Harwood holds first ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest on Friday

October 27, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout

Poster courtesy of Harwood Music

 To end the week on multiple high notes, the Harwood Union Music Department presents Battle of the Bands, a new event where high school rock bands compete for prize money and fame. 

It happens Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. on the Harwood stage. 

Ten bands with members from seven local high schools will perform with cash prizes awarded to the top three acts. 

On the program are The Jane Doe’s from Montpelier High School, Agents of Insanity from U-32, Graphite Zeppelin from Harwood. Others on the program feature musicians from Cabot, Twinfield Union, Rice Memorial and Lamoille high schools. 

Harwood Band Director Chris Rivers said the event takes the place in the fall calendar of the school’s former variety show. The idea, he said, was to highlight more student musicians from the area. “This is the first year. We plan on continuing to host this event, at least that's the plan now,” he said.

Prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place. The department’s scholarship fund will contribute the prize money this year with the hope of other funding in the future, Rivers said. 

The contest will have three judges and criteria to adjudicate each performance. 

Tickets are $5 at the door and doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

For those unable to attend, there’s a LiveStream Link on Mad River TV at 7 p.m. to watch online.