The Maru-a-Pula Marimba Band USA Tour 2016
“Inspiring, spirit-soaring, energy-amping performance –what a fantastic evening! I’m still thrumming.”-- Beth Nissen, NBC Senior Producer
One of Africa’s finest, the MaP Marimba band:
- performed for U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush
- played live on the NBCToday Show
- featured on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric
- touredBrazil, Portugal and Canada
Every two years, the Maru-a-Pula Marimba band delights American audiences with the unique sounds of the African marimba. The energy of our performers is legendary. We’ve inspired the infirm to rise up from wheelchairs, adults to cavort in the aisles and children to spin, bounce and jump with joy. No one sits still!
Here’s a sampling of reaction to our last concert tour in 2014:
Thanks again for the wonderful performances at Catlin - as I said, it was the most joyous assembly I have witnessed in my time here. Please thank all of your incredible students for the impact they made on our kids.
-- Dan Griffiths, Head of Upper School, Catlin Gabel School, Portland, Oregon
I am so, so glad that you brought your kids here. The concert was unbelievable, truly an "intervention"; I have gotten countless raves from both faculty and students. So -- thank you! Please put us on your 2018 tour! (Every four years, right?)
-- Susan Swerdlow, Music Teacher, College Prep School, Oakland, California
Many people told me it was the best show of the year so far here! We had a great turnout, and there was a nice sound board recording made that we are listening to in the office as I write. Sounds amazing.
-- Max Lopez, Programing Manager, Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, Berkeley, California
I just heard your fantastically wonderful and exuberant and inspiring marimba band play at Cozmic in Eugene, Oregon. I made a donation, bought a t-shirt, and danced my legs off. I need to listen to you guys on a regular basis. Doctor’s orders!
-- David Adee, Music Specialist River Road and Howard Schools, Eugene, Oregon
The marimba tour is critically important for our orphan scholars. Every dollar raised at our 2016 U. S. marimba concerts goes to the Maru-a-Pula Orphan Scholarship Fund. This fund covers tuition, boarding, travel expenses, clothing, medical aid, stationery and toiletries for 20 orphans.
Maru-a-Pula is trying to respond to one of Africa’s greatest challenges: the fact that one in six children in sub-Saharan Africa is an orphan: in Botswana, it is closer to one in five.
Currently, MaPOrphan Scholars are attending Princeton, Columbia and Stanford.
It’s a bit of a miracle really.We're making a difference.
We look forward to bringing this spirit-soaring sound to your school!
All the best,
Andy Taylor
Principal, Maru-a-Pula School
Gaborone, BOTSWANA