15 Teen Semi-Finalists Selected in 2nd SchoolJam Texas Battle of the Bands Competition

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) are encouraging consumers to vote for their favorite band in the 2nd SchoolJam Texas, battle of the bands.

The competition, started in the summer of 2007 as a pilot program modeled after the original SchoolJam teen competition in Germany, invites teen bands to participate in active making music that is different than the music played in a traditional in-school band setting. The SchoolJam Texas battle of the bands helps highlight the best and most talented teens in Texas, while supporting the bands’ school music education programs.

The top 15 bands, ranging in style from punk to jazz, have been chosen by NAMM and TMEA and will now move on to the online semi-finals, where people can vote for their favorite band. Votes can be cast once a day, and voters can enter to win a variety of prizes.  A complete listing of the top 15 bands can be found on www.schooljamtexas.com, where online voting begins November 21, 2008. The voting period will close on January 31.

“Teens are in charge of their own destiny in this portion of the competition, “ said Jennifer Paisley, NAMM market development project manager. “We have provided each of the 15 semi-finalists with fliers and marketing materials to help them encourage friends and family to vote for their band online. This is a great way for each band to get exposure and share their talent.”

The top six bands will be announced February 2, 2009, and invited to compete in a live SchoolJam Texas Battle of the Bands event held at the Parish, in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, February 28, 2009.

The winning band will receive $750 toward new musical equipment and could win a trip to perform at the SchoolJam Germany live finals in Frankfurt, Germany, at the MusikMesse trade fair. Their school music program will also receive $5,000 toward new musical equipment at their local NAMM Member music product retailer of choice.

The second place band will receive $500 toward new musical equipment and their school will receive $3,000 toward new musical equipment from their NAMM Member music products retailer of choice.

Each of the remaining bands and their schools will win cash prizes good for musical equipment at their local NAMM Member music product retailer of choice.

“The event was so successful in 2007 that we had to continue motivating teens to channel their constructive energy toward playing music—a hobby that is proven to benefit people in many ways throughout their lifetime,” said Morgan Ringwald, director of market development, NAMM. “NAMM feels it is also important that teenagers recognize there are many musical paths they can explore to express their individual creativity.”

About NAMM

NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About TMEA

Begun in 1920 as the Texas Band Teachers Association, the Texas Music Educators Association is an organization of over 10,000 school music educators dedicated to promoting excellence in music education. TMEA is committed fostering public support for music in schools, offering quality musical experiences for students, and providing professional growth opportunities for members.