Entry deadline extended for Festival Song Competition

The entry deadline for the Jamaica Festival Song Competition has been extended to Friday, March 18, 2022. Committee Chairman Orville Hill says that this is to allow more time for potential entrants to better complete their entries before submission.

“This is a special year for the Festival Song Competition as it is Jamaica 60, our diamond jubilee, and so our potential entrants gave us feedback that they needed more time to improve their entries. Given that we are focused on accepting and promoting only the best, we have decided to extend the entry deadline to accommodate the enhancement of the entry product,” Hill said.

“We are looking for a memorable, festive and patriotic song that can tie the year-long Jamaica 60 Independence celebrations together and help to unite Jamaicans across the globe,” he added.

The competition, which is open to all Jamaicans 18 years and older, has cemented its place on the annual independence celebrations roster for Jamaicans, both at home and abroad.

Persons interested in entering the Jamaica Festival Song Competition may do so on the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) website, www.jcdc.gov.jm. They are required to upload an MP3 file format of their entry song, as well as an adjoining lyric sheet, to the website. There is a $1,000 entry fee. Additional information regarding the competition’s rules and guidelines can also be found on the JCDC’s website.

UPCOMING CELEBRATION

“We had an eclectic mix of memorable Festival Songs last year, covering all Jamaican genres from roots to reggae, to dancehall to mento, and even rocksteady; and amongst our many acknowledgements was a Grammy consideration for Best Reggae Album for the year 2021. Each year, this competition continues to grow, so we hope to have a similar catalogue showing off our musical talents for this upcoming celebration. But it is up to our nation’s most talented established and up-and-coming musicians to help make this a reality,” the committee chairman said.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, which was first staged in 1966, has helped to launch and advance the careers of some of Jamaica’s most acclaimed singers and songwriters. Winners of the competition have included Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Decker, Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, Stanley Beckford, Buju Banton and Stacious.