Please see this information below from SchoolJam USA, brought to you by our friends at NAMM:

Third Annual SchoolJam USA Program to Award More Than $50,000 in Cash and Prizes to Teen Bands and Their Local School Music Programs

This battle of rising stars is produced by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), and its promotional sponsors NAfME: 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.

The Muncie Music Center Summer Symposium Scholarship was introduced at this year's inaugural camp at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. The merit-based scholarship was available to students who demonstrated superior musicianship, leadership skills, work ethic and earned at least a 3.0 grade point average. The award required a nomination from an area band director or music teacher, and each nominee was required to complete an essay about the importance of music education and inspiration.

"Music for All's (Summer Symposium) is such a wonderful pre-college experience for students," says Dave Helms, President of Muncie Music Center. We wanted to help get some students there who might not be able to go otherwise."

A full scholarship was awarded to Sandy An, who plays flute and violin for the Orchestra and Wind Ensemble at Pendleton Heights High School in Indiana. Sandy received high praise from her music director, Chris Taylor. "Sandy has been a strong musician who sets a great example for other students in her section," says Taylor. "She works with other flute students and has run sectionals."

Sandy's Symposium experience let her shine as she played in the first violin section, second chair, and performed a solo part from the musical selection "Gabriel's Oboe."

"Sandy was always eager to learn, and interacted perfectly with students and faculty," says Marianne Roszyk, orchestra clinician. "She has an enormous amount of talent, which was evident and shared in her solo playing."

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" remarks Sandy. "Because of the generosities in this world I, along with others, am able to further my path in what I love and am passionate about! I hope to enjoy another year at the Symposium with friends I have made, the leaders I highly respect, and with the friends and peers I will introduce to this absolutely AMAZING program."

Thanks to the generosity of MFA donors and grantors, 27 Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students were able to attend MFA's Summer Symposium presented by Yamaha through full tuition scholarships. IPS students enrolled in various music tracks including concert band, jazz band, orchestra, marching band, percussion and the drum major academy.

"Your scholarship has allowed me to have many great experiences during my week at Ball State from being Concertmaster of the concert band to meeting several great musicians, both students and teachers," says Chris Cox, clarinet player, Arsenal Technical High School. "It changed my life musically and socially."

The staff and faculty of IPS Instrumental Music Programs chose scholarship recipients based on their proven ability to be role models for all students and their efforts to help others receive positively life-changing experiences through music. In addition to their personal traits, students were required to be in an active, IPS sponsored ensemble and complete 10 volunteer hours or submit a deposit. This year's recipients performed over 160 volunteer hours for area agencies.

Gary Doherty, Music Director, Arsenal Technical High School, writes: "The kids from Tech had an amazing time at camp. They are brimming with enthusiasm, new-found skills and knowledge, and hopefully, bringing some of those positive vibes back to school with them in August!"

Recipients of 2011 IPS Music for All Summer Symposium Scholarships:

Broad Ripple Magnet High School: Jasmine Allen, Zoe Black, Ebone Griffin, Nigel Leitzell, Darron Marble, Ayanna McGill, Alexis Sanford, Kaylynne Tigner, and Austin Wills

Thomas Carr Howe High School: Dexter Rogers, Naomi Byrdo, and Charles Hawthorne

Crispus Attucks Medical High School: Damian Patrick, Cesar Santos, Chance Simon, Khari Taylor, Isaiah Thomas, Amanda Wilcher, and LaKeisha Wilson

Arsenal Technical High School: Eric Cervantes, Chris Cox, Steven Harris, Jennifer LaFara, Michael Snow, and Jamonikah Thompson

Honoring the life and work of L.J. Hancock (1952-2002), the L.J. Hancock scholarships benefit individual students with financial need who are interested in attending the Music for All Summer Symposium. This year, MFA awarded six L.J. Hancock Scholarships to deserving students who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to attend the Symposium.

One of the L.J. Hancock Scholarship recipients, Robert Welch, plans to turn his passion for music into a career. "The thought of doing what I love as a job is unreal and magical to me," Robert says.

Robert recently graduated from Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. For the last 10 years, he has been playing a variety of musical instruments, which include: violin, piano and organ. He has performed in concerts on all three instruments and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At this year's camp, Robert participated in the orchestra track where he was able to perform at the Thursday night concert with Uncommon Time, featuring Nick Kendall and Ranaan Meyer, members of Time for Three.

Robert plans to attend The University of Indianapolis this fall and study music. "Music is my life, and I plan to keep it that way," he says. "I absolutely love to hear it, learn about it and play it. My camp experience not only nurtures these ideas, but it encouraged it more than ever in me as well."

Other 2011 L.J. Hancock scholars included: Hunter Carter, Madisonville North Hopkins High School, KY; Shannon Graham, Columbus High School, NE; Kelly Krasuski, Liberty High School, MO; Kelsey Lake, Madisonville North Hopkins High School, KY; and Samantha Woolbright, Bloomington North High School, IN.

The SWAG Team is a special group of volunteers who give their talent and time at the MFA Summer Symposium to ensure the best possible experience for students and directors. The Inaugural SWAG Scholarship was awarded at the 2011 Summer Symposium to Fiona McGowan, a senior music education and German major at the University of Dayton. McGowan has served as a SWAG for the last three years and was a student participant at the 2006 Symposium. Anmol Mehra, SWAG alumnus, created the $1,000 scholarship to support an exceptional SWAG with college tuition. The scholarship recipient was chosen based on exemplary leadership skills, academic excellence, service to others and a commitment and passion for music and arts education.

Congratulations, Fiona and thank you, Anmol!

Learn more about the SWAG Team.

Learn more about how to order and save with this exclusive, limited-time offer.

This story first appeared in the MFA eNewsletter. You can get the latest news and offers from MFA, too. Sign up now.

Friday, August 12 • 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

If you're a college student currently majoring in music education (undergraduate or graduate level), you can attend the 2011 DCI World Championship Semifinals as our guest! You'll experience the event inside and out, beginning the day with a special educational workshop led by author and professional speaker Fran Kick. Following this workshop, you'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, experience drum corps in their warm-up setting and more, all before watching the Semifinals performances from reserved seating! This opportunity is also available to NAfME collegiate members and 2010 DCI alumni.

Space is limited and only offered on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP is required. Watch for information on MFA's Grand National Championships music education major event in upcoming MFA eNewsletters.

Download the flyer for more details and information on how to RSVP.

This story first appeared in the MFA eNewsletter. You can get the latest news and offers from MFA, too. Sign up now.

Nominations due Sept. 15

The Patrick John Hughes Parent/Booster Award annually recognizes the extraordinary commitment, dedication, support and sacrifice of music parents and boosters around the world by shining a spotlight on an individual who exemplifies these qualities. All current, active parents, boosters or supporters of any scholastic music education program are eligible for nomination (nominees do not have to be affiliated with Bands of America or Music for All participating bands). Former or inactive parents, boosters and supporters of Bands of America and Music for All participating programs may also be nominated. The 2011 recipient will be recognized during an awards ceremony at the BOA Grand National Championships in Indianapolis.

Learn more about the award and download the nomination form.

Watch video interview with the 2010 award recipient.