SchoolJam USA

Do you work with teen musicians who have their own bands? Have you built a good relationship with your local school music programs–or would you like to? Then you need to know about SchoolJam USA!

NAMM’s latest teen music program, SchoolJam USA, will reach out to every junior high and high school music program in the country in search of the “Best Teen Band in America.” We’re giving bands from all musical genres the chance to win some great prizes, but more important, their school music programs will also funding to buy new gear–possibly at your store!

SchoolJam USA is based on the successful German SchoolJam program, created by MusikMedia Germany, publishers of Guitarre and Bass magazine. It’s now one of the country’s most popular annual music-making events, with many of the contestants continuing on to professional careers in music.

For the U.S. version, NAMM and MENC will select 10 bands from each of 5 regions across the country. Those 50 bands will then battle it out in an online semi-final round, each competing for one of 10 spots in the finals.

The finalist bands will then travel to the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif.,  to perform LIVE at the SchoolJam USA Finals. All 10 bands will receive money to spend in their local NAMM Retail Member store, as will their school music programs back home! Bands can buy new gear, music teachers can upgrade their programs’ equipment and they are all driven into NAMM Retail Member stores—a truly winning combination! 

This is a great opportunity to help promote and build good relationships with your local bands and school music programs. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Download the flyer and web banners below and use them to promote the SchoolJam USA program to teens in your community.
2. Become a fan on our Facebook site (www.facebook.com/schooljamusa) and follow our Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/schooljamusa).
3. Make sure your local middle school and high school music educators are aware of SchoolJam USA, and help them get the information to their students.
4. Offer some assistance to your local teen bands by providing performance and recording advice, suggestions, etc.

SchoolJam USA is the first-ever nationwide battle of the bands for teens, and everyone involved benefits—from the musicians to the schools to the music retailers. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help your local bands make it into the national spotlight!

If you would like additional information or promotional materials (free post cards and guitar picks), please e-mail Jennifer Paisley at jenniferp@namm.org.

For more information on SchoolJam USA, please visit www.schooljamusa.com.