Forty-seven junior soloists, ensembles and choirs from across the island competed at the Jamaica Children’s Gospel Song Competition semi-final concert on Sunday, March 20, for a chance to be among the chosen few who would make it into the final round of the competition. The concert, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) was held at the Olson Memorial Chapel, 35 Hope Road, Kingston 10, and saw these talented youngsters try to out sing each other for a spot in the National Finals in May.
According to Stephen Davidson, Director Marketing & Public Relations, “The judges were given a real task to whittle down the 47 semi-finalists to the 24 finalists at the semi-final concert as every piece presented was above standard, but somehow they were able to select the most awe-inspiring performances.” He continued, “This year some remarkable talents were unearthed and we can’t wait to see what these cream of the crop finalists will bring to the National Finals.”
Davidson also noted that the finalists, who will compete to take home cash prizes and trophies at the Jamaica Children’s Gospel Competition finals compete in three categories, Choir, Ensemble and Solo and two age classes, 6-10 years old and 11-15 years.
The finalists in the Choir Category, 6 – 10 year old age group are: Alpha Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Be Blessed; Mona Preparatory (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Say Yes; May Pen Preparatory (Clarendon) with War; and Rollington Town Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with We Praise the Lord.
The finalists in the Choir Category, 11 – 15 year old age group are: Oracabessa High (St. Mary) with God is Great; Balmagie Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with The Reason We Sing; Titchfield High (Portland) with Expect the Great; and Haven of Hope Open Bible Church (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Lord You’re Mighty.
The finalist in the Ensemble Category, 6 – 10 year old age group are: Harrison Memorial Preparatory (St. James) with I’m Free; Trench Town Basic (Kingston and St. Andrew) with I Will Shine; Crescent Primary (St. Catherine) with Ride Out Your Storm; and Harrison Memorial Preparatory (St. James) with Lord I Lift Your Name on High.
The finalists in the Ensemble Category, 11 – 15 year old age group are: Papine High (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Satisfy; Haven of Hope Open Bible Church (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Breathe on Me; Seven Thirty One (St. Ann) with Children of God; and Bog Walk High (St. Catherine) with In His Care Medley.
The finalists in the Solo Category, 6 – 10 year old age group are: Taville Henry of St. Aloysius Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with All I Have to Give; Mikhail Wilson of Alpha Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Two Man Army; Kevin Scott of St. Aloysius Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew)with He Knows My Name; and Sydera McDonald of Duhaney Park Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).
The finalists in the Solo Category, 11 – 15 year old age group are: Toshtica Sang of the Salvation Army School for the Blind (Kingston and St. Andrew) with The Battle is not Yours; Alaina Graham of Alpha Primary (Kingston and St. Andrew) with Won’t Stop Me; Audia Spencer from St. Catherine with Yesterday; and Abigail McLawerence of Haven of Hope Open Bible Church (Kingston and St. Andrew) with You Are For Me.
The finalists of Jamaica Children’s Gospel Competition will also go on participate in a Creative Workshop for children that will also be conducted by children under the guidance of their teachers in areas of speech, drama, dance and music. The aim of this workshop is to engender leadership in the children trainers, to create Interest in these areas by others.
