A "Mercury Prize for kids" has been launched as part of National Music Week.
The competition will be a joint initiative between the government and the music industry to improve music education in schools.
Pupils will choose between ten British acts from a variety of genres to decide the winner of the prize.
The results will be announced on October 31 after National Music Week has taken place between October 16- 20.
The shortlist of acts include Betty Curse, former Busted member Matt Willis, Seth Lakeman and Rock School star L’il Chris.
More than 1,700 secondary schools in the UK have already signed up for National Music Week.
Schools will be given teaching materials to help encourage pupils music appreciation and understanding of the workings of the music industry.
They will also be given a token which they can exchange for a download or CD by one of the artists on the My Music prize shortlist.
Peter Jamieson the chairman of the British Phonographic Industry told BBC NEWS: "To date most music education in schools has focused on teaching children to play instruments.
"National Music Week is about exposing young people to a broad range of music and helping them to improve their listening skills.”
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