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Camp Jam Alumni Chosen as Semi-Finalists in SchoolJam USA Battle of the Bands!

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, has selected Camp Jam Alumni THE SWITCHFITS of KENNEDY CATHOLIC and KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOLS to move on to the semi finals of the SchoolJam USA teen battle of the bands competition.

The nationwide contest, sponsored by NAMM, is designed to encourage teen bands across the United States to demonstrate their musical talents and enjoy the many proven benefits of making music.

[THE SWITCHFITS] will be included in the Online voting portion of the competition, which begins November 1, 2009, at www.schooljamusa.com. The general public is encouraged to visit the site and vote for their favorite band. The top two bands in five designated regions that receive the most votes will be announced on Dec. 19, 2009, and will be invited to the live SchoolJam USA battle of the bands finals held at the NAMM Show on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif.

The SchoolJam USA Battle of the Bands helps highlight the best and most talented teens across the country, while supporting the bands’ school music education programs. The winning band will receive $750 toward new musical equipment and could win a trip to perform at the SchoolJam Germany live finals in Frankfurt, Germany, at the MusikMesse trade fair. The top band’s school music program will also receive $5,000 toward new musical equipment purchased at their local NAMM Member retailer of choice. The competition is sponsored with the help of MENC, the national association for music education; the Music Education National Conference; Music For All; the John Lennon Educational Bus; SchoolJam and InTune Monthly magazine.

[Sam -14, on lead guitar & backing vocals, is a freshman at Kennedy Catholic High School, Harry -14, lead vocals, bass guitar, violin and drums, is a freshman at Kirkwood High School & Tony -17, on drums and bass guitar, is a Junior in the Home School program, first met during a Camp Jam Rock ‘n’ Roll Summer Band program. Camp Jam is what brought these three together and it has been a life changing experience for all three. They formed The Switchfits and have an amazing chemistry together. Their band has played at various festivals, Battle of the Bands, Carnivals, private parties and even many open mic nights around the St. Louis area. They have found a home in playing on Monday night open mic night a The House of Rock, where they have been given the opportunity to play along with several of the top musicians in the St Louis music scene.

They just recently finished recording a 5 song demo CD at TEP Studio in St Louis. They are currently working on a project for Radio Disney and Nickelodeon, and the recordings are being looked at by various record companies at the present time.

One song in particular was written and recorded as a Cardinal playoff theme song called "On Our Way" to create an excitement for our St Louis Cardinals run for the Championship. The St. Louis media had started to embrace the song as Y98, KHITS, KMOX, 1380 The Team, and various other radio stations were giving the song air time. Fox 2, KSDK 5, and KMOV 4 had provided coverage as well.