL PRIZES may be awarded at the ADJUDICATORS’ discretion.

Special Prizes

Special prizes will be announced in the New year. Stay tuned and keep an eye out.

Please note: The donor of the prize will not be responsible for delivery costs of the prize.

To be eligible for the Best Primary School, the Best High School or the Best Open, your band must meet the following criteria:

You institution must have participated in all 4 categories without being disqualified in any one of the competitions within the relevant sections: Primary School, High School or Open (excluding “AP”, “AH”, “OP”, “OH” and “OO”).
The scoring of your band in the Prestige Category (P4, H4, O4) will be used to determine these awards.

Please note: There will be no play-off and no announcement of an overall Festival winner, as in previous years.

Competition Rules

If you live outside of the Gauteng area and are unable to bring your own marimbas you may use the marimbas that will be at the Festival. Please check with the organisers that the specific marimbas that you play on will be available at the Festival. The organisers cannot guarantee that all different instruments will be present at the Festival, please contact the organisers to confirm.

Singing by the Band members is permitted during the performance in any of the above categories. A separate choir or singer for the purposes of this competition is regarded as a “melodic instrument”. Therefore, if the band has a separate choir or singer/s then the band must enter in category 2 only. No offensive or inappropriate lyrics will be accepted.
If a band includes a narrator or poet in the performance, then the band must enter in category 2 only. No offensive or inappropriate lyrics will be accepted.
Dancing by the band OR a separate dance group may be included during the performance in any of the above categories provided the maximum number of performers is adhered to.
Participants may ONLY compete in their relevant section.
In Sections “PS”, “PL”, “HS”, and “HL” the teacher or conductor may NOT play with the band. He/she may NOT keep the beat for the band by clapping, stamping feet or playing any type of instrument including clicking beaters. There is a special section for teachers who wish to accompany their bands. Please see the above rules for sections “AP” and “AH”.
ELIGIBILITY:
SECTIONS “PS” AND “PL”: only children from grades 0-7 (International Schools please contact organisers).
SECTIONS “HS” AND “HL”: only children from grades 8-12 or a mixed age group grades 0-12 (International Schools please contact organisers). SECTIONS “OS” AND “OL” : mixed age group of grades 0-12 and at least 4 adults or an adult band.
SECTIONS “AP” and “AH”: any band where 1-3 teachers/adults perform with the band. A reminder that this section is only available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category.
SECTIONS “OP”, “OH”, and “OO”: A reminder that this section is only available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. (These sections will be BROADCAST at the Festival. See guidelines for submitting videos).
Provided the total length falls within the time limit, a performance in ALL CATEGORIES may consist of any number of pieces played as a medley of tunes in any style. (Medley: a musical composition made up of a series of songs or short pieces presented as one full piece, with no breaks in between).
The same band may NOT enter more than once in any particular category.
CATEGORY 4 is restricted to ONE MARIMBA BAND from each registered institution. The size of the band must be a maximum of 10 performers. The band must play a South African/African piece or medley. The bands will compete in Primary, High or Open sections. Singing and dancing is permitted by band members. Please remember there has to be 4 or more adults in your band to enter Category 4 in the Open section.
Entrants will only be eligible for a prize if the duration of the performance does not exceed 3 minutes. Timing will be recorded from the 1st note of the performance. There will be time set aside for setting up and striking. PLEASE NOTE: The programme director WILL stop the band after 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Unfortunately, we cannot run over time.
Please make sure that you enter your band in the correct categories and that you adhere to the combinations of instruments, age groups and time limits as stipulated in these rules. Entrants that do not adhere to the stipulations as set out above will NOT be eligible for a prize.
A list of the titles of the music you will be performing at the Festival must be sent to the Festival office by 1 July 2026 (due to SAMRO regulations). The composer, publisher and length of piece will be required in each case. (NO SHEET MUSIC IS REQUIRED). Forms for completion will be sent to all registered institutions. Bands which have not returned these lists by 1 July 2026 run the risk of not being eligible to compete.
PLEASE NOTE: Drummers, conductors or band members may not have an inner ear click track or metronome during their performance. If a band is found to be using this, they will be disqualified from the category.
No backing tracks or pre-programmed drum or electronic beats will be considered in any of the categories.

Please note: By agreeing to participate in this International Marimba & Steelpan Festival you hereby grant permission on behalf of your band members for photographs, videos and possible radio or television broadcasting to take place, including posts on social media related to their band performances. You hereby agree on their behalf that you will not claim any compensation for the above. You also agree that you will have written permission in this regard from the parents of all minors (under 18).

YOU MAY ONLY ENTER A MAXIMUM OF 4 ENTRIES FROM EACH REGISTERED INSTITUTION. OR 7 FROM INSTITUTIONS WHERE YOU ARE ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OR MIXED AGE GROUPS.

