Rules

To be eligible, participating Bands:

• Must consist of students in high school or younger. The group's adult director (if any) may also participate in the performance, although he/she should serve a minor role in the ensemble
• Must be sponsored by a private string teacher or an arts organization located in the state of Kansas. An adult must be listed as the band’s contact person. Bands may not be sponsored by KSHSAA member schools. Sponsorship is defined as using school funds for band entry fees, or using the school’s name for entry.
• Must consist of at least 3 and no more than 12 players
• May consist of bowed and plucked string players, keyboards, drums, vocalists, etc. At least 50% of instrumentalists must be traditional bowed-string players (i.e.-violin, viola, cello, double bass).
• May be electrified or acoustic. (Winning band must be willing to be miked through performing hall's sound system).
• Must play a non-classical style of music (jazz, blues, fiddle, rock, hip hop, funk, etc). May play original material or cover songs. Classical music/themes treated in another style are fine. Memorization of music preferred, but not required. Bands should NOT play any pieces/arrangements by Barrage.
• Must submit a demo tape/video/YouTube link with one to three songs for consideration. Recording made within the last year may be submitted if the group's director and most of the performers are the same this year. Groups with new directors or significant different personnel should submit a recent recording.
• A maximum of seven bands will be chosen to participate in the Alternative Strings Battle of the Bands on January 21, 2009. Selection will be based on primarily on performance quality of individual bands. However, event organizers will also be seeking to choose a mix of bands which allow a wide range of alternative styles to be featured during the competition as a whole. Bands will be notified of their acceptance by October 30, 2008.
• Any band/group with members under contract to any company providing major national and international distribution for their musical compositions is not allowed to enter.
• Completed application, demo (video/DVD, CD or YouTube link) and a $10 per person entry fee must be received by October 25, 2008. (Bands not selected as finalists will be refunded entry fees). Recordings should be clearly labeled with adult sponsor name, band name, and listing of pieces on recording.

If selected as a finalist for the Battle of the Bands Competition:

• All band members must be officially registered for and participate in the WKSA Barrage Workshop Event and Concert. Music for the Barrage Workshop will be mailed out to participating band members by November 18.
  
  The participation fee for Barrage Workshop/Concert participation is $10 per person, and is a KSHSAA sanctioned activity.
• Each band will be assigned a time slot for a sound check between 11am to 12:30pm on the event date. Groups not showing during their allotted time give up this opportunity.
• During the competition, each band is given a total of 15-20 minutes to set up, perform 2 songs, and get off stage. Bands are welcome to provide student stage hands to assist band members with getting on and off stage.
• Some amplification equipment and a drum set will be available to use from FHSU. Equipment specifics will be worked out after the event participants are chosen.
• If performing with vocalists, songs should not contain any obscene or offensive language. Participating bands will be required to submit lyrics for all songs to be performed at the competition. FHSU retains the right to veto any songs on account of obscene or provocative lyrics. Indecent body gestures will NOT be permitted. Any actions or lyrics determined to be indecent or obscene by the judges during the actual contest will result in the disqualification of the entire band.
• The performances at the Competition may be recorded by FHSU and such recording shall be the property of FHSU. Each band performing in the competition is deemed to have granted FHSU a license to use such recording for any purpose.
• The entire performance must be live. No pre-recorded music.
• In agreeing to participate in the Battle of the Bands, your group must be able to commit to serve as opening act to Barrage that evening (approximately 7:00-7:15pm) if you are chosen as the competition winner. The winner must be able to provide 15 minutes of music during your performance as the opening act to Barrage.
• Prize money checks are written to the order of the sponsoring private teacher or arts organization to be distributed however they deem appropriate.
• The Yamaha SV-130 electric violin to be given away during event will be presented to the school of the student who wins the drawing.

Judging Criteria:

The purpose of the Alternative Strings Battle of the Bands is to show case how traditional bowed-string instruments and players can participate in non-classical ensembles, performing various alternative styles music. As such, the extent to which bowed-string players are featured in the band's music/act will be an important component in the judges' ratings. In addition, bands will be judged on:

• Technical Skills - instrumental/vocal skill, intonation, ensemble, fluidity, complexity of music, memorization
• Originality - What makes your band different, unique? Quality of original material and/or interpretation of cover tunes. Does your performance go beyond the notes to express feelings/emotions? Unique use of bowed-string instruments in ensemble.
• Visual Presentation - stage presence, clothes, costuming, actions/movement on stage, props
• Professionalism - Use of performance time (including set up and break down time), acknowledgements, introductions, etc.
• Overall Entertainment Value - How entertaining was your band? Did you hold the interest of the audience?

KSHSAA School Members Participation in Educational Activities:

KSHSAA member school orchestras may register their school string players to participate in the following educational activities occurring that day: 1) the Battle of the Bands event as an audience member, 2) the Yamaha Experiment Room, 3) the Barrage Workshop as a participant, and 3) the Barrage Concert (both participant and audience) occurring that day. Registration for this educational event is $10 per person, and is due November 15, 2008. (Schools should send enrollment fees as one check). Barrage Workshop music will be mailed to school directors by November 18th.