(Winner of the
artSMart Trophy, Nokukhanya Mlambo, also collected the High School section
first prize for her school, Inanda Seminary Grade 9A, from judges Patti Bosman and Caroline Smart)
Today’s annual Drum for Joy Steel Drum Competition once
again filled the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre with excited youngsters. The
competition forms part of the 2015 National Creative Arts Youth Festival which
is currently taking place at the theatre.
The competition features schools from around KZN and is
always filled with high energy and a consistently improving standard of steel
drum music.
Stalwarts of the competition, organiser and band leader
Bryan Clarke who co-founded the festival in 1995, and Caroline Smart who has
been judging the competition since its inception, celebrated the 20 years of
the competition’s existence. This year, Patti Bosman joined the judging panel
bringing with her, her many years of experience of steel band music.
In the Primary School section, the Drum for Joy Trophy went to Kokstad Junior Grade 6 in first
position with St Patricks Grade 6 winning the Troubadour Productions Trophy in
second place and Warner Beach in third place.
In the High School section, Inanda 9A won the Elizabeth
Sneddon Trophy for first place with Hillcrest winning the Troubadour
Productions Trophy for second place.
St Mary’s won the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra Spirit Trophy.
The artSMart Rising Star Trophy for an outstanding
performance by an individual band member was won by Nokukhanya Mlambo from
Inanda 9A. This trophy is presented to someone who presents an efficient and
professional attitude in their work.
The other Rising Star nominees were:
PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION: Jayden Roberts (Brown School Grade
4); Andiswa Ngcobo (Gordon Road); Siyasanga Ngissa (Kokstad Junior Grade 5);
Iviwe Bhengu (St Mary’s); Scherrin Zubek who was also a nominee last year
(Brown School Grade 5); Esihle Ntonga (St Patricks School Grade 5); Sthabile
Zondo (Durban Primary); Thobele Chaka (St Patricks School Grade 5); Charissa
Schutte (Kokstad Junior Grade 6); Abigail Masonda (Warner Beach), and
Ncuthukazi Dlatu (St Patricks Grade 6);
HIGH SCHOOL SECTION: Hloniphile Ndlovu (Inanda Seminary
Grade 9B); Ndumiso Sibisi (Hillcrest), and Nokukhanya Mlambo (Inanda Seminary
Grade 9A).
For
more information on the Drum for Joy competition, contact the National Creative
Arts Youth Festival Office, on 083 952 5714 or email:ncayf@iafrica.com