ZIMBABWE College of Music marimba ensemble, Timbila Vibes, are extending their begging bowl to well-wishers as they intend to travel to South Africa in July for the week-long International Marimba and Steel Festival.
BY ARTS REPORTER
Last year, the group made its maiden appearance at the festival and emerged overall winners, beating 220 other groups from Southern Africa. Speaking to NewsDay, college executive director Rachel Jera-Chigwanda said they couldn’t afford to miss the festival which she said was important for the development of the Zimbabwean arts industry.
“We are extending our begging bowl to both well-wishers and relevant stakeholders to enable our marimba group, Timbila Vibes, to travel to South Africa for the second time to participate at the International Marimba and Steel Festival,” Jera-Chigwanda said.
“If everything goes well, the seven-member group (five boys and two girls) is supposed to leave on July 30 for the festival.”
She said they had so far managed to raise $1 900 out of the required $5 000 that would cover transport, accommodation and food.
“This festival will help us learn from other Southern African countries. It will also give our ensemble the platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s artistic talent,” she said.
Jera-Chigwanda said as much as they would seek for help, they had come up with the idea of hosting fundraising concerts to show how determined they were to attend the festival.
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“As part of the group’s efforts to fundraise, tomorrow (today) we are hosting a fundraising concert at Zimbabwe College of Music featuring Afro-jazz sensation Pah Chihera, Luggards, Eve Kawadza, Oratoz, Zimbabwe College of Music Brass Band, Vic Tery and Evans Mapfumo, among others,” she said.
At the festival, Timbila Vibes are going to participate in three categories — steel bands competition, marimba bands and mixed bands consisting of marimbas and/or steel pans and other instruments.
South Africa’s Education Africa launched the festival to create awareness worldwide of the educational value of marimba playing and to create an international platform for marimba and steel pan players to showcase their talent.
