ATLANTA – The Metro Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership (MAVPP) in conjunction with the Morehouse School of Medicine is inviting Atlanta youth to showcase their musical talents in a citywide music competition.

Singers, rappers, poets and group acts can submit nonviolent musical entrees by March 12, 2010 for a chance to win CASH prizes and to change the lives of other youth. The citywide music contest is open middle and high school students ages 12-18.

MAVPP pioneers are on a mission to decrease ALL types of violence including harmful school, street, and gang activity in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Music, a universal language of today’s youth, is avenue of doing just that.

“Music has always been a part of every generation and a vehicle by which youth express themselves,” said Dr. James P. Griffin Jr., a research assistant professor in MSM's Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and founder of MAVPP. “Music, regardless of the genre, becomes a part of us and who we are. And we must remember that music has an impact on our society. So if our youth today are constantly hearing violence in their music, then we can’t expect them not to emulate that violence.”

Through participation in the MAVPP competition, Atlanta youth will learn to use their vocal talents as a tool of violence prevention.

Finalists in the competition will receive studio time and their work featured on a compact disk produced by celebrity producers and professional engineers. The prize for First Place is $500; Second Place is $250 and Third Place is $100.

To participate in the City-wide MAVPP Nonviolent Music contest, click on the link below to complete the online application and submit the required individual ($20) or group ($30) application fee.

Payment can be made through PayPal (click on link below) or by check or money order payable to the "Georgia Violence Prevention Partnership" (GAVPP) (for mailing address, click on link below). The MAVPP is a chapter of Georgia Violence Prevention Partnership.

Click here for the 2010 Nonviolent Music Contest Application Form.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Reginald Crossley
mr.crossley@gmail.com

Dr. James P. Griffin, Jr.
jgriffin@msm.edu

Ms. Carlynn Pearson
404-756-8832

Metropolitan Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership began in October 2005 with a mission of promoting healthy families and healthy communities. Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is a leading partner in the MAVPP initiative. Since its inception, MAVPP has built a coalition of community and faith-based organizations, schools and governments to strengthen violence prevention efforts in Atlanta, Fulton and surrounding communities. The MAVPP is a chapter of the Georgia Violence Prevention Partnership

www.citycouncil.atlantaga.gov