Juanes Lends Support to BMI Foundation’s peermusic Latin Scholarship

The BMI Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of the 4th Annual peermusic Latin Scholarship, a competition for young songwriters and composers. Established by music publisher Ralph Peer II and generously funded by peermusic, a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded for the best song or instrumental composition in a Latin genre.

Famed Latin rock superstar, Juanes, is proud to stand behind a contest that supports and encourages young Latin musical talent. “This contest is an amazing opportunity for young composers/lyricists to compete against the best talent in the USA and Puerto Rico and earn money to further their education. I am glad to be a part of something that promotes and celebrates the emergence and growth of Latin musical talent,” says Juanes. The 2007 competition is open to students between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in any college or university in the United States and Puerto Rico. All words and music must be original. The postmark deadline for entries is Jan. 13, 2007.

Founded by Ralph Peer in 1928, peermusic is a global network of music publishing companies operating from 33 offices in 27 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company’s catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock ‘n’ roll, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world. The BMI Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1985 to support the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation come primarily from songwriters, composers and publishers, BMI employees and members of the public with a special interest in music. Because both the Foundation staff and the distinguished members of the Advisory Panel serve without compensation, over 95% of all donations and income are used for charitable grants.