by Pola Rosen The competition was tough, with arts schools and organizations throughout the country submitting applications to the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Broadcast Music Inc. Foundation (BMI) sponsored the competition and President Theodora Zavin graciously presided over the exclusive, elegant award ceremony at BMI headquarters in New York City.
Aimee Sims, “still in shock” over the award, titled her winning song, “A Place to Belong.” Her mother said it is an urban folksong about, “likes and dislikes and about all the things Aimee has experienced.” Aimee began writing religious and ragtime songs at the age of eight. She lived above a music studio, studied piano for thirteen years and after graduation from the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, started a band in her freshman year at Barnard College. Aimee’s current band is called “Rhythms of Aqua.” Family roots go far back in the music world. Her grandmother played the piano, an uncle is a composer and drummer who teaches in Boston, her mother plays the organ in a Staten Island church, and several family members compose. # Write to Aimee care of Education Update for information on how to get her award winning song. (Ed.)