CARICOM hunts official song
Caribbean artistes and songwriters have a deadline of May 30 to enter the CARICOM Song Competition which carries a winner’s prize of US$10,000.
The competition is organised by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as part of activities to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
“Caricom is looking for an original song to be used at official functions, including the meetings of CARICOM heads of government and at all regional and international events,” the organisation explained in a statement.
According to the release, songs must reflect ‘a strong Caribbean cultural identity, lend itself to be played by various instruments such as strings, steel pan, keyboards, percussion and wood wind’.
The release continued: “It should also have a strong Caribbean cultural flavour and rhythm; and inspire a sense of regional pride and unity; lyrics in particular, should evoke a blessing and or celebrate history, traditions and struggles of our Caribbean”.
The winning song will be launched at the 34th regular meeting of the conference of heads of government of the Caribbean Community, scheduled for July in Trinidad and Tobago.
The runner-up will receive US$5,000 while third place earns US$2,500.
For many years, Trinidadian singer/songwriter David Rudder’s Rally Round The West Indies has been the official song for the West Indies cricket team.
CARICOM, however, has never had an official theme song.
Submission guidelines for the CARICOM Song Competition can be found at www.nichbelize.org.