Grammy Nominated R&B/Pop Superstar Keri Hilson

and “Glee” Star Amber Riley want Teens to Do

Something to Save the Music

DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save The Music
Foundation team up to activate teens on music education with second
annual “Battle for the Bands” contest

DoSomething.org and
the VH1 Save The Music Foundation announce today the second annual
“Battle for the Bands” campaign, led by celebrity spokespeople Keri
Hilson and “Glee”’s Amber Riley. Launching March 1st, the national
initiative mobilizes young people in the fight to keep music education
in schools. “Battle for the Bands” encourages teens to participate by
submitting videos about the importance of music in the classroom or by
launching local advocacy projects about music education. DoSomething.org
and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will present the videos and
projects to members of Congress, urging them to keep comprehensive music
education in schools. Last year, over 90,000 teens participated in
joint music education campaigns launched by the two organizations. 

“We are thrilled to once again partner with DoSomething.org for the
“Battle for the Bands” campaign,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director
of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “The videos students submit
demonstrate firsthand the value of a comprehensive music education
program and help us to continue to raise awareness so that additional
children can have access to the benefits of music study. Last year saw
an incredible batch of submissions and I can’t wait to see what’s in
store for this year.”

Hilson, star of VH1s Divas Salute The Troops
and performer on the Critics Choice Movie Awards, filmed a Public
Service Announcement (PSA) that launched during the live telecast of
VH1’s Super Bowl Fan Jam concert.
“Glee” star Amber Riley is a VH1 Save The Music Ambassador and offers
her own advice on the importance of music in a PSA that begins airing
March 1st on Channel One News, VH1 and Palladia.
“Music is one of the most important things in my life and I am honored
to be a part of the ‘Battle for the Bands’ campaign,” said Amber Riley.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all of the submissions and helping these
two incredible organizations keep music in our schools!”
“Without music, how would any of us have learned the abc’s?” said DoSomething.org CEO, Nancy Lublin.

The six-week campaign will run from March 1st
through April 15th, 2011. Thanks to support from the Hot Topic
Foundation, a number of grants and prizes are available to reward
students from participating schools. The Hot Topic Foundation will also
make a grant to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation in support of
restoring a public school’s instrumental music program.
A panel of expert and celebrity judges will evaluate the video and
project entries based on creativity, strength of argument, use of social
media, and overall participation. 

The Grand Prize video will receive a $5000 prize for their school music
program and will be flown to NYC to perform at the Do Something Awards
Kickoff Event before music executives and a packed house. The Grand
Prize advocacy project will also receive $5000 and be featured on VH1
News and VH1.com.

Two additional winners in each category will
be selected to receive up to $1000 for their school music programs,
concert tickets, and other great prizes.
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.
For more information and contest guidelines, visit Dosomething.org/battle and vh1savethemusic.com.

ABOUT DOSOMETHING: 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 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 $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750
public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the
lives of over 1.6 million children. The 2011 Ambassador Class –
dedicated to raising awareness and funds to benefit The Foundation –
includes: Amber Riley, Ciara, Jewel, John Legend, John Mayer, Kristin
Chenoweth, Lifehouse and Sara Bareilles. Get involved at
www.vh1savethemusic.com and follow us on twitter @vh1savethemusic