The Universal Marimba Competition Belgium is once more upon us in 2024. As the Covid pandemic caused a long intermission since our last live edition in 2017, it is decided, to be back live in 2024, for the 9th edition of the Universal Marimba Competition for Marimba Solo and Duo. In addition, the 8th edition of the Universal Marimba Composition Competition and International Marimba Youth Competition's 4th edition will take place as well, aiming to inspire composers, to support and to discover young talent and to promote the marimba art as well at amateur and semi-professional level.
This biennial event, located in Belgium, the heart of Europe, gathers marimbists and percussionists from around the globe and foster cross cultural understanding. It has been dedicated with success to promote the popularization and development of the marimba art, sparing no efforts in supporting leading artists and the prize winners. A Win at the Universal Competition is a significant launch for further career in the professional music scene.
The knowledge of the marimba is increasing year by year. Audiences hearing the marimba for the first time are often astonished by the modern marimba's wealth of tonal nuances. It is true that the marimba, being an instrument with its origins in traditional folk music, shows itself to full advantage in music genres as jazz-, Latin- and even pop music. Starting 1960 the marimba, one of fastest-growing musical genre in the 21st century, has been popularized and changed constantly during last decades. It developed as a true classical contemporary instrument, cleared a way at all important concert stages and enables the creation of music by her full display of tonal nuances thanks to the contribution of several leading performers and pioneers. At those days the number of ambitious percussionists being interested in further specialization of the marimba increases. The 21st century will surely be rich in new musical discoveries and development. This will require quality pieces, competitions, concerts and most of all marimbists capable of communicating musical sensations to their listeners. With this background, Marimba-Projects took by my initiative in 2000 the decision to organize in Belgium the Universal Marimba Competition and Festival. This competition will stresses the importance by moving people through the musical expression of the marimba, by sending excellent marimbists worldwide and by waking over further International qualitative development. Holding such a spectacular world-class marimba-themed music competition and festival will definitely deliver a platform for numerous music lovers to enjoy marimba art as the new music of the world and to interact with musicians at all levels, letting them all release their artistic and musical passion, and burst into artistic fireworks in the collision of inspiration and enthusiasm to present a real feast of music.
The Universal Marimba Competition has been dedicated with success to promote the popularization and development of the marimba culture and art, sparing no efforts in supporting leading artists and artworks around the world. The competition received since 2011 the High Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Paola, a Royal honor for the first time presented to an International marimba competition. The competition staged from 2001 two yearly for the disciplines marimba solo, duo, chamber music and composition and welcomed over 850 candidates, an unexpected success and recognition, profiling this competition nowadays as the most prestigious in the world. It is each edition our great pleasure to welcome and to gather candidates from over the world who feels inspired to take part. We are convinced this event will keep contributing in further development and that amongst the talented candidates true musicians will emerge as a marimbist. The competition was able to establish for several laureates an endorsing artist contract with major companies and to found their musical career with resulting concert activities and contracting label recordings. It is with proud to witness our laureates their artistic growth, international recognition and presence as most high classed performers of the new generation.
The Universal Marimba Competition is set as a music celebration continuously inviting top acts and brilliant artistry. Music is a language that transcends borders, touches people's souls, inspires and elevates artistic taste. Music penetrates in every aspect of life and marimba music in particular expresses emotions and feelings in a most direct manner. Therefore, each edition presents marimba music as its main theme, inviting as jury and performing festival artists a topflight of world leading marimbists & percussionists, pedagogues and passed laureates of different schools and styles who boast great artistic attainments and possess international professional standards, all representing innovation and skills, further illustrating outstanding vigour and dynamism. This ground-breaking event will highlight the beauty of marimba and surely being a significant inspiring meeting place for all lovers of marimba music.
We are looking forward to welcome all participating artists, candidates and visitors again at our live edition from October 28th till November 3, 2024. We wish you all a great marimba time.
Dr. Ludwig Albert
Founder & Artistic Director
