Music Education Junior Finalist for BMI John Lennon Scholarship Program

March 14, 2006

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Nathan Reed, a junior music education major, is one of 55 National Association for Music Education (MENC) state finalists whose compositions have been selected to be judged in the ninth annual BMI John Lennon Scholarship Songwriting Program. One $10,000 scholarship (first prize) and two $5,000 scholarships (second and third prize) will be awarded in June 2006.

The John Lennon Scholarship Songwriting Program was established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation. The program recognizes the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24, and encourages students to compose songs of any style. Over $150,000 in scholarship money has been awarded over the past eight years to students from music schools, universities and youth orchestras.

Reed, whose principal instrument is percussion, wrote the composition, “Long Road Home,” for his band, the Christian rock ensemble My Book Your Sandwich (MBYS). He is the drummer and provides background vocals. For more information on the band, visit www.MBYS.net.

Contact: Flora W. Marynak, fwm1@psu.edu