The Jamaica Children’s Gospel Song Competition is on the hunt for the island’s most talented junior Gospel singers. Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) an Agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Children’s Gospel Song Competition will begin its elimination this Friday, February 9, with the first of four regional eliminations slated to be held across the island.

The Western Region will see the first elimination being held at the St. John’s Methodist Church Hall, St. James on Friday, February 9 and will see participants from the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny. Then on Friday, February 16, the Northern Region, which covers the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland will see its elimination at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall in Port Maria, St. Mary.

The Central Region, which covers the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon, will follow, hosting its elimination on Friday, March 2 at the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Hall in Mandeville, Manchester. The final elimination will be on Friday, March 16 for the Eastern Region, which covers the parishes of St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Thomas and will be held at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church in St. Andrew.  All eliminations begin at 9:30 am.

According to Stephen Davidson, Director Marketing & Public Relations, “These four regional eliminations will select the most talented performers from across the island to compete in the competition’s semi-final round. Each year this competition unearths remarkable talents and we expect this year’s cream of the crop to be just as impressive.”

Davidson noted that persons who had missed the initial deadline for entry should still come out to their nearest elimination as on spot entries will be accepted.

“Not only will we be accepting on spot entries, but we are also inviting entrants who were not selected at their initial elimination to make their way to one of the other regional eliminations and try again.” Davidson said, adding, “The judges give excellent feedback, which entrants can use to better their craft and try again at another elimination.”

The Jamaica Children’s Gospel Competition has three categories: solo, ensemble and choir and two age classes: 6-10 years old and 11-15 years old. Entry forms, rules and other details are available online at www.jcdc.gov.jm , at the JCDC Head Office, 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10 and all JCDC parish offices island-wide.