OUR VISION
To serve as the continent’s premier marimba platform, where artistic prestige meets the spirit of Ubuntu. We celebrate music and joy through a commitment to transparent integrity in adjudication and a standard of excellence in every note.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Marimba World Championships 2026 is not merely a competition, it's a global celebration of rhythm, culture, collaboration and joy. We’re bringing together marimba ensembles from schools, academies and institutions across the world to showcase their talent and passion.
This event is about more than just performing, it's where great music meets creativity, energy and spirit. Our goal is to give young marimba players a strong platform to grow, get feedback and unite through music.
We are committed to:
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Musical Excellence – technical skill, ensemble unity and interpretation
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Performance Spirit – creativity, choreography, vocalisation and energy
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Dress & Presentation – colourful, coordinated and expression
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Educational Integrity – fair and detailed feedback, professional adjudication and opportunities to grow
Whether your ensemble plays for fun or glory, there’s a place for you in this championship!
PURPOSE
The Marimba World Championships provides a platform for marimba bands from all walks of life to come together in a prestigious competitive event to showcase their talent, receive valuable feedback and adjudication, as well as connect with other marimba bands to form lasting bonds and inspire unifying moments that build a strong marimba global community.
WE AIM TO:
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Cultivate Excellence: Provide a high-stakes, prestigious arena for technical mastery and artistic growth.
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Standardize Integrity: Implement a rigorous, transparent adjudication framework that offers performers meaningful, unbiased professional feedback.
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Build Global Citizenship: Use the ethos of Ubuntu to create lasting cross-cultural bonds between schools and academies worldwide.
FORMAT
A two-day competitive event taking place over the weekend of the 15th and 16th August 2026. The event will feature multiple stages running concurrently with different streams and age divisions. The event will feature educational workshops and exciting panel discussions, as well as common areas for eating and downtime between performances
DAY 1
Day 1 will feature an Opening Ceremony with live performances from headline acts, as well as mass music-making workshops.
DAY 2
The championships will culminate on Day 2 with a Finale Showcase and Prize Giving Ceremony, supported by an elite panel of adjudicators and professional MC.
Age Categories
Participants will be adjudicated within the following age divisions:
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Junior Division: Under 13
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Intermediate Division: Ages 13–16
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Senior Division: Ages 17–19
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Open Division: 20+ (for adult/community ensembles)
Awards & Prizes
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Trophies and medals for top-performing ensembles in each category
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Special mentions for outstanding creativity, spirit, choreography and best dressed.
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Overall World Champion awarded to the top ensemble that enters three performance categories in the competitive stream.
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Spirit of Marimba Award for the most joyful and collaborative group (competitive or non-competitive)
WHY JOIN US?
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Participate in a world-class music event
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Receive certified feedback and performance recognition
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Celebrate your school’s musical identity and creativity
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Meet and learn from other enthusiastic young musicians
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Bring fun and pride to your music program
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Hosted by Guinness World Record holders
WHO CAN ENTER?
Primary and High Schools
Private Music Schools
Cultural and Community Music Groups
International Schools
*Open to marimba ensembles of all sizes and levels!
THERE ARE TWO STREAMS YOU CAN CHOOSE TO ENTER
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THE MAIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS STREAM
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THE GOLDEN CHAMPS STREAM
THE MAIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS STREAM
COMPETITIVE CATEGORY
This is for groups that want to compete and be adjudicated. Bands entering this stream will be in the running for the overall Marimba World Championship Title. Participants can perform in any amount of the following music styles but in order to be considered for the Overall World Champion, you must enter 3 of the performance categories.
GROUPS IN THIS CATEGORY RECEIVE:
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Full scores (percentages), adjudication comments and rankings
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Awards for top performances
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Special prizes for standout performance elements e.g. best choreography
Performance Elements & Judging Criteria
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Our adjudication panel will be composed of professional musicians and educators. Each performance will be evaluated holistically, with feedback in the following areas:
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Playoffs (UPDATED 13 APRIL 2026)
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Based on their top 3 scoring genres, the best average scoring bands from each age category will get to battle it out in the playoffs, performing a genre of their choice.
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For the playoffs, bands get to perform their piece for 4 minutes, taking the liberty to add any changes to your piece and making sure to elevate it as a grand stage performance.
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You have the liberty of adding any additional musical element to your performance - instruments, choirs, dancers, etc. (All of which need to be approved ahead of time via relevant communication)
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This is where the Overall Marimba World Champion will be decided, having a greater focus on the grandeur of the performance versus the more academic side in the preceding competition.
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The same judging criteria as specified on the previous page will be included, with a higher focus on:
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A show-stopping performance
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Consistent energy throughout the piece.
