Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Belize National Celebrations Commission is asking for songs for the 2024 National Song Competition.

NATIONAL SONG COMPETITION 2024!
🏆 🇧🇿
🔹️ Open to Belizean musicians age 18 and up.
🔹️Entries must be original compositions not previously released.
🔹️ Submit up to 3 entries, in mp3 format.
🔹️Entries may be in any genre of music, on any theme or topic but should also reflect Belizean culture, intentity, experiences etc.
Email for full guidelines with competition format, criteria, entry process, rules and regulations: icaprogramofficer1@nichbelize.org
or call 227-2110

The 2023 National Song Competition has a $20,000 grand prize!  Who's going to try to write the winning song?

'For full guidelines:
email: icaprogramofficer1@nichbelize.org
or call: +501 227-2110'

The September Celebrations Committee is calling for submissions for the 2019 National Song Competition.  The deadline for song submissions is July 12th.  

"Finals Saturday, August 10th in Corozal Town @ 8PM!"

The 2018 National Song Competition will be held at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex on Saturday, August 18th. 

"The twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena is proud to be the host of this year's National Song Competition which will be held at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex on August 18th, 2018. You are all invited to come witness Belizean singers from all over the country compete for big cash prizes! Entrance is free so make it a date and hope to see you there as it all starts at 8p.m. sharp!"

Video of the day.  Jerome Crawford performing his Faces of Belize song for the 2017 National Song Competition.

"Jerome Crawford National Song Competition 2017 Live Performance 'Faces of Belize'"

Congratulations to the 3 winners in the Top Song Competition!  Carnival winner, Sharon Martinez, Patriotic winner, Nello Player, and Junior winner, Tara G.  

See them on youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2iYm1_djQ

They've extended the deadline for entries for the National Song Competition.  You now have until August 10th.  You could win up to $4000.  The September Celebrations are right around the corner.  Call 227-2110 for more information.  Good luck!

http://www.mynationalsong.bz

Video of the day.  Congratulations, Marlyn Vansen, on winning the 2023 National Song Competition with her song B E L I Z E last night.

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2019 Song Competition!  Huston Alvarez, pictured above, proves the need of a new category: Singing while Levitating.  Some of the winners were from Cayo: Dennis Requena and Elizabeth Garbutt.  The songs can be heart on the NICH website.  Will Moreno captured this amazing shot.  

Congratulations to all the winners of the National Song Competition.  It was held here in Cayo this year.  You can hear the songs at http://www.mynationalsong.bz/.

The Belize Song category featured original songs which reflect Belizean identity, flavour, rhythm and also aims to inspire a sense of national pride and unity. The artists were invited to present songs which evoke a blessing or celebrate the history, traditions, and diversity of the Belizean Culture. The Belize Song winners for 2018 are:
Winner: Cecil “Cocono Bwai” Jenkins Jr., “My Sweet Belize”
Runner Up: Aurlyn Flores, “Belize Da Fu Wi”
People’s Choice: Dennis Requena, “My Belize”
Break Out Artist: Anika Perez, “We Must Defend, 8867”

The Senior Carnival Song category featured original songs which are intended for use during this year's September Celebrations, throughout the year and for years to come. The winners for the Carnival Song segment of the competition are:
Winner: Ernestine Carballo, “I Love You Soca”
Runner Up: Leslie “Bastic” Jenkins, “Belize Dah Fi We Now and Forever”
People’s Choice: Leslie “Bastic” Jenkins, “Belize Dah Fi We Now and Forever”
Break Out Artist: Deidre Grinage, “Belizean Wine”

In the Junior Belize Song Category, Mr. Huston Alvarez Jr., from the Stann Creek district, won first place with his song “Our Belize”. Brishel Magdaleno and Shakira Welcome, representing the Cayo District, won second place with their submission “Belize Da Fu We”. The performer of “Soca Warrior”, Mr. Amiri “Prince” Gentle, showcased some of the talent that can be found in the Toledo District and was awarded a special prize of $2,500.00 for his contribution to this year’s competition.

Songs can be heard on WWW.MYNATIONALSONG.BZ and videos of the winning performances will be uploaded during the week."

This year's National Song Competition will be on August 13th.  If you have a patriotic song, submit it by July 22nd. 

Will Moreno put together a great highlight video of the National Song Competition.  Nello Player, who has won the last two years, is in there at around 3:00.  Congratulations to all the winners!

"The Belize National Song Competition is an event held every year kicking off the mood for the September Celebrations.  It is an event planned by NICH (National Institute of Culture and History), September Celebrations Commission and sponsored by Atlantic International Bank.  The event gives Belizean artists an opportunity to showcase new lyrics and original material built around the September Celebrations."