NAMM Announces 48 Semi Finalists in 2nd Annual SchoolJam USA Teen Battle of the Bands Competition

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today revealed the names of the 48 semi-finalist teen bands who have advanced to the next level of the second annual SchoolJam USA teen battle of the bands competition, and it is encouraging the public to vote for their favorite one.

The voting phase to select the SchoolJam USA finalists opens to the public today, and runs through Nov. 30 , 2010. Fans, friends and family can cast online votes at www.schooljamusa.com. The eight top-voted bands, along with two wild card bands chosen by NAMM and MENC (The National Association for Music Education), will compete at the live finals held on Jan. 15, 2011, in Anaheim, Calif., at Downtown Disney during the world-famous NAMM Show. The 10 overall finalists will compete for the chance to earn the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA” along with a grand-prize trip to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany. The first-place band also wins a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 towards the purchase of new music gear, and an additional $5,000 for their school music program. The remaining finalists will also receive money to purchase new gear as well as funding for their respective school music programs.

Produced by NAMM and promotional sponsors, MENC, SchoolJam Germany, Music For All, Drum Corps International, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Vans Warped Tour and Channel One News, SchoolJam USA is a national competition that highlights quality musical teen talent and promotes active participation in school music programs.

"It is great to see how popular playing music has become among teens," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "NAMM is proud that SchoolJam USA has been so well received as a complement to the quality school music programs that NAMM and the industry have been advocating on behalf of for years."

Additionally, NAMM will host a first-ever national Student Field Reporter contest for SchoolJam USA in conjunction with the online voting phase. Created to engage non-musician students and highlight the various career options within the music industry, the field reporter contest will highlight five first-place interviews online at www.schooljamusa.com. One grand-prize student journalist will receive complimentary travel and accommodations to the SchoolJam USA finals in Anaheim, Calif. The grand prize-winner will fill the role of the Official SchoolJam USA Field Reporter and will have the opportunity to interview the top-10 finalist bands, judges and celebrity guests. He or she will also have the chance to attend the NAMM Show, the leading music products tradeshow in the world, and see his or her work professionally published. To view full SchoolJam USA competition rules and regulations, and for more information about the SchoolJam USA Student Field Reporter contest, visit www.schooljamusa.com. 

About SchoolJam
SchoolJam USA 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.

In the United States, NAMM has collaborated with MENC, Music For All and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to develop SchoolJam USA, following two successful years of SchoolJam Texas, produced by NAMM and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) in 2007 and 2008, in conjunction with the original SchoolJam in Germany.

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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