Public Online Voting for Third Annual SchoolJam USA Battle of the Teen Bands Competition Begins Today

CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced that 117 teen bands have advanced to the next level of the third annual SchoolJam USA battle of the teen bands competition, and is encouraging the public to vote online for their favorite one at www.schooljamusa.com.

Fans, friends and family can cast their votes daily online at www.schooljamusa.com, now through Nov. 30, 2011. The top eight bands, chosen by the public vote and a panel of music industry judges, will be invited to compete at the live finals event held on Jan. 21, 2012, in Anaheim, Calif., at Downtown Disney during the world-famous NAMM Show. The finalists then take the stage for the title of "Best Teen Band in the USA" and a grand-prize trip to perform at the original SchoolJam festival in Frankfurt, Germany. The winning band will also win a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, $1,000 towards the purchase of new musical 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.

The third annual competition is produced by NAMM and its promotional partners 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.

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.

SOURCE National Association of Music Merchants