Third Annual Brooklyn SINGS! Raises $15K For Cancer Charity

The Third Annual Brooklyn SINGS! competition — a friendly musical contest between Madison, Midwood and Murrow high schools — raised $15,000 this year for Relay for Life, a fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society, according to a press release from the Department of Education (DOE).

Midwood High School came out victorious at the event, breaking Edward R. Murrow’s two-year win streak in the competition. The show took place at James Madison High School Saturday evening.

SING! has become a Brooklyn tradition since it was founded in 1947 by Midwood High School teacher Bella Tillis. It allows students to showcase their creativity by taking over every aspect of the show, including choreography, set design, performing, behind-the-scenes work, and more. Students at the three high schools compete against each other to make it to the Inter-SING competition, held this weekend, where they represent their school.

The effort has been embraced by the DOE. This year, schools were awarded grants to bring SING! to their students. Chancellor Carmen Fariña attended the event on Saturday, according to the DOE.

BRIC TV has filmed Brooklyn SINGS! for the last two years, and was nominated for an Emmy in the “Teen: Program/Special” category for their broadcast of last year’s show, according to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

The event is sponsored by the Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, and Marine Park Relay for Life, which receives proceeds from the program to support the American Cancer Society. Over the two previous years, Inter-Sing! has raised $40,000 for the charity, according to the DOE.

James Madison High School Principal Jodie Cohen said that Inter-SING! is an “incredible opportunity for almost 12,000 students from 3 of the largest comprehensive high schools in New York City to come together to raise funds for such a meaningful cause,” according to a DOE press release.