Raising voices to envision a more welcoming world
Stop the Hate: Youth Sing Out is a classroom-based group competition for 6th-12th grade classes provided by the Maltz Museum and ROOTS of American Music. It’s a no-cost way to bring educational enrichment to your classroom and provide opportunities for education grants. It’s easy—there are only a few steps to get involved.
Working with a teaching artist, the class collaboratively writes an original song. This song becomes the class’s contest submission and is scored by a panel of music, theatre and writing experts. Winning classrooms receive education grants for their schools.
Students participate in a five-session workshop where they reflect on the importance of empathy, respect and taking action when others are treated unfairly. Through guided conversation and creative activities, they explore real-life instances such as mistreatment and bullying, whether personally experienced, witnessed or learned about. Together, students find ways to connect stories and collaborate on positive ways to respond. As a final project, each class writes and performs an original song that expresses their collective message of hope and change.
Step 1: Complete the Maltz Museum’s Workshop Interest Form.
Step 2: Coordinate with a ROOTS of American Music staff member to schedule workshop sessions.
Step 3: Before the first workshop:
Step 4: Participate in workshop sessions where students:
Step 5: Complete a brief program evaluation and student reflection activity.
Interested in a Workshop?
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Participating in Stop the Hate Youth Sing Out gives students, teachers and schools a chance to speak out against exclusion and bullying. Winners in middle and high school categories receive education grants:
In addition to awarding classes and students, the Maltz Museum and ROOTS present a $1,000 cash prize to Stop the Hate Teacher of the Year honoring their commitment to excellence in education.
Educators in Northeast Ohio committed to enriching education at community schools are eligible to apply for a Stop the Hate Educational Grant of $1,400. Applications are open to all educators within Stop the Hate’s 15-county reach. For more information or questions, please contact education@mmjh.org.
Apply now for the 2025-26 Stop the Hate Educational Grant – Deadline to submit is 12/5/2025!
Yes, participation in Youth Speak Out is open to Northeast Ohio students and schools, regardless of workshop participation.
No, all song submissions must be completed as a class through our songwriting workshops in partnership with ROOTS of American Music.
Participation in an in-person tour at the Maltz Museum is vital to a successful workshop experience. This can be scheduled before, during or after the workshop. Plus, workshop participants are eligible to receive one free tour or session. Please contact our team at tours@mmjh.org or 216-593-0581 to learn more about in-person and virtual tour offerings.
Classes can choose to meet virtually due to distance or transportation limitations.
The minimum class size for participation is 15 students. Larger classes may be divided into groups with more than one teaching artist. Scheduling accommodations are also available.
All song lyrics are scored by a cohort of volunteer readers from across the country. Each entry is anonymous and is scored three times. The highest-scoring middle and high school entries receive a final round of scoring by a select group of music, theater and writing experts. The top two entries in middle school and the top two entries in high school are awarded educational grants.
Yes, a list of supplemental, educational and mental health resources is available for students and classrooms.
We recommend signing up for a workshop as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Workshop bookings are based on availability. Both songwriting and writing workshops occur between September and December.
To start the workshop booking process, please complete this brief inquiry form.
Youth Sing Out aligns with:
Contact our Education team at education@mmjh.org, 216-593-0593, or complete the contact form.