August 26th, 2026MarimbaTaters teaching musical skills to schools
The Geelong MarimbaTaters is teaching new musical skills to Creswick North and Creswick primary schools – the start of an ongoing exciting partnership.
The vibrant sounds of the MarimbaTaters, primary school students from Geelong, recently echoed through Creswick as the acclaimed youth marimba ensemble visited Creswick North Primary School and Creswick Primary School, delighting students with an energetic performance and introducing them to the exciting world of marimba music.
The marimba is an instrument similar to a xylophone, but with a deeper sound and frequently used in African music.
CresFest director Stella Savy said the visit marked the beginning of an exciting partnership between the MarimbaTaters, CresFest and Creswick North Primary School.
“Students from Creswick are now embarking on a musical journey that will culminate in a special performance at CresFest 2027. This program is part of CresFest’s long-term vision to make music an ongoing and accessible part of every primary school’s learning experience in Creswick.”
Throughout Term 4 this year and Term 1 in 2027, CresFest will provide professional musicians to work with students at Creswick St Augustine’s and Creswick North primary schools, delivering high-quality music education and inspiring young people through hands-on performance experiences.
Stella said the MarimbaTaters would work with students at Creswick North Primary School, while other professional musicians engaged by CresFest would lead music programs across the three schools.
“These collaborations are designed to build confidence, develop musical skills and foster a lifelong love of music within the local community. I am very excited to be working with these young students who are already demonstrating a real desire to embrace music in their lives.”
The program will culminate in all three schools joining together for CresFest’s community extravaganza The Big Bang, to be held on the Saturday afternoon of the first weekend in April 2027. The performance will see hundreds of local students share the stage with professional musicians in a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and live music.
During the MarimbaTaters performance, Creswick students from both schools joined in with enthusiasm, singing, clapping and dancing – the excitement and energy throughout the day were infectious.
The MarimbaTaters are talented young musicians and senior primary students from Tate Street Primary School in East Geelong who love to play the marimba.
They play rhythmically challenging, multiple-part arrangements of exciting African-inspired marimba tunes.
The band is led by teacher and Community Music leader, Dani Rocca and accompanied by Adam Burke.
The marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars that are struck by mallets.
Below each bar is a resonator pipe that amplifies particular harmonics of its sound. Compared to the xylophone, the marimba has a lower range.
Typically, the bars of a marimba are arranged chromatically, like the keys of a piano. The marimba is a type of idiophone.
Today, the marimba is used as a solo instrument, or in ensembles like orchestras, marching bands (typically as a part of the front ensemble), percussion ensembles, brass and concert bands, and other traditional ensembles.
Words & image: Fiona Watson
