Source: Shout Down Drugs New Jersey
Since 2005, New Jersey Shout Down Drugs challenges high school students to create original music and lyrics with powerful substance abuse prevention messages to allow teens to deliver the prevention message to each other through their favorite medium of music.
Through the website, ShoutDownDrugs.com, the public is invited to vote for their favorite songs by participating in two phases of online voting. Since 2010, when the online voting began, hundreds of thousands of votes have been cast.
This year, thirteen musical acts, comprised of 24 students from nine counties, will compete for music contracts at the Prevention Concert to be held at at 7PM on Friday May 10 at the Rutgers University Mastrobuono Theatre, 85 George Street, New Brunswick.
The finalists not only will be judged on their performances but also on public voting for their entries. First, second and third place winners are chosen by a panel of judges that night to receive music contracts worth $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively to perform their winning songs at different events throughout the state during the year.
You can vote for your favorite songs (as often as you like) on the finalist page, through May 9. These results will factor into the finalists’ scores on the night of the concert.
“The participants have displayed not only creativity and musical talent, but also determination to make a difference in the lives of their peers by using their talent to spread important messages of prevention,” said Angelo Valente, executive director of Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.
“Shout Down Drugs is unique because it allows young people to be leaders in a positive and creative way. It’s a wonderful opportunity for these teens to inspire their peers with their passionate messages of substance use prevention.”
Bert Baron, morning talk show host on 1450 WCTC, will serve as the master of ceremonies at the concert, presented by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association and 1450 WCTC.
Tickets to the concert are free of charge and can be reserved online at DrugFreeNJ.org Tickets or by calling 973-467-2100, ext. 19.