JAMAICA Gospel Song Competition semi-final is set for Ash Wednesday, February 18, at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston 10, commencing at 6:00 p.m.

This competition, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), will see the 35 semi-finalists from across the island compete for a top-10 spot.

After four highly competitive auditions and eliminations that were held across the four regions from February 3-6, 2015, the participants are now eager to move on to the next phase of making the finals and entering the studios to have their original song recorded. Entries were receive from across the island from persons who wanted to become the next JCDC Gospel Ambassador.

According to Stephen Davidson, director of marketing and public relations: “The JCDC Jamaica Gospel Song competition continues to provide opportunities, both locally and internationally, for a lot persons who have entered this competition even those who were not the winner on the final night.”

Davidson also stated that another aspect of the programme includes the finalists participating in an outreach programme; he is therefore encouraging the public to take non-perishable food, clothes, toys and books to the semifinal. He noted that the items collected will be donated to children in state- care facilities.

Along with the 35 semi-finalists, the evening will feature guest performances by Kimiela Issacs and Nickette Morgan, who were past finalists in Gospel Song Competition.

The Jamaica Gospel Song Competition since its inception in 1987 has since become an iconic presentation of indigenous gospel music in Jamaica and attracts over 200 artistes, producers and writers of original gospel music each year. This competition is also seen as another avenue for the unearthing and growth of writers and vocalists through training with the best within the industry.