Merrifield College is celebrating after achieving first place at the prestigious International Marimba and Steelpan Festival, recently held at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Johannesburg.
This renowned event, one of South Africa’s largest music competitions, attracted over 2,300 marimba players from primary and high schools, as well as tertiary institutions.
Merrifield secured first place in the Prestige category and second place in the Battle of the Bands with their performance of “Chandelier.”
Dwight Morrings, the band’s conductor and music teacher, expressed his pride in the achievement, noting that this was a first for the college.
“Preparing for a festival of this caliber requires extensive practice. We rehearsed from Mondays to Thursdays, and often on weekends as well. This year, we had a band of 44 members, making it one of the largest ensembles at the festival,” Morrings said. “This significant win has made Merrifield College extremely proud.”
Band member Ande Jayiya, 17, described performing on an international stage as “a blessing.”
“Initially, it felt daunting to perform for such a large audience and aim for the title of top band at the festival. However, being part of the band and representing my school made it an incredible experience,” he said. “I fell in love with music at age 10, thanks to Merrifield offering music as a subject. I started with piano and eventually transitioned to the marimba.”
Unako Hiba, 17, who joined the band at 15, shared her feelings about the victory.
“Winning the competition was a tremendous accomplishment. It filled me with joy, pride, and a sense of achievement. I felt privileged to represent my school and be part of such a successful band. It’s a moment I’ll cherish for decades to come,” she said.
Iminathi Zim-Malla emphasized the importance of teamwork.
“One key lesson I’ve learned is the value of listening. In a large band, it’s essential that we all listen to one another to create a seamless sound,” she noted.
She expressed gratitude for the support from her teacher, mother, and fellow band members.
“Mr. Morrings has been a tremendous support, helping to refine my skills. I also owe thanks to my mother for giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing band and tour with them, as well as to my bandmates for creating a safe space for me to explore my musicality.”
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