Top 10 Teen Bands Announced in First SchoolJam USA Live Music Competition

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), has announced the 10 qualifying bands that received the most public votes in the first-ever SchoolJam USA competition. A national teen 'battle of the bands' that rewards both aspiring music makers and their respective school music programs, SchoolJam USA features the best amateur bands of teen musicians between the ages of 13 and 18. This year's top teen finalists hail from more than 20 U.S. cities, including Austin, Texas, St. Louis, Mo. and Washington, D.C.

The top 10 bands will be invited to perform live at the first-ever SchoolJam USA finals, held at the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 16, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reinforcing the competition's mission to encourage active music making among teenagers, all of the 10 finalist bands will receive prize money to purchase new gear for their band from a local NAMM Member music products retailer of their choice, as well as additional money for their school music programs. The winning band will also travel to Europe next March to perform at the 2010 SchoolJam Germany finals in Frankfurt.

The SchoolJam USA top 10 band finalists are (in alphabetical order):

• Adrenaline, Burlington, Conn.
• Aftermath, Austin, Texas
• Almost Chaos, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Chasing the Skyline, Carol Stream, Ill.
• Crimson Fire, Ridgefield, N.J.
• Dance Over Anaheim, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• High Tide, Sharon, Mass.
• Jaci and Those Guys, Rowlett, Texas
• Power Pirate, Washington D.C.
• The Switchfits, St. Louis, Mo.

"SchoolJam USA provides a great avenue for teens to express their passion for music and dedication to keeping music education programs a part of their schools," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. "Teen bands across the country are helping to create awareness for the importance of music making in their lives. SchoolJam USA lets teens showcase their music making talents in a unique competition that gets everyone--family, friends and schools--involved in a positive way."

After launching in late summer 2009, SchoolJamUSA.com received more than 200 applications from middle and high school students eager to showcase their talent and earn much-needed support for their school's music programs. Based on open voting from community members, parents, teachers, friends, family and friends on the site, 10 bands from across the country received the top voting positions, which qualified them to move into the final round of the SchoolJam USA competition.

SchoolJam is an established music initiative, originally developed by 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. The SchoolJam USA competition is sponsored by NAMM, the not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, and its promotional partners SchoolJam, MENC: the National Association for Music Education, Music For All, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and InTune Monthly magazine.