Gauteng, South Africa - Steel band musicians of St. Jude’s Private School hailing from Festac Town in Lagos, Nigeria, represented their country well, and indeed, their part of their continent for that matter, when they participated in the 2014 International Marimba and Steelpan Festival held in South Africa five weeks ago. The sixteen-student-ensemble chaperoned by two staff were the only West African presence at the South African festival held the first weekend in August.
St. Jude’s Private Steel Band members
St. Jude’s had a very good showing, bringing home three trophies, a giant one for the best steel pan performance, and one for placing third in the “Battle of the Bands,” an open category. Additionally, the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago reportedly bestowed a medium-sized trophy upon St. Jude’s. The steel band also received the sum of three thousand South African Rand.
The festival exhibited the musical and percussive talents of participating schools from areas and countries such as New York, Zimbabwe, Botswana, France, Lesotho and more. There were reportedly over 90 schools taking part, delivering two days full of songs and performances on August 2 and 3, in addition to on-site workshops.
St. Jude’s Private Steel Band performs at the 2014 International Marimba and Steelpan Festival
The official 8:45 a.m. opening on August 2 was followed by the Marimba and Steelpan competition - High School: small ensemble - “Battle of the Bands” where the St. Jude’s steel band showed their musical chops at 9:20 a.m. with Chop My Money, sung by Nigerian artiste P-Square. Event organizers hoisted both the flags of Nigeria and St. Jude’s Private School during this performance. Drummer for the steel band Okeh Anthony received an award for his outstanding percussive flair.
St. Jude’s took the stage again at 4:30 in the afternoon, this time playing Shakira’s Waka Waka - the 2010 World Cup theme song, which remains a favorite in South Africa. During this piece double guitar panist Mesomma Onukaogu also received an award for her outstanding performance.
St. Jude’s Private Steel Band at the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival
For the Sunday August 3 showcase the steel band from St. Jude’s chose Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s song Uquombothi. Just like the group’s two previous musical displays on Saturday, this showcase was another hit; both the crowd and judges screamed and shouted after the presentation, with another band member Nwaka Obiora taking home an award for noteworthy skill set.
In addition to their much-lauded expositions, the band also received recognition for being the school that travelled the farthest distance to attend the competition. Judges during the festival were seasoned musicians, such as panist Dave Reynolds and Joan Lithgow, a Marimba specialist.
St. Jude’s Private School Steel Band travelled with all their steelpan instruments to South Africa. Parents of the musicians subsidized the cost of the trip, while the school took responsibility for the balance. There was no support—financial or otherwise—from the Nigerian government or any other entity.
The group qualified for the 2014 International Marimba and Steelpan Festival after placing fourth in the 2013 Nigerian National Junior Panorama which also served as the Nigerian leg of the festival. Due to administrative and logistical factors, none of the top three qualifiers in that Junior Panorama—Bayelsa State Junior Steelpan Orchestra, Loral International School and Nigerian Navy Secondary School, respectively—were able to take up the mantle.
Nigeria’s Junior Steelband Panorama organizer Chief Bowie S. Bowei—also CEO of the Africa-Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan Development Company Ltd. (ATTSDC)—and his crew are already gearing up for 2015 with preparation for ten steel bands for international competition. The intention is to have five steel bands represent Nigeria at the next International Marimba and Steelpan Festival, while another five would attend a similar competition in the United Kingdom.
The ten bands under consideration are from the following educational institutions/areas: Corona Secondary School, Agbara; Queensland Academy, Okota; Nigerian Military School, Zaria; Dowen College, Lekki; Redeemers International School, Anthony Village; St. Jude’s Private School, Festac; Nigerian Navy Secondary School (Ojo, Port-Harcourt or NOWA Karshi); Bayelsa State Junior Steelpan Orchestra; Federal Government College, Lagos and;. Loral International School, Igbesa or Sanya Grammar School, Lagos. Based on this thrust, there will be no 2014 Nigeria Junior National Steelband Panorama, as all energies are being fully focused on getting ten steel bands ready for 2015 international appearances.
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From data & images provided by ATTSDC