ST JAMES, Jamaica — Eleven Jamaican marching bands competed in Marching Band explosion last Sunday, a competition to see who could best play the official anthem of the Olympics.

The Catherine Hall Sports Complex was awash with music for hours as bands, each totalling over 40 members from several parishes across the island, tried their hand at the anthem composed by Greek opera titan, Spyridon Samaras, with lyrics by Greek poet Kostis Palamas.

The event was staged by the St James Chapter of the Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ) and sponsored by the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).

Eagle Star band won an award of $150,000 for the best rendition of the Olympic anthem and it also copped the award, for a similar amount, for being the best dressed band.

The award for the Most Disciplined band was given to Eastern Rangers which received $100,000 while the Best Band Leader/Performer award of $150,000 went to Waterhouse Steppers.

Each Band had received a grant of $100,000 to participate and assist in defraying rehearsal, uniform and equipment costs, plus $100,000.00 for transportation.

JOA President, Christopher Samuda, was impressed with the diversity of talent, poise and discipline of Jamaica’s youth and their renditions of the anthem.

“An inspiring experience hearing the Olympic anthem being played eleven times with gusto and dexterity by Jamaica’s youth. They did justice to the universal anthem which is a powerful call to action, friendship, brotherhood, respect, courage, unity and victory. Our youth gave us lessons and I am a proud man tonight,” Samuda said.

Vice President of the St James Chapter of the LMAJ, former acting Custos of St James, Claudette Bryan, was the driving force behind the event.

“It was an eye opener and a moment of exposure to the people that there exists an Olympic Anthem and that the JOA is not just about competitive sports but has a deeper concern for the welfare of all Jamaicans in many sectors of the society. In supporting Jamaica’s marching bands, which have been deep-rooted in the sustenance and development of at-risk, unattached and vulnerable youth and persons in communities plagued with violence and inequality, the JOA is setting an example,” said Bryan.

The LMAJ chapter is planning to invite Caribbean bands to participate in the event next year.