BY TANYA BATSON-SAVAGE, Freelance Writer
Many persons thought Oshin Levy should have won first place in the 11 years and under soloist category in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) National Children's Gospel Song Festival Finals, held at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, on Sunday. Gavin Porshe was adjudged the winner. - WINSTON SILL
THE FOURTH STAGING of the National Children's Gospel Song Festival Finals, produced by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), began as a cool evening breeze whispered across the plains and the sky lowered its brow of dark clouds. The dark clouds across the sky seemed to be predicting the ire that would result at the end of the night.
The competition ended on a note of controversy on Sunday night as several patrons went home irate, believing justice needed her eyes tested in deciding the winners. Many members of the audience at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, expressed outrage that Oshin Levy had not been given first place in the 11 years and under soloist category.
The declared winner of the category, Gavin Porshe, a member of the Port Antonio Theatre Group, had performed His Eye is on the Sparrow, but after gaining some audience interest in the slow introduction to the song, had been unable to sustain their interest.
OUTRAGE ENSUED
Levy, on the other hand, had been a crowd favourite throughout her performance as the powerhouse of a voice coming from her tiny frame wowed the audience with My Redeemer Lives. As such, when the judges' determination failed to meet with the audience's expectation, outrage ensued.
When it was announced that Levy had received the second place the crowd erupted in "Nos", hands were vigorously waved in denial of the outcome and the audience began to leave in droves. As they left the venue they continued to air their grouse.
"A di likkle girl did fi win," yelled one particularly irate woman, in reference to Levy. "From she done sing di people dem choose ar as di winner," she declared.
"A true!" called another woman from across the parking lot. "Cause me did choose ar."
These two were not the only source of outrage. "Lawd everybody a quarrel," commented another woman, noting the extent of the discontent. All seemed satisfied that six year-old Tabrika Francis of Hemmingaye Preparatory, who with a combination of the cute factor and a strident voice, had earned third place.
"Mi tired a dem an dem favouritism," the first woman declared again. Explaining to friends and all who could hear, she declared that for the first time her enjoyment of the competition had been ruined as last year she had left quite happy at the outcome.
The competition had featured 21 performances in four categories: choirs, ensembles and two solo categories. Field services director, Delroy Gordon, noted that this year the number of entries had risen by 50 per cent over 2005, and that the number of entrants in the soloists category had been increased to nine instead of the usual six because of the quality of the entrants.
Indeed, the 15 years and under category almost erupted into controversy as well when Lenya Wilks was declared in second place for her performance of Alabaster Box. Fortunately, the declared winner of the segment, Sheldon Anderson, had also made a very strong impression with the audience with his performance of Cry for Change which showed he had skills both as a singer and DJ.
Anderson had taken the second place in last year's soloist category. Both Wilks and Anderson had also shown good performance skills working the stage to good effect. Jasmine Taylor earned third place with her performance of When You Believe.
The two additional categories were without controversy. In the choir category, Willowdene Preparatory earned the first place while second place went to Boundbrook Primary, and House of Praise took home the third spot. In the ensemble category Acapella Boyz (also from Willowdene Preparatory) earned first place, while second went to Harrison Vocals, and third place went to Anointed By Christ.
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