After the great talents were showcased at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and Grace Tropical Rhythms National Children’s Gospel Song Competition grand finals, on March 28, 2010, TEENage strongly supports the notion that gospel music competitions really shouldn’t be held inside of church buildings.

For seven years, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, a brilliant team of people, has been making much of a splash in the mainstream music fraternity with the national children’s gospel competition. This year saw over 100 youths hailing from different church groups, preparatory, primary, basic and high schools travelling from all over the island to showcase their talents.

The competition started on time with the singing of the national anthem, led by Phillip Holmes from the Kencot Seventh-day Adventist Church. The patrons were treated to different categories from age groups ranging from six to ten years (Junior) and 11 to 15 years (Intermediate). Such categories included the choir, ensemble and the solo category. The junior category was up first, and starting things off were the choirs, which included four entrants from the Willowdene Children’s Choir, Boulevard Baptist Church, Stella Maris Preparatory School and the Hagley Park Preparatory School.

Some brought their A games, while others failed to deliver. The ensemble category followed with only two entrants coming from the charming Bright Beginnings Educational Centre out of St Catherine and the adorable Singing Jewels from St James. Both battled with their voices leaving the crowd wanting more. The last category in the junior category was the solo category, and this was one of the categories that most patrons were waiting to see. Four entrants including Roniel Knight from Linstead Primary and Junior High, veteran in this category Tabrika Francis from the Hemmingay Preparatory School, Alex Anderson from the Bright Beginnings Educational Centre and Jamielle Gillman from Manchester made it to the finals.

It was time for the intermediate category and the Papine High School kicked this off. They somehow were lacking in terms of presentation and harmony, but they gave a fair performance with the song called Blessed. Iona High school from St Mary came after, but also failed to deliver a great performance with their rendition of the song Good Christian. Other performances in this category came from power house Titchfield High School from Portland with the song If I tell God; and the thrillers of the night, Herbert Morrison High School from St James with the song Glory Hallelujah to the Risen King.

After the intermission the patrons were yet again treated to a short performance from a group of students South Africa with a medley of praise and worship songs. This only got the patrons ready and re-energised for the ensemble category which was up next.

The category had four entrants coming from the Boys of Valour, Herbert Morrison Technical, The Dynamics from the Bog Walk High School and the Papine High School. This category was then followed by the last and most well-anticipated category of the night, the solo category. Four entrants were entered in this category: Malika James, Lenroy Lewin, Latifah Reid and Akeem Beezer. All graced the stage with powerful and heart-rending performances.

As the night drew to a close, it was time for the special guest, the Martins Heritage to hit the stage. Though several of the patrons present at the competition questioned JCDC’s choice of this year’s guest performer for such an event like this, other patrons still enjoyed and were blessed by the family’s performance. They sang songs such as their hit song His Blood Will Carry Me, All We Ask by Donnie McClurkin, Ordinary Servant among other favourites.

Following their performance, it was now time for the winners to be announced. In the junior choir category, second place went to the Stella Maris Preparatory School. They walked away with GraceKennedy Company Limited cash incentive of $20,000 along with twenty Grace packages, as well as the Excelsior trophy and cash incentive of $15,000. The winning prize went to the Hagley Park Preparatory School.

They won for themselves 20 Grace packages, a trophy, $40,000 cash incentive and $20,000 courtesy of Excelsior. In the Intermediate choir category, Herbert Morrison Technical High School was proclaimed the winners. They, too, went home with top prizes from title sponsors GraceKennedy and Excelsior. Second place went to Titchfield High School who all walked away with second prizes from GraceKennedy and Excelsior.

In the ensemble junior category, Bright Beginnings Educational Centre had to settle for second, while the Singing Jewels sang their way to victory. They walked home with winning prizes from GraceKennedy including a trophy, four Grace packages, and $30,000 as well as five gift baskets courtesy of Sunshine Snacks and $20,000 cash incentive from Excelsior.

For the intermediate category, the colourful Boys of Valour were the runner-ups, winning cash incentives from GraceKennedy and Yummy Bakery as well as gift baskets from Excelsior and a trophy from Tastee Cheese. The winning group was the talented and melodious Papine High School with the song You Are My Joy by Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing.

They went home with $30,000 gift packages and a trophy from GraceKennedy and other prizes from Excelsior. In the solo junior and intermediate categories, Jamielle Gilman from Manchester with the song Stand Still and Malika James with the song Encourage Yourself from Kingston and St Andrew respectively walked away with the well deserving winning prize.

After this was announced, it was the first in a long time that the patrons all agreed with the judges pick for the winners in this category. They each walked home with Grace trophies, gift packages and cash incentives of $25,000, as well as $15,000 courtesy of Yummy Bakery, Tastee Cheese Baskets, and a one-year subscription devotionals courtesy of Reconciliation Ministries International.

The runner-ups from the junior and intermediate category respectively went to Alex Anderson from Bright Beginnings Educational Centre with his rendition of the Destiny Child gospel medley and jazzy singer Lenroy Lewin from the Bog Walk High School with his rendition of Just a Closer Walk with thee done in jazz.

Both went home with prizes from Tastee Cheese and GraceKennedy. Other prizes included gold medals that were awarded to the 22 finalists and the teacher/coach award for first-place winners.