Lakewood School Choirs Earn $5,000 In Original Song Competition

LAKEWOOD, OH — Garfield Middle School choirs earned $5,000 during the Stop the Hate: Youth Sing Out at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The 6th and 7th grade choirs tied for first place for their original songs, winning the prize money.

“I have participated in this event with my choirs for the last five years. It has been a great experience for the students," director Lisa Richards said.

Middle school students from across Northeast Ohio composed original songs and then performed them during the program. The event was held Dec. 12, the result of a collaboration between the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and Roots of American Music (ROAM).

The winning choirs will perform again on March 14, 2019 at the Cleveland Museum of Art during the Stop the Hate awards ceremony.

The program's songs were about bullying, the refugee crisis, racism, drug abuse, and other themes. Garfield had the aid of guest composer Brendt Kirby. Here are the lyrics to the winning tunes:

Turn Around: Garfield 6th Grade Choir & artist Brendt Kirby
Intro:

Look at everything you have done
You have to know you’re not the only one
Think of things that give you joy
We have to stand up. be strong, then turn around

Chorus:

Turn around, let our world bring you to the light
Turn around (part 2)
Turn around, let our world bring you to the light

Verse 1:

It’s a decision to do the right thing
You can be someone to look up to
Helping people who are in need
You can start over, and turn around (part 2)

(Chorus)

Verse 2:

If you feel like you don’t have a voice
You need to know that you have a choice
Sometimes we need to talk our feelings out
We have to stand up for others, and turn around

(Chorus)

Bridge:

Look at everything you have done
You have to know you’re not the only one
Think of things that give you joy
We have to stand up. Be strong
Then turn around

Chorus:

Turn around, let our world bring you to the light
Turn around (part 2)
Turn around, let our world bring you to the light
Turn around

Guns down: Garfield 7th Grade Choir and artist Brendt Kirby

Verse 1:
Something happens and you don’t know what to do
Feeling angry, need someone to talk to
You’re not alone, I’m standing right here
Don’t be, controlled by your fear

Chorus:
Guns down, Guns down
We don’t need them around
We don’t want to hear the sound
We gotta stop! And put our guns down

Verse 2:
We should feel safe, to go to church, and pray
Places we go to everyday
Hurtful people out on the street
Look for warnings in what others tweet

(Chorus)

Bridge:
That could have been me standing there
We need more than thoughts and prayers

Verse 3:
People die. It’s no longer pretend
Scars are there of our families and friends
There are laws we need to amend
Bring justice to those who cannot defend

(Chorus)
We gotta stop
And put our guns down (3x)

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch