Deadline for two Foundation programs is Oct. 22
GRAMMY.com
The GRAMMY Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2008 GRAMMY Signature Schools and Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles programs.
GRAMMY Signature Schools recognizes music programs in need as well as top public high school music departments. The Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program gives music students an opportunity for an extraordinary musical experience. Both programs are approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Up to 40 public high schools will be recognized as GRAMMY Signature Schools, with each receiving a cash award ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Several school music programs will be selected as the recipient of the GRAMMY Signature School Enterprise Award, which recognizes efforts made by schools that are economically underserved with a grant of up to $10,000. This one-time only award requires completion of the Enterprise Award section of the GRAMMY Signature Schools application.
The top schools are designated GRAMMY Signature Schools Gold recipients. The best of the Gold recipients is chosen as the National GRAMMY Signature School. The National GRAMMY Signature School will receive up to $10,000, and the remaining Gold schools each will receive up to $5,000. The remaining GRAMMY Signature Schools recipients each will receive a grant award of $1,000 to benefit their music programs. In addition, three schools each will be awarded grants of $5,000 through Gibson Foundation to benefit their guitar and/or piano programs.
High school (public, private, parochial, home schooled, etc.) singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to audition for the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles. Selectees will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles, the host city of the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
Students will participate in high-profile GRAMMY Week performances and recording sessions and will attend the 50th Annual GRAMMY telecast on Feb. 10.
Musical directors for the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles are Justin DiCioccio (Manhattan School of Music) and Dr. Ron McCurdy (USC Thornton School of Music). Students also are eligible for college scholarships through the college incentive program (more than $2 million will be made available) offered by program partners Berklee College of Music, USC Thornton School of Music, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and Manhattan School of Music.
Entrants and their high school will receive a 90-day subscription to SmartMusic, the complete music practice system by MakeMusic Inc. Additionally, the school of each selectee will receive a professional cymbal courtesy of the Zildjian Company.
The GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program is sponsored by Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano with additional support from the International Association for Jazz Education, SmartMusic, Zildjian, Capitol Recording Studios and Guitar Center Hollywood.
Schools and students interested in participating in the 2008 GRAMMY Signature Schools and the 2008 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles programs can apply here. Completed applications must be submitted by Oct. 22, 2007.
