1st Place
Recording Session
High School Battle of the Bands
This will be the University of Colorado Denver’s Inaugural High School Battle of The Bands competition.
To apply, students must submit a video of their band/ group performing a song. A team of CU Denver music faculty, staff, and students will then review the videos and select up to 10 finalists to perform pieces live on the CU Denver campus. There is a minimum of two (2) band members, and original songs are encouraged but not required!
This is a friendly competition focused on appreciating the skill and talent of high school artists and musicians. Prizes for the finalists include scholarships to LYNX National Arts & Media Camps, recording sessions in our CU Denver recording studios, lessons from CU Denver songwriting faculty members, and professional photography sessions.
2nd Place
Songwriting Lesson
3rd Place
Photoshoot
Best Arrangement/Interpretation
(creativity, structure, builds, fresh take on covers)Best Rhythm Section
(groove, tight arranging, dynamics, tempo)Best Instrumental Solo
(technique, melody, feel, building the moment)Best Visual Presence
(look, movement, stagecraft, visual impact)Best Bass Face
(pure, uncontainable groove expression)Best Vocal Performance
(pitch, tone, control, emotion)Best Stage Presence
(energy, confidence, crowd connection)Best Dressed
(style, creativity, band cohesion)Every band is scored out of 100 points across five categories.
Covers are welcome. Cover songs are judged on arrangement and interpretation, so make it your own.
You're judged on what you control. Our house engineer mixes every band, so the front-of-house mix won't count against you.
Explore the categories below to see what the judges are listening and looking for.
Judge Panel
Singer/Songwriter Program Director Dango Rose, Assistant Professor DJ Williams, Recording Arts Program Director Alex Thomen