Applications Now Available for Two Programs That Recognize
Excellence in Schools and Students; Deadline is Oct. 22

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2006) — The GRAMMY Foundation® is currently accepting applications for its 2007 GRAMMY Signature Schools^SM and Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles^SM programs. GRAMMY Signature Schools recognize the top U.S. public high schools that have made an outstanding commitment to music education and the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program gives music students an opportunity at an extraordinary musical experience. Both programs are approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

GRAMMY Signature Schools

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. The top schools are designated 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 $20,000, and the six 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, at least one school 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 $20,000. This one-time only award requires completion of both the GRAMMY Signature Schools application and the Enterprise Award application addendum. Additionally, through Gibson, three schools each will be awarded grants of $5,000 to benefit their guitar and/or piano programs.

Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles

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 49th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. Students will participate in high-profile GRAMMY Week performances and recording sessions and will attend the 49th Annual GRAMMY telecast on Sunday, Feb. 11. 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 available) offered by program partners Berklee College of Music, USC Thornton School of Music, New School University, and Manhattan School of Music.

This year, entrants and their high school will receive a 90-day subscription to SmartMusic!â, the complete music practice system by MakeMusic!. 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 2007 GRAMMY Signature Schools and the 2007 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles programs can apply at www.grammyintheschools.com. Completed applications need to be submitted by Oct. 22, 2006.

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy® to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com.