The 2019 staging of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition will kick off with two regional auditions in the month of February. Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, this dynamic competition has been challenging writers and vocalists to become the best new gospel artist/writer of the year by expressing themselves through an original song for over 30 years.

The first of the two auditions will take place on Friday, February 1 at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church Hall, 49 Eastwood Park Road, Kingston 10 and will feature entrants primarily from the JCDC’s Central and Eastern Regions, which cover the parishes of St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

The second audition will take place on Thursday, February 7 at the St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, Ocho Rios, St. Ann and will feature entrants primarily from the JCDC’s Western and Northern Regions, which cover the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.

Auditions at both venues begin at 10:00 a.m. with registration at 9a.m.

“This is one of, if not the most successful Gospel competition in Jamaica, and it opens doors for a lot of new artistes both locally and internationally, every year. A lot of our entrants  have gone on to build a solid music career, including Kevin Downswell, Glacia Robinson, Lubert Levy and Kerron Ennis to name a few.” Said Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the JCDC, Andrew Clunis.

 “A lot of other opportunities have also opened up for other past Jamaica Gospel Song Competition contestants through the training they have received from the workshops, not just the winners. Also, in addition to the invaluable experience and talent development that the Competition offers, competitors have the opportunity to win cash prizes and awards.” Clunis continued.

Clunis further noted noted that persons who audition at the first audition and are not successful have another opportunity to audition at the second audition; however they must do so with a different song. On-spot entries will also be accepted at both auditions.

Entry forms for the competition are available at the JCDC Head Office located at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10, all JCDC parish offices island-wide, online at www.jcdc.gov.jm and at both regional auditions. All applicants must be 16 years and older and be a resident of Jamaica.