THE Jamaica Children’s Gospel Song Competition is moving into its elimination round with four regional eliminations slated to be held across the island.

The eliminations, scheduled to take place over four consecutive Fridays, begin today. Organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the competition is on the hunt for Jamaica’s most talented junior gospel singers.

Eliminations for the western region, which covers Westmoreland, Hanover, St James and Trelawny, will be held today at 11:00 am at the Hollis Peter Lynch Hall, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Westgate in St James.

The northern region, which covers St Ann, St Mary and Portland, will see their elimination at St Mary’s Anglican Church Hall in Port Maria, St Mary, on Friday, February 17, beginning at 9:30 am.

The Central Region — covering St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon — will host their elimination on Friday, March 10 at 9:30 am at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall in Mandeville, Manchester.

The final elimination will be on Friday, March 24 for the eastern region. This covers St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew, and St Thomas and will be held at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God in St Andrew, beginning at 9:30 am.

“These four regional eliminations will select the most talented performers from across the island to compete in the competition’s semi-final round. Last year some remarkable talents were unearthed and we expect this year’s cream of the crop to be even more impressive,” said Stephen Davidson, director of marketing & public relations.

He said individuals 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 this year, 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. The judges give excellent feedback which entrants can use to better their craft and try again at another elimination,” he said.

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 islandwide.