NAMM's Search for 'Best Teen Band in the USA' Begins Today

Just in time for back-to-school, teen bands have the chance to showcase their talent by entering the third annual national SchoolJam USA teen battle of the bands. Beginning today, middle and high school teens, who have a passion for music and want to help promote the significance of their schools’ music programs, can enter the SchoolJam USA competition at www.schooljamusa.com.

This battle of rising stars is produced by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), and its promotional sponsors MENC: the National Association for Music Education, 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. The competition highlights quality musical teen talent, gathers students to support music and the arts, provides funding for school music programs, and promotes active participation in school music programs.

Unsigned teen musicians between the ages of 13 and 19, with the majority of band members currently registered in a U.S. middle or high school are eligible to participate and apply from Aug. 1 to Oct. 21, 2011. Bands can perform any genre of music but the song must be original content or designated as “public domain.” To view full competition rules and regulations, and for information about how to apply, visit www.schooljamusa.com.

From Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 2011, participating bands’ submissions will be posted on the SchoolJam USA website, where online voting will be open to the public. Eight finalist bands will be chosen by a combination of the public vote and by a panel of musical professionals. On Jan. 21, during the weekend of the world-famous NAMM Show, the top-ranking eight finalists will take the big stage in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., and perform live in front of a panel of professional judges and hundreds of fans for the chance to take the title of “Best Teen Band in the USA.” The winning band will walk away with the grand prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as receive a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for their school music programs.

“NAMM is looking forward to crowning the next SchoolJam USA champion at our show in Anaheim,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “So right now, we encourage all of the teen bands out there to take their shot at greatness by entering this competition and adding recognition to the list of benefits they get from playing music.”

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.

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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