PHILIPSBURG--The search for a national anthem of St. Maarten is on and government is offering NAf. 18,000 in prizes for the best entry. The deadline for submissions is December 31.
The competition is said to be in keeping with Article 1, sub 3 of the Constitution, which states: ?The flag, the coat of arms and the national anthem of St. Maarten shall be established by national ordinance.?
The Department of Communication (DComm) press release announcing the competition gave no explanation as to why ?Oh, Sweet St. Martin Land? was not considered the national anthem and decreed as such.
The competition was announced on Sunday, on the eve of the first anniversary of country status within the Dutch Kingdom. It is open to all St. Maarten citizens living in the country or abroad. Entrants must be age 18 or older and have Dutch nationality.
The prizes are NAf. 9,000 each for lyrics and for melody. Government has decided on this division as collaboration by two people for an entry is possible. All participants will receive mementos.
Criteria for the anthem text are that it should show unity in diversity inherent in the culture of St. Maarten and express love for the country and its people. The lyrics must be in English and may consist of several stanzas. The melody must be original and catchy, and must not contain recognisable quotations from existing melodies.
English was chosen as the language for the anthem as it is spoken by the majority of people residing in the country.
Entries can be handed in to the Cabinet of the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports during working hours. Submissions will be acknowledged by the registrar of the cabinet.
Entries must consist of neatly typed text and a CD with the composition sung to the accompaniment of at least one of the following musical instruments: a keyboard, a stringed instrument or a traditional instrument with good tone and clarity, such as the steel pan. Clearly legible musical notation is desirable, but not compulsory. All the items should be submitted in duplicate.
The composer/writer of the entry chosen as the official national anthem will have to surrender his and/or her copyright to government. Any minor corrections/changes to be made to the selected entry will be done by the selection committee in consultation with the authors.
No details were given about the judge or judges for the competition.
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