Online Rules (“OP”, “OH”, “OO”)

Available to South African Bands and International Bands who are not able to attend the LIVE festival.
No restriction to the size of the band
Please note: the “OP”, “OH”, and “OO” sections are ONLY available in the “BATTLE OF THE BANDS” category. Bands in this category are NOT eligible for the “Best Marimba/Steel Band at the Festival” Prize (for more information see above).
Videos must have been made in 2026. Videos need to have been taken with a cell phone in landscape format.
Permission from band members must be obtained to allow them to appear on various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube as well as any other media.
Adjudication of these categories will take place before the Festival but will be broadcast in a venue at the Festival.
If you are entering an online category but are still attending the Live Festival, then the Online Entry will count as one of the 4 or 7 entries for your institution.
Once the registration is completed and the payment has been received, bands will be required to send videos of performances no longer than 3 minutes in length via WeTransfer to luthando@educationafrica.org by 1 June, 2026.

Composition Competition Rules

There are 3 categories:

School Going Youth (up to the age of 19 by the 24th of July 2026 and must be enrolled at school)
Young Adults (from the age of 19-25 by the 24th of July 2026)
Adults (from the age of 25+ by the 24th of July 2026)

2026 Composition Brief: “Write an original piece of music for 3 or 4 piece marimba band with/without no melodic percussion”

Rules:

Only open to South Africa citizens.
The composition must be an original piece and must be between 1- 3min in length.
The composition must be performed LIVE at the festival by an appropriate band.
The sheet music as well as an mp3 recording of the piece must be submitted to the festival organizers no later than the 1st of June 2026.
The pieces will be adjudicated before the performance (ie the performance of the piece will not be taken into consideration) and will be adjudicated anonymously (please ensure your name does not appear on the MP3 or the PDF of the score, only the name of the piece of music) and personalized feedback will be given to each composer.
There will be a cash prize given to the winning composer in each section only.
Submissions of the piece of music must be sent to luthando@educationafrica.org no later than the 1st of June 2026

Once the registration is completed and the payment has been received, individuals will be required to send landscape videos of performances no longer than 3 minutes in length via WeTransfer to luthando@educationafrica.org by the 1st of June 2026.

Entrance Fees

FEE TYPE	AMOUNT	DETAILS
Registration Fee	R800	R800 NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE PER INSTITUTION (PRIMARY/HIGH/OPEN) TO BE PAID BY MONDAY 23 MARCH 2026.
Online Categories	R800	ONLINE CATEGORIES (OP, OH, OO) ONLY NEED TO PAY THE NON-REFUNDABLE R800 REGISTRATION FEE.
Competition Fee	R400	R400 NON-REFUNDABLE COMPETITION FEE PER BAND/ENSEMBLE/SOLO ENTRY PER CATEGORY TO BE PAID BY MONDAY 23 MARCH 2026.
Festival Passport	R400	R400 per participant for a full week-end Festival passport, payable by closing date: MONDAY 1 JUNE 2026. (This Festival passport includes admission to all workshops and all performances as well as performing in the competition). (This fee does not apply to any bands who are entering the “Online” Categories).

Limited sponsorship may be available for schools or individuals. Please contact luthando@educationafrica.org directly via email by the latest 4 May 2026 for more information.

Due to the extreme demand and popularity for bands entering this Festival the FIRST 300 category entries that are FULLY PAID are guaranteed a place in the Festival, regardless of the closing date. Anyone after the first 300 paid category entries will be put on a waiting list in order of receipt. Please note it is up to your school to process payments timeously. (Please understand your own school’s payment processes, as we cannot be held responsible for delayed payments, and cannot guarantee your entry without a full registration and category payment).

PLEASE REMEMBER: There is an additional entry fee of R400 for every participant and teacher for the Festival passport, who comes through the gate. There are reduced prices for spectators. These fees are due by Monday the 1st of June 2026.

The INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA & STEELPAN FESTIVAL will begin at 14:00 on FRIDAY 24 July 2026, run through the whole day of SATURDAY 25 July 2026 and end on SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026 at approximately 19h00.

The prize winners will be announced and awarded on SUNDAY AFTERNOON 26 JULY 2026 at the PRIZE WINNERS’ CONCERT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMPETITION-RELATED QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT: Luthando Dube luthando@educationafrica.org (email preferable!) or 061 005 5192 (OFFICE HOURS ONLY)

Registration and Payment Deadlines

ITEM	DETAIL
Closing date for registration and competition entries including payment	FRIDAY 23 MARCH 2026
Late registration (subject to availability)	AN EXTRA: R400
Participant entries	MONDAY 1 JUNE 2026
Online video submissions	MONDAY 1 JUNE 2026
Late entries	AN EXTRA: R50 PER PARTICIPANT

Rules and Manual