Rachel Schaeffer and the Old Bridge Marching Knights net more than $3,000 in prizes

MATAWAN, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- When Rachel Schaeffer, a trumpet player in the Old Bridge High School Marching Knights in Matawan, N.J., entered Halftime Magazine's "Nominate Your Band" contest, she didn't think much of her entry or the grand prize. That all changed when she found out she'd won.

Rachel Schaeffer's winning essay and video answered the question, "How has marching band affected your life?" An online poll of readers and website visitors determined the winner.

More than $3,000 in prizes will be awarded to Schaeffer during the Old Bridge Township Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25th at 7 p.m., followed by a party for the entire band sponsored by Halftime Magazine.

"This is a big deal to me," Schaeffer says. "At first [my band] didn't think much, but then they found out we could win $3,000, and they got excited."

Halftime Magazine, a glossy print publication and online community that highlights the "sights, sounds and spirit of the marching arts," started this contest to showcase the life-changing effects of marching and to give back to the community. "The contest provides equipment and funds in the face of dwindling arts budgets," says CEO/publisher Christine Ngeo Katzman. "At the same time, it features the talents of many performers in a national magazine."

An excerpt from Schaeffer's essay:

As early as February, when the marching band schedule for the ever-so-quickly approaching fall season is released, everything in my life is put on hold. Dance rehearsals become an inferior second, soccer practices are fit in where there's time, and free weekends to hang out with my friends cease as if they never existed before. And I love it.

To read Schaeffer's essay and view her video as well as the other finalists' entries, visit www.halftimemag.com/articles/nominate-your-band-2007.html.

The prize package valued at more than $3,000 comprises the following:

Rachel Schaeffer:

• $250
• 1-year subscription to Halftime Magazine
• Halftime Magazine T-shirt, pin and hat

Old Bridge High School Marching Knights:

• $1,000
• Remo PowerMax premuffled marching bass drumheads
• $500 in Yamaha accessories
• $500 in Evans Drumheads or Rico Reeds
• 1-year group subscription to Halftime Magazine
• Halftime Magazine T-shirts for every member

www.halftimemag.com

SOURCE Halftime Magazine