The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the
organiser of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, has begun the assessment of
the more than 200 entries received by the deadline last Wednesday.
The number of
entries represents a new record for the competition which has been running
since 1966. The response to this year’s
competition has pleased the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and
Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, who had given clear instructions to the
JCDC to revitalise the competition.
Minister
Grange’s instructions to the JCDC included: the incorporation of industry
players and stakeholders in the planning and execution of the competition; the
development of potential participants through workshops and seminars across the
country; more attractive prizes and awards; and nationwide promotion of the
competition.
At the launch
of the Festival Song Competition in November, Minister Grange announced total
prize package of ten million dollars (J$10M) to be shared among songwriters,
producers and performers.
“It is my
intention to have the Jamaica Festival Song Competition return to its former
glory. I believe we are on our way based on the response so far. We’re returning excitement and interest in
the JCDC Festival Song Competition.
We’ve received more than 200 entries this year and that is very
encouraging,” said Minister Grange.
The assessment
of entries
will take place between Thursday, March 8 and Monday,
March 12 by a panel of industry experts, including: renowned Jamaican music
producer, Sly Gordon;
International Reggae recording artiste, Alaine
Laughton;
RJR Senior Supervisor/Presenter, Derrick Wilks;
Zip Jock Richard ‘ZJ West’ Henry; and Esirom Jamaica CEO, Alex Morrissey,
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semi-finalists will be selected following the assessment process. The semi-finalists will be required to perform on stage in front of a live audience at
a concert, from which 10 finalists will be selected. The top ten will compete in the final round for
the title and prizes and will participate in the 2018 Jamaica Independence Festival.
The Jamaica
Festival Song Competition, which started in 1966, has produced some of
Jamaica’s acclaimed singers and song writers.
Past winners have included Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Decker, Eric
Donaldson, Roy Rayon. Stanley Beckford and Heather Grant.
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