Final Week to Enter NAMM’s SchoolJam USA Battle of the Teen Bands Competition

The deadline is drawing near for teen bands all across America to vie for the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA,” while raising funds for their schools’ music programs.

Teen musicians between the ages of 13 and 19, with the majority of the band members currently registered in a U.S. middle or high school, are encouraged to enter by Oct. 21, 2011. Teen bands participating in SchoolJam USA may perform any genre of music as long as the song is original content or designated as “public domain.” For a full list of competition rules and regulations, and for information on how to enter, visit www.schooljamusa.com.

The third annual competition is produced by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), and its promotional sponsors the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), School of Rock, SchoolJam Germany, Music For All, TakeLessons.com, Drum Corps International, In Tune Monthly, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Vans Warped Tour and Channel One News.

After an online public vote and review by a panel of music industry judges, eight finalist bands will be chosen to take the stage live on Jan. 21, 2012 in Anaheim, Calif. during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show. The finalists will perform in the Downtown Disney District for hundreds of fans and a panel of judges comprised of music professionals to claim the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA.” The grand-prize winning band will receive a trip of a lifetime to perform at the original SchoolJam Festival in Frankfurt, Germany, along with a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 towards the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music programs.

SchoolJam is an established music initiative, originally developed by MM MusikMedia Germany to promote popular and rock music in schools throughout Germany. The program has provided thousands of music-loving young adults with the opportunity to perform and network with their peers, increasing their love for playing music and encouraging them to become active musicians.

NAMM-sponsored research has shown the following benefits for kids and teens who play an instrument:

• School music education programs help students achieve in other academic subjects such as math, science and reading

• The vast majority of principals agree that participation in music education encourages and motivates students to stay in school

• Teens see music as their “social glue” and as a bridge for building acceptance and tolerance for people of different ages and cultural backgrounds

• Music-making helps teens release or control emotions, cope with difficult situations, and teaches self discipline

• Making music provides teens with freedom to be themselves; to be different

• Teens associate playing music with music literacy, listening skills, motor ability, eye-hand coordination and heightened intellectual capabilities

• Music provides opportunities in school for engagement as performers, composers and intelligent listeners

SchoolJam USA and In Tune Monthly magazine are also hosting a Field Reporter Contest. Do you know an aspiring teen field reporter who wants to attend the SchoolJam USA finals in Anaheim, Calif. and display his/her journalistic talents? Find out more information to enter the competition before Nov. 1, 2011 at www.schooljamusa.com or www.intunemonthly.com.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM is the sponsor of the Wanna Play? campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to get more people connected with the proven benefits of playing music. For more information about Wanna Play?, please visit www.wannaplaymusic.com. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.

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