Singing for Change

Image The audience verged on tears, listened with captivated ears, and then boogied to the music May 25 as Tone Cluster, "quite a queer choir," joined voices with two Ottawa high schools to present "Words: no more bullying. it has to end now."

The mixed GLBTQ/ straight choir joined Nepean High School Choir and Treble Threat, a show choir from St. Peter Catholic High School, at Library and Archives Canada to present a collection of songs about the harms of bullying and the importance of acceptance. The show also paid tribute to youth whose suicides have been linked to a history of bullying.

The repertoire ranged from serious and sombre to lively and empowering, including a rendition of Lady Gaga's popular hit single "Born This Way."

Centretown News spoke with organizers about the making of the concert and why they felt connected to its subject matter.