SEARCH IS ON FOR ALL-AMERICAN BAND

McDonald's and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences have announced that the search is on for the McDonald's All-American High School Band.

The band will perform during Grammy Week festivities in New York City in February. All high school seniors are eligible for nomination to the prestigious All-American Band by their high school band or music director.

McDonald's band program strikes a new chord this year through its partnership with The Recording Academy, the organization that selects the Grammy Award winners each year.

Fifty-three state finalists, one from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and 25 All-American High School Band members will be selected by a panel of Recording Academy members and music educators. The Recording Academy also will select one band member to receive its first High School Student Music Award.

Finalists will be announced in mid-December. In addition to a prize package, McDonald's will award to each of their school's music department a $1,000 grant.

Nomination forms were distributed to high school band and music directors representing 27,000 public, private and parochial schools nationwide.