Songwriting Competition Under Way as Part of SevenDays 2017

Music is a universal language helping to build bridges and create harmony in a world often in discord.

As part of SevenDays 2017, the Faith Love & Song competition is now under way in Kansas City to reward young songwriters for penning compositions with lyrics that inspire acceptance of others regardless of racial, religious or cultural differences. The competition is open to those ages 14-21 who are asked to submit an original composition including both music and lyrics. Individuals or co-writers may enter compositions.

In its third year, the Faith Love & Song competition is sponsored by two local foundations-Faith Always Wins and RRACE (Racial and Religious Acceptance and Cultural Equality). The two foundations were established after the 2014 shootings outside local Jewish facilities. The song competition is part of SevenDays 2017-Make a Ripple, Change the World that will take place April 18-24 in and around the Greater Kansas City area. The mission of SevenDays is to promote interfaith dialogue by engaging all people in discovering our commonalities and overcoming evil with acts of kindness. SevenDays embraces the diversity among religions, races and cultures in our metropolitan area.

Faith Love & Song submissions will be taken until Feb. 10. A panel of judges from the music and entertainment industry will select up to 10 finalists, who will be notified by March 1. The 10 finalists will submit videos of their compositions; the public will vote on the videos via YouTube April 1-9. The top three winners will be announced at the opening program of SevenDays on Tuesday, April 18. The winner of the competition will receive the $5,000 RRACE Scholarship. Second place will receive a $2,500 scholarship and a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for third place.

Complete rules and details of the song competition are available on the SevenDays web site, www.givesevendays.org/competitions. Questions about the song competition should be sent to song@givesevendays.org

High school seniors are encouraged to enter the Make a Ripple, Change the World Scholarship competition. Students must perform an act of kindness that makes a ripple, and then write a 500-1,000-word essay about the experience. Five winners will be chosen to each receive a $1,000 scholarship for doing an act of kindness and demonstrating its impact on others. Application deadline for March 6; full details can be found at www.givesevendays.org

In addition to these competitions for students, SevenDays 2017 includes a week of activities focused on acts of kindness and a Peace Walk on Monday, April 24 at Union Station.

Each day has a special theme-Love, Discover, Others, Connect, Go, You and Onward. Suggested kindness activities and educational events for the community and more information about the themes, activities, sponsored events and the Peace Walk can be found on www.givesevendays.org.

While most events are free of charge and open to the public, the Peace Walk will have a $10 per person participation fee that includes receiving a SevenDays commemorative t-shirt. The Reat Griffin Underwood Memorial Foundation and The LaManno Family Foundation are equal beneficiaries of net proceeds and donations to continue the work. Donations are tax deductible.

For media inquiries, please contact Ruth Baum Bigus, (913) 707-7746 or at ruthwrite1@gmail.com.