The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC) held a national sport and singing contest in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its commission for Culture and Olympic Education.
CIOC Vice President Lori Powell and first place winner Harmony Scott. Photo: Submitted |
The objective of the contest was to restore an active synergy between the worlds of music and sport at the national and international level.
Contestants were challenged to compose their own song with original lyrics, music and choreography of the performance inspired by the theme of ‘Sport and Olympism’. The contest was open to Caymanian national performers. There was no age limit and a group could consist of up to twelve people.
Each country wishing to participate was asked to hold a national contest. The winner of this phase will have their entry submitted via the National Olympic Committee (NOC) to the international phase of the contest in Switzerland via video DVD. The top three in the international contest will receive US$15,000.00, US$10,000.00 and US$5,000.00 respectively and diplomas for five runners-up will also be awarded. The overall international winner will also go on to perform their entry at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The IOC provided a subsidy of US$3000.00 to assist each NOC with the contest organisation expenses. In order to avoid excessive costs it was decided that a live contest would not be done in the Cayman Islands, so entries were received on sound DVD. This allowed the subsidy to be used for prize money only.
The CIOC received assistance with organising this contest from local musician Dave Martins. Entries were sought through local newspaper advertisements, CITN Daybreak coverage and radio announcements in January. The Cayman Islands Music Association also assisted with distributing entry forms. All entries were received by March 28 on sound DVD, and the judging took place on March 31 2008.
CIOC is grateful to Dave Martins as well as to the two judges Christoph Barnett and Clive Rosteing, who gave their professional input.
The winners of the National phase of the contest are:
First – US$1500.00
A group called Harmony with their song ‘Watchum Go’. This group consists of vocalist Harmony Scott and her Dad Royce Scott on base guitar as well as back-up drummer and keyboard. Harmony performs regularly at Sapphire Lounge on Saturday evening in Grand Cayman and has a beautiful voice which will represent Cayman well in the International phase of the contest.
Second – US$1000.00
George General wrote a rap song with an electronic back-up recording entitled ‘R U Ready?’ This was George’s first entry in a competition involving music, though he writes music as a hobby. George’s interest was sparked by the advertisement in the newspapers and he decided to research the history of the Olympics and present it in a rap version that would appeal to his age group worldwide. Although George feels he did not have the resources to provide a good quality sound recording, the result was very expressive and uplifting.
Third – US$500.00
Juliet Austin submitted a solo entitled ‘I Rise’ accompanying herself on guitar. Juliet wrote this song ‘as a sort of anthem to possibility’ which comes across quite strongly in the lyrics. Juliet says ‘I Rise is all about making one’s dreams a reality … just casting off all self-doubt and going for it!’ She read a local article where Brett Fraser talked about the pride he felt in representing his country and that inspired the song.
CIOC congratulates all the winners and expresses thanks to all those who entered the National contest.
CIOC has now helped Harmony to re-record their song on video DVD for entry to the international phase of the contest, and wishes them the best of luck with this opportunity to represent the Cayman Islands.
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