SchoolJam USA

The first year of NAMM’s teen music program, SchoolJam USA, was an enormous success! The second year of SchoolJam USA is all about growth. We want to reach every teen band in the country, and we need your help!

Here’s how:

1. Let Your Students Know About SchoolJam USA! Download the fliers and materials and pass them out to your music lesson students.

2. Request Additional Materials: We have a variety of materials to help you promote the program in-store. Just ask and we’ll send you guitar picks, carabiner keychains, posters, and postcards.

3. Communicate: Include SchoolJam USA program information in all of your customer communications. (See event ideas below)

4. Support Your Local Teen Musicians! Some bands may need advice as they get their applications ready, a place to practice or some recording advice—see if you can offer your store’s assistance.

5. Become an Early Adapter. By joining the SchoolJam USA community early, you can align your store with this popular program. Last year’s initiative had over 40,000 active participants and was heavily supported by music educators across the country.

To receive materials, please e-mail Jennifer Paisley at Jenniferp@namm.org. For more information on SchoolJam USA, please visit www.schooljamusa.com.

Downloads:

SchoolJam USA Press Release
SchoolJam USA General Information
SchoolJam USA Poster
SchoolJam USA Web Banners
 

Looking for more ways to get involved? Here are some ideas:

1. Hold a SchoolJam USA information meeting in your store and invite local teen musicians. Get to know the teens in your area and let them get to know you. Call, we’ll be happy to send program information.

2. Set up your store as a SchoolJam USA entry point. Give bands that enter the competition at your store some one-on-one help, offer them discounts on gear purchased the day they enter. The application is extremely simple, so shouldn’t take a lot of time on your part. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a USB drive for the kids to upload their files.

3. Hold a SchoolJam USA photo shoot. Set up a day for bands to come in and work with a local photographer to take a professional band photo. The cost should be minimal (maybe even a barter opportunity?) and it will give you a chance to get to know teen bands in your local area.

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.