LEFT: Rodney Davis (left) CEO of Cable & Wireless presents the cheque to Koyla Robinson, choir director of Oberlin High, and Jermaine Blake and his younger brother, Jerome at the finals of the All Together Sing 2006 competition. The finals and presentation ceremony was held at TVJ's studio on Sunday evening. Telivision presnter Dahlia Harris (second left) observes the presentation.  : RIGHT: Romain Virgo (left) and a fellow choir member lead the Aabuthnott Gallimore choir during a performance of Man was made to Serve Jah during the All Together Sing 2006 Finals on TVJ Sunday night. - Winston Sill photos

Defending champions, Oberlin High once again took home gold when they won the school choir competition, All Together Sing on Sunday evening.

The students of the rural St. Andrew high school said they were shocked by the win since they had not topped the voting for any of the weeks during the competition.

"Trust me if you ask me, I think it was a surprise," Koyla Robinson, director of the Oberlin Choir told THE STAR.

He added however that, "most of our supporters say they knew we would make it to the finals and they were waiting until that time to start voting for us."

The surge of voting was what sealed the deal for Oberlin who say they will be coming back stronger next year. "Just let the fans know expect bigger and better things," he added.

St. Ann-based Aabuthnott Gallimore High placed second in the competition. This made them happy, since it was their first year entering the competition. "I feel great and I want Jamaica to know that next year we are coming back stronger," Romaine Virgo, one of the lead singers of the choir said.

Rusea's High from Lucea, Hanover placed third for the second straight year and said they might take a break from the competition. "I am thinking of taking a year's break because I am tired and then just come back the following year," Celia Lewis-Reid, choir director said.

They were grateful for their placing, adding that they were disappointed because they had done all they could to get people to vote and it was not enough.

The show was a celebration of music starting with the song, Miracle, performed by all three choirs and led by Robinson, Dahlia Harris, the show's host and singer Tessanne Chin.

Each school choir then performed the judge's favourites. Oberlin was first doing This Magic Moment, which had the audience cheering.

Aabuthnott Gallimore was next doing Luciano's 'Man Was Made to Serve Jah'. The song led by Virgo also went over well with the audience. Rusea's High wrapped up the presentation with their re-mixed song called Rusea's school.

However it was soon time for the winners to be announced, and when it was done, it was with shouts, screams and tears that students and audience members greeted the results.

As winners Oberlin High received several prizes including the All Together Sing Champions Trophy, $200,000 cash, bmobile cellphones and gold medals .

Among Aabuthnott's prises were a silver trophy, silver medals and $100,000 cash prize. Rusea's as third place were not left out and received a third place trophy, bronze medals and $50,000 prize money.

- Francine Black

Students of Rusea's High school choir cry after they were announced third place winners of All Together Sing 2006 Finals held at TVJ on Sunday night.