about/faqs

Entering SchoolJam USA

Q: How much does it cost for my band to participate?
A: There is no entry fee for bands to participate. The only costs that are involved are travel expenses to Anaheim, California, if your band advances to the finals. However, we have built-in fundraising tools to help with that.

Q: Does SchoolJam USA retain the rights to my music?
A: No. You keep all the rights to your music. What you provide to us is a royalty-free license to use your material to promote the program. We retain the rights to any materials that we create, for example the recording of the final event.

Q: My band doesn't play rock music, do we still qualify?
A: YES! We welcome all styles of music, and we mean ALL STYLES, as long as it's appropriate. So, if you're in a jazz group, mariachi, bluegrass, classical, rock, alternative or any other type of band, you qualify!

Q: Do all members in the band have to be from the same school?
A: No. Band members can be from different schools, as long as they fall into the general guidelines for age, graduation etc. (See the Official Rules for details).

Q: If I'm 18, do my parents need to sign all of the paperwork?
A: No, you only need your parents permission to participate if you are 17 or under.

Q: One of our band members is under 13, can we still enter?
A: All band members must be 13 years or older when the band enters. There are strict laws that we must follow and therefore we cannot make exceptions to this rule.

Q: Are all band members required to be involved in their school music programs?
A: No. Although we highly encourage you to get involved!

The Voting Round

Q: How may times a day can I vote?
A: One time per day.

Q: Who can vote?
A: Anyone over 13 who has an e-mail address.

Q: Is it one vote per person per calendar day or 24 hours?
A: Calendar day.

Q: What time zone is the voting tracked?
A: Pacific Time.

Q: How do I promote my band's involvement?
A: We've provided numerous tools for bands to promote themselves and their involvement. Tools can be found on your band profile page.

Q: What if I believe a band is cheating?
A: Please e-mail us at schooljamusa@namm.org and we'll look into it.

Q: What if someone claims my band is cheating?
A: We may ask you a few questions and if there is a problem we'll look into it and make a decision using our best judgment. We will never disclose who sent a complaint nor will we ever discuss another band with anyone regarding a complaint.

Q: Where can I see how many votes I received?
A: On your band's profile page.

SchoolJam USA Finals

Q: How many bands advance to the finals?
A: 8 bands.

Q: How are the finalist bands chosen?
A: Finalist bands will be chosen based on a combination of their overall number of public votes and their musical score—to be determined by a panel of qualified judges. See the "How It Works" page for the specfiic calculations.

Q: Will our band see our final scores?
A: We share the total vote count, but not the music score. If judges provide comments for the bands we will share those.

Q: What costs are involved with participating in the finals?
A: You are responsible for getting yourself to Anaheim, California, and some meals. We cover the cost of your hotel and some of your meals. We will provide bands with a method for fundraising to help with the cost of travel.

Q: Will we receive passes to the NAMM Show?
A: Yes, you and your family will receive passes to visit the NAMM Show. Please note there are some restrictions for minors on the show floor. (Band Members are covered.)

Q: Can we sell merchandise at the finals?
A: Yes, and we encourage you to do so.

Q: Who judges the finals?
A: There will be a judges panel made up of industry experts and partners who will judge the finals. Exact individuals will be named closer to the date.

Q: Can we bring a chaperone?
A: Yes, it's actually required. We will cover the cost of a hotel for 1 chaperone per band, of whom everyone must agree upon. Chaperones must be a parent or legal guardian of one of the band members, not an older sibling or friend and at least 21 years of age.

Q: What if one of our band members can't travel?
A: Substitutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Q: Can we play different songs than we auditioned with?
A: Yes, but each song must be original and must be approved prior to the finals.

Prizing

Q: If our band members are from different schools and we receive prizing, how is it split up?
A: Generally the prize money will be split evenly among the schools. Bands may have the option of giving all of the funds to one school. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis, but the decision on where the prize money will go must be made prior to the finals.

Q: Can our band give money to our rock school or other after school program?
A: No. the prize money for the schools must go to a state recognized middle or high school. After-school programs, for profit music schools, camps, etc. are not eligible.

Q: Will we be responsible for taxes on prizes awarded?
A: Yes, you will be responsible for any taxes due on prizes, and we will provide all of the necessary paperwork.

Q: How are the prizes provided?
A: The cash prizes for the bands are provided in a pre-paid debit card. The prizes for the school music programs are awarded via a check to the school.

Q: Does the winning band really get to play in Germany?
A: Yes, we really do take the winning band to Germany (as long as they qualify—meaning the band is still a band, there's no legal barriers, etc.).

Q: What happens if the winning and is not able to travel to Germany?
A: We can offer the trip to the 2nd place band, then 3rd place and so on.

Q: What costs will the winning band have for the trip to Germany?
A: We cover the winning band's hotel and airfare to Frankfurt, Germany, plus provide a one-time stipend to assist with meals. Band members are repsonsible for sightseeing, souvenirs, some meals and any other miscellaneous items the band needs.

Q: Does the winning band need a chaperone?
A: Yes, the same rules that apply for Anaheim apply for Germany. We pick up the hotel and airfare cost for the band's chaperone.

Q: Can our families travel to Germany with us?
A: Yes, families are welcomed. But all expenses related to the trip are their responsibility.