The 2025 Chronicle

Guinness world record for the largest marimba ensemble

2nd 3rd

Beaulieu College

HIGH SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT SECTION 1st St John’s DSG 2nd Michaelhouse Second Band 3rd Queen’s College

Michaelhouse Second Band

CATEGORY 3: GLOBAL HARMONY 1st Northwood 2nd

Michaelhouse Competition Band

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT 1st

3rd

St John’s DSG

Richards Bay Primary

2nd 3rd

St John’s DSG Junior Band

CATEGORY 4: MZANZI FO’ SHO! 1st

Durban Girls’ College Second Band

Michaelhouse Competition Band

2nd 3rd

St Mary’s, Kloof Merrifield College

The fourth quarter brought a series of polished concluding performances. On 13 October the Competition Band per formed at the World Horse Breed Federation Conference gala evening, held at Crystal Barn in Fort Nottingham for 90 inter national delegates. Their final major formal performance of the year took place on 17 October at Speech Day, where they performed Chick Corea’s jazz fusion composition “Spain” (off the 1973 album Light as a Feather ), featuring accomplished soloists Ben Viljoen on piano and Brent Tayengwa on saxophone. Later in the quarter, on 27-28 October, both the Second Band and the E Block Band performed at the Clifton Nottingham Road Art Exhibition, joined by five Clifton Nottingham Road old boys. The year’s final engagement occurred on 7 November with St John’s DSG. The boys of the Junior Marimba Band participated in the Cupcake Music Workshop. This collaborative afternoon saw the boys teaching the girls a new piece, culminating in joint performances and warm camaraderie.

CATEGORY 5: COMPOSE YOUR VIBE (OPTIONAL) 1st Beaulieu College 2nd Michaelhouse Second Band 3rd Thomas More College

FINAL STANDINGS 1st

Northwood

2nd 3rd

St Mary’s, Kloof

Michaelhouse Competition Band

(Michaelhouse placed third despite leading by 5% after the first four rounds. Influencing factors included judging subjectiv ity, inexperience and scoring-system adjustments; plans are in place for clearer guidelines next year.)

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