How do you solve a problem like marimba – that’s been one of the headaches for Merle Hunt at this week’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
A marimba is a giant, eight-foot long percussion instrument weighing over 350 pounds and finding one and a home for it was the tricky question facing retired schools inspector Merle, Overseas Competitors’ Liaison Officer at the famous festival.
The £10,000 instrument is being played in competition this week by Elise Liu, a diminutive 17-year-old from the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association which sends two competitors to Llangollen every year. (more…)