WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the non-profit organization American Voices, is pleased to announce the ensembles selected for the 2012-2013 season of American Music Abroad.

Twelve American musical groups chosen for their musical excellence and educational capability will visit more than 40 countries to present original American music through public concerts, master classes, workshops, jam sessions with local musicians and media outreach. They were selected following a live round of auditions held in New York, St. Louis and San Francisco.

More than 270 musical ensembles from over 40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands competed to take part in this season’s program.

The selected groups include:
Act of Congress (Americana/Acoustic Rock, Alabama)
Audiopharmacy (Hip Hop/Dub, California)
Boston Boys (Soul/Country, Massachusetts)
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Barbara Lamb (Folk/Roots, Maryland)
The Clinton Curtis Band (Rock/Blues, New York)
Della Mae (Bluegrass, Massachusetts)
Keola Beamer & Jeff Peterson, with Moanalani Beamer (Hawaiian Slack Guitar/Hula, Hawaii)
Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road (Heartland Acoustic, Oklahoma)
Mahogany Jones (Hip Hop/Soul, Michigan)
Matuto (Americana, New York)
PROJECT Trio (Jazz/Classical/Hip Hop, New York)
Real Vocal String Quartet (Crossover/Chamber Jazz, California).

Ensembles will travel around the globe for approximately one month each between May 2012 and May 2013. During their respective tours, each ensemble will visit four to six countries. American Music Abroad activities focus on younger and underserved audiences in countries with little or no access to live American performances.

American Music Abroad builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy, embracing the use of a full range of diplomatic tools – in this case music – to bring people together and foster greater understanding.

For more information, please visit http://exchanges.state.gov/cultural/ama.html and http://amvoices.org/ama/ .