The GRAMMY Foundation has announced that 125 schools nationwide have been selected as GRAMMY Signature Schools semifinalist for 2012.

Created in 1998, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year. The GRAMMY Signature Schools program is made possible in part through the generous support of Best Buy, Campbell's Labels for Education program, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and Gibson Foundation.

"The GRAMMY Signature Schools program sustains excellence in music education by granting awards to public high school music programs in communities across the country," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. "Each of these semifinalist schools should be commended for their commitment to keeping the arts in their curriculum for the long-term benefits of their students."

Finalists will be announced in mid-March 2012 and the selected schools will receive a custom award and a monetary grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to benefit their music program.