Alex Noralez has best Patriotic Song for 2008

As a means of fostering a spirit of patriotism, love of country, and to encourage the writing of original Belizean music, earlier this year the September Celebrations Committee put the challenge out to Belizeans to come up with original songs for the third annual Patriotic Song Competition. Thirteen entries were received and over the weekend a winner was crowned. Here’s how the competition went.

[Cassanova singing “Our Country Belize…”]

Patriotism was on full display at the House of Culture last Friday as the eight finalists in the Patriotic Song Competition took to the stage to perform their songs.

[Silas singing… “I love Belize…”]

Silas Sabal won two spots in the contest singing “I Love Belize” and “Belize It!”

[Silas Sabal singing “Belize it…”]

The judges were looking for lyrical content, audience appeal musical arrangement and vocal quality. But twenty percent of the singer’s score came from online votes cast on the September celebrations website.

[Elroy Martinez singing “Here we are today as proud Belizeans…”]

After taking all the factors into consideration, Alex Noralez was crowned the champ with his song “Sweet Belize.” Noralez won three thousand dollars and a trophy.

[Alex Noralez “Sweet Belize…”]

Second place and the two thousand dollar prize went to defending champion Joseph Lawrence for his song: “September in Belize.”

[Joe Lawrence singing “September in Belize…”]

Veteran Kriol singer Leela Vernon took home one thousand dollars for her third place finish. Her song was entitled “Be Proud to be a Belizean.”

[Leela Vernon singing “Be Proud to be a Belizean…”]

Last week also saw the conclusion of the Carnival Song Competition. Berne Velasquez took first place in that event with his song, Jump up. He was followed by Alex Noralez and Jude Castillo.