RULES

IMPORTANT

Before applying, please read the information below to make sure your band qualifies to enter ROCKONSIN. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Registration ONLY open to 7th – 12th grade students attending a WISCONSIN school in the 2023/2024 school year. All genres of music invited to apply. NO FEE or any associated costs. Bands, formed outside the school music program, must consist of at least two members that play instruments & one member must be a vocalist. A band can be no smaller than two members. All band members must be attending during the 2023/2024 school year a WISCONSIN public, private, charter, virtual or home school.

• Wisconsin school attendance verification: each band member of the 10 statewide finalist bands selected to perform at Summerfest must submit a school picture ID, that shows band member picture, name of Wisconsin school they attend and their class year (7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) for the current 2023/2024 school year; if a school ID is not available send a report card that shows the name, school and grade level and redact (blackout) all classes/grades. Home school band members should contact ROCKONSIN at rockonsin@gmail.com for instructions. If verifying school documents for ALL band members, of a band that has been selected as one of the 10 Summerfest finalist groups, is not provided that band will not be eligible to perform at the ROCKONSIN State Finals competition at Summerfest; and that band slot will be given to an alternate band. You do not need to provide school verification documents with the band application. The documents/ID are only needed if you are chosen as a state finalist band.

• The band must submit, along with their application, the performance of one song (original or cover) on video (can use a smartphone to record) with a link to that video; please take the video close up enough so that we can see the band members actually playing or singing; please include the songwriting credit and lyrics.

• All elements of the band performance must be performed live, no sampling, looping or DJs.

• The 10 statewide bands that are selected to perform at the ROCKONSIN State Finals at Summerfest must appear on the date and at the time assigned for their performance or their slot will be given to an alternate band. Bands will only bring their instruments & cords and pedal board and will use Summerfest stage amplifiers and backline. All drummers will use a community drum kit (they can use their own throne and switch out to double bass drum pedals if they bring them). Changeover time between band performances is limited to 10 minutes. Bands are responsible for securing their instruments & accessories on Summerfest grounds.

• If your band is selected to perform at the Summerfest finals competition, you will have 20 minutes for your performance and bands must finish their performance in that allotted timeframe.

• State Finals band times and dates are assigned after the announcement of the 10 State Finalist bands on May 15th. The Summerfest date and time a State Finals band is assigned to perform is NOT negotiable. If for some unforeseen scenario one member of a State Finals band cannot perform on the date assigned to a band, then that band may find a substitute as a replacement.  The replacement/substitute band member must also have been attending a Wisconsin public, private, charter, homeschool or virtual school and enrolled in 7th – 12th grade during the 2023/2024 school year and must send in verification documentation. Only one band member per State Finals band can be replaced otherwise that band’s assigned performance slot will be awarded to an alternate band.

• Swearing or the use of profane, intolerant or misogynistic language and inappropriate attire will be cause to turn off the sound system and disqualify a band’s performance – so be cool. You want to impress the judges with your musical talent.

• NO PROPS ON STAGE, no exceptions. All bands/groups are expected to respect the use of all Summerfest stage and sound equipment, this includes not damaging any sound system equipment or stage facilities & dressing rooms. No standing on monitors, speakers or damaging microphones or the community drum kit; no throwing objects (e.g. drumsticks) from the stage or into the crowd – any actions such as described above or causing damage to equipment will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediately turning off the sound and disqualification from the competition.

• Summerfest stage managers have the final say on all production-related matters.

• Providing misleading or false information on your band application is grounds for disqualification.

• Finalist bands assigned performance dates and times at the ROCKONSIN State Finals are not negotiable; if you are unable to sign an agreement to confirm the band’s date and time to perform, including signing a band liability waiver, and providing a stage plot then that time slot will be offered to an alternate band.

• By filling out a ROCKONSIN band application you and all band members have received parental consent to compete in ROCKONSIN; and by submitting this ROCKONSIN band application all band members and their families hold harmless ROCKONSIN LLC and Dennis Graham Associates LLC, Madison Area Music Association, Summerfest and all ROCKONSIN sponsors, volunteers and partners from any and all liabilities in association with competing in this garageband performance/event; and you give your permission to use your likeness and that of all band members in any advertising for ROCKONSIN LLC promotions.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If for any reason the Summerfest facilities are not available for the competition to be conducted, because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the Finals show will not be rescheduled; judges will review and judge the finalist bands’ application videos to determine the winner and runner-up.