"High School Battle of The Bands" - Scholarship Competition

🏆 EVENT RULES

1. REGISTRATION ENTRY FEE:
   1. The registration fee is $20 and is non-refundable.
   2. Only one registration fee payment is required per performing act. This means that if you are part of a duo or band, you only need to pay one registration fee for your group to reserve your spot.
2. DEADLINE:
   1. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 2 using the "Participant Registration Form" button shown on this page. If you do not register, you will not be allowed to participate in the event. Once the registration deadline has passed, no additional competitors will be added.
3. SONG CRITERIA:
   1. Contestants perform 3 songs.
   2. Songs can be either original tunes or covers.
   3. Song lyrics must be Family Friendly. Songs with any obscene subject matter or use of profanity will not be allowed and will warrant immediate disqualification.
4. WHO CAN ENTER?
   1. Any North Dakota High School music act. Instrumentalists, solo/duo performances, and band performances (3-4 members) are allowed.
   2. Proof of high school status will be documented prior to participation.
5. COMPETITION OVERVIEW MEETING:
   1. All confirmed registrants must attend the "Competition Overview Meeting" which will be held on Saturday, November 4, at 5:30 pm at the Bismarck Elks (900 S. Washington Street, Bismarck, ND).
   2. The "Competition Overview Meeting" will cover a review of the rules and regulations, a recap of the judging criteria, details about the logistics for the June 16 event, and a blind draw for the order contestants will perform on November 4.
   3. You must have your valid high school student ID card or proof of enrollment with you on registration night.
6. JUDGING and AUDIENCE RESPONSE:
   1. A combination of Audience responses and Judge Scoring determines the winner(s).
      1. AUDIENCE RESPONSE: determined by the level of applause and engagement during and after the performance.
      2. JUDGING: Vocals - the act's vocal skills to include concepts of tone, musicality, meaning, and expression. Instrumental Talent - Ability level on all instruments featured within the act. Stage Presence - The ability to command the attention of the audience by the impressiveness of one's manner and appearance on stage.
7. JUDGE VOTES:
   1. There will be up 5 judges.
   2. Judges are pre-selected members of the local music community – in some cases from the music industry. Judge's ballots are not available for review.
   3. In the event of a tie score, the band that receives the greater number of applause from the audience will advance.
   4. If there is still a tie, the amount of 2nd place judge votes will determine who wins each category.
   5. All winners, including the grand prize winner, will be read from the stage roughly 30 minutes after the final performance, or as long as it takes to tally the final results.
   6. Judges will be instructed to ignore “genre bias" which means they will not reward a band for playing a type/style of music that the judge personally likes, and, conversely, not penalize a band simply because the music isn’t agreeable with the judge’s personal taste.
8. JUDGING CRITERIA:
   1. Evidence of performance planning; i.e. Choreography, demonstration of the musical/movement or program dynamics, etc. Evidence of rehearsal, bands know the lyrics, bands appeared ready and prepared to play.
   2. Talent.
      1. If vocals are present, did the skills include concepts of tone, musicality, meaning, and expression?
      2. Was there an ability level on all instruments featured within the act?
   3. Did the band interact with the audience?
   4. Did the members interact during the performance?
   5. How were the performer's confidence and competence?
   6. Did they look at ease while playing?
   7. Did they appear to be able to do what they wanted to do?
   8. How were the performer's stage presence, and did they use the stage effectively?
   9. Was the audience engaged and appreciative?
9. EQUIPMENT: Equipment Provided:
   1. Full sound system, lights, and professional sound crew.
   2. Drums:
      1. What's provided: Kick drum, one-rack tom, one-floor tom, 3 cymbal stands, hi-hat stand, snare stand and single bass drum pedal, throne, and all mics and mic cables. The use of the provided drum kit is mandatory if there is a drummer in the band. If you would like to add to the kit you may do so. Please notify the stage manager at check-in about your intentions.
      2. You need to bring: Cymbals (you may want to bring an extra cymbal stand just in case), Hi-Hat Cymbal, Snare drum, Sticks, Double Bass Pedal (if required).
   3. Other Instruments: You need to bring your own Guitars, Amps, Guitar pedals, DI Boxes, keyboards, guitar cables, and instruments you need to perform.
   4. Bands are responsible for getting their equipment on and off the stage in a timely manner.
   5. Band members are responsible for the security of their personal equipment.
10. PRIZES: $4,000 worth of scholarships.
    1. Grand Prize Winner: $1000 scholarship to the musical act as a whole. If you are a duo or band, the scholarship will be divided evenly between members.
    2. Solo/Duo Category: $500 scholarship per performer
    3. Band Category: $500 scholarship per performer up to a 4-person band.
11. CONTACTS: Any questions or concerns should be addressed to Jennifer Lyn at: jlyn@mainstageeventsnd.com