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Musical cohesion between the marimba ensemble and the additional musical elementsThe best scoring bands from each age category will get to battle it out in the playoffs, performing one of the songs from a chosen category.
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THE GOLDEN CHAMPS STREAM
Less Competitive
This is for groups that want to perform without pressure. It's a celebration, not a competition. Geared at younger groups or bands that are seeking performance opportunities and valuable feedback for growth without the pressure of being in a full-on competitive setting.
GROUPS IN THIS CATEGORY RECEIVE:
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Adjudication comments for growth and a general award e.g. Merit, Honours, Diploma, Gold Diploma (not specific percentages / scores)
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Positive feedback and special mentions
Performance Elements & Judging Criteria
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Our adjudication panel will be composed of professional musicians and educators. Each performance will be evaluated holistically, with feedback in the following areas:
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Performance Categories
MAIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS STREAM: Participants can perform in any amount of the following music styles but in order to be considered for the Overall World Champion, you must enter 3 of the genres listed below.
GOLDEN CHAMPS STREAM: Participants can perform in a maximum of two of the following categories.
Each category is a chance to show off different musical skills, styles and creativity.
Each genre allows space for:
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IMPROVISATION
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ENSEMBLE ARRANGEMENT
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STYLISTIC INTERPRETATION
1. African Traditional
& Contemporary
This category is all about African identity, rhythm and culture — both traditional and modern.
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Traditional African songs passed down through generations
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Drumming and percussion rhythms
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Storytelling through music
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Songs from ceremonies, dances or folk tales
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Call-and-response singing
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Please note: Drumkits are not allowed in this category. Use of a drumkit will lead to disqualification.
Contemporary African music can also be used.
This means modern songs that are influenced by traditional African sounds or artists.
Combine marimbas with African drums or vocals
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Perform a traditional song in a modern way
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Use costumes and dances to reflect African culture
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Connection to African roots
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Rhythm patterns
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Cultural expression
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Creativity in combining old and new
YOU CAN INCLUDE:
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU CAN DO:
JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
2. Special Categories:
Jazz, House or R&B
This category is for marimba players who want to try something different! Perform songs in styles like Jazz, House or R&B and show your creativity with rhythm and sound.
You must include other melodic instruments such as piano, saxophone, guitar or similar. This helps bring the full style and feeling of the music to life.
How well the performance captures the essence and groove of Jazz, House or R&B.
Creativity and balance in combining marimba with other melodic instruments.
Precision, rhythm and coordination across instruments.
Use of tone, phrasing and energy to convey musical feeling.
Innovative or unique approach to blending styles and instruments.
JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
STYLISTIC INTERPRETATION
MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT
TECHNICAL ABILITY
EXPRESSION & DYNAMICS
ORIGINALITY
3. Classical Arrangements
This category focuses on music from the classical world, arranged for marimba.
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Baroque (Bach, Vivaldi)
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Classical ( Mozart, Beethoven
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Romantic (Chopin, Tchaikovsky)
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Modern (Debussy, Prokofiev)
Please note that you can't mix music from different time periods. However, you can choose pieces by different composers from the same period – for example: Bach and Vivaldi are both from the Baroque period and can be paired together.
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Clear melodies and harmonies
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Dynamics (soft/loud contrast)
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Smooth changes in tempo and rhythm
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Beautiful tone and balance across the ensemble
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Use mallets that suit the style of music
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Try a mix of soft, slow and fast pieces
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Focus on detail, timing and expression
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Musical expression
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Tone control
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Arrangement quality
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Ensemble unity
JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
Your group should aim for:
Tips to shine:
You can choose music from:
4. POP
Fun, loud and energetic. This is your chance to perform famous pop using marimbas!
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Choose current chart-toppers or classic hits
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Recreate electronic sounds using marimbas
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Add singing, beatboxing or body percussion
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Choose songs that the audience will know
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Create a unique arrangement with different parts
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Dress in costumes or use movement to match the vibe of the song
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Energy
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Crowd engagement
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Smart use of marimbas
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Creativity in adapting pop sounds
You can:
JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR:
WAYS TO STAND OUT:
Time Limit Rule – Please Read Carefully
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Each group’s performance must be no longer than 3 minutes from the moment the music starts to the final note.
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This includes any intros, speaking, dancing or singing that is part of the act.
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If your group performs for longer than 3 minutes, you may be disqualified from receiving scores, prizes or rankings.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
We want to keep the event fair and running on time for all groups. Keeping within the time limit also helps groups focus on quality over quantity.
GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM!
Send us an email!
+27814404029
Give us a call!
Sponsor our event!
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