Teen song writing contest will award contracts as prizes

What better way is there for New Jersey teens to shout down drugs than by using one of the most effective entertainment mediums...music? The New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music competition is a drug prevention song writing contest searching for talented high school students to create and perform original peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention songs. All entries must be received by Jan. 12. County finalists will be chosen by the public through online voting and by a panel of judges. These finalists will perform at the statewide Prevention Concert on May 24, 2012, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Music contracts valued at $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 will be awarded to students. “The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey has witnessed enormous enthusiasm for this program from high school students from across New Jersey,” said Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey Executive Director, Angelo M. Valente. “This year we look forward to hearing from students from every county across the state. Whether you’re a rocker, a hip hop artist, a gospel or ballad singer, all music genres are welcome.” Comcast, the program’s title sponsor airs the Concert on Comcast’s On Demand channel. Visit shoutdowndrugs.com to listen to the entries and vote for favorite songs. Last year over 150,000 votes were cast. Online voting for the 2012 competition can be cast starting Feb. 10, 2012. The contest entry deadline is January 12, 2012. For entry forms and other information visit www.shoutdowndrugs.com or call the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey at 973-467-2100, extension 19.