DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ campaign activates teens and celebrity advocates to save music education programs
New York, NY (May 4, 2010)-DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation announce today the winners of their ‘Battle of the Bands’ campaign, which mobilized over 6,000 teens nationwide in the fight to keep music education in schools. Launched with spokesperson Nick Jonas, the campaign encouraged teens to submit videos to DoSomething.org about the importance of music in their lives.Nick Jonas was joined by other celebrity advocates including Death Cab for Cutie, Kristen Bell, BJ Novak, Kat Deluna, and America’s Best Dance Crew champions the Jabbawockeez, to share their stories about why music education matters and encourage participation.
A panel of expert judges including musician Vanessa Carlton and music industry representatives from VH1, EMI Music, CBS Radio, and Rolling Stone magazine evaluated the bands based on creativity, strength of argument, and overall participation to determine the winners."I feel honored to have been asked to participate,” explains Vanessa Carlton. “It was amazing to see such young people plugged in to the necessity of art. This campaign goes to show that if you are a passionate student, you can start to change the outside world from inside your classroom. I raise my glass to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, DoSomething.org, and to everyone who participated in Battle of the Bands."
DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will present the ‘Battle of the Bands’ video submissions to Senators and members of Congress at events on the Hill in May and June 2010.
The Grand Prize winner, Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County, will receive a $5000 grant for their school music program and is scheduled to perform before music executives at DoSomething.org’s star-studded annual event at the Apollo Theater on May 24th. Four additional bands were also selected to receive up to $1000 for their school music programs, concert tickets, Rock Band video games, Fender guitars, and more.
“Connecting VH1 Save The Music’s mission with Do Something.org’s expertise at the local grassroots level has proven to be a winning idea based on the amazing quantity and high quality of original entries received,” said Tom Calderone, President of VH1 and Chairman of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “We want to thank all of the wonderful people who helped with the 'Battle of the Bands' initiative including Nick Jonas and his launch PSA and Vanessa Carlton for her helpful judging skills. I can’t wait to see the grand prize winners from the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County from Port St. Lucie, Florida perform their original song at the Apollo on May 24th!”
THE WINNERS
Grand Prize Winner: Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Viking Band. Los Angeles, California
Hover. Owego, New York
Granada Hills Charter School. Northridge, California
Bear Creek High School. Stockton, California
Studies show that children who study music and the arts have higher grades, score better on standardized tests, have better attendance records and are more active in community affairs than other students.
Visit www.dosomething.org/bands to see all of the Battle of the Bands videos, including the winners.
About DoSomething.org: DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US that helps young people rock causes they care about. A driving force in creating a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Plug in at www.DoSomething.org.
About The Vh1 Save the Music Foundation: The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $45 million in new musical instruments to 1,700 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.4 million children. With the support of people across the country and the 2010-2011 Ambassador Class including: OneRepublic, Chrisette Michele, Nick Lachey, Mandy Moore, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Fall Out Boy, Colbie Caillat, it is The Foundation’s renewed commitment to donate one hundred million dollars worth of new musical instruments to ensure that even a greater number of students receive a comprehensive music education in the coming decade. Get involved and learn more at www.vh1savethemusic.com <>.< />
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