Rockonsin

ROCKONSIN - a free music competition for Wisconsin 7th - 12th grade garage bands held at Summerfest Bands can perform either cover or original songs.

Rockonsin is a statewide garage band competition for 7th – 12th grade musicians, of all musical genres, that form a group of two or more members outside of school; but they must be attending a Wisconsin public or private school or charter, virtual or home school. 2021 is the 17th year that Dennis Graham Associates has presented a garageband styled program for young Wisconsin musicians. The Madison

Area Music Association (MAMA) has joined the effort in providing this opportunity to statewide Wisconsin youth musicians that want to share their passion for performing on stage. This State Finals only alternative music competition annually features 12 statewide garagebands performing at Summerfest, The World's Largest Music Festival. For more information on this only statewide alternative music competition, for 7th -12 grade Wisconsin garagebands (of all musical genres), in the nation and to have your band apply go to www.rockonsin.org. There is NO application fee or any associated costs to participate. Band application period is open annually from March 1 - April 30 but dates may change due to the Coronavirus. Bands must apply online (www.rockonsin.org) and provide a link to a video performance of one song (can be either cover or original song). Each band is provided a 15 minute time slot at the State Finals and will be given two free Shure microphones (one vocal and one instrument, both with cords); the winner will also receive a Shure wireless vocal microphone system. The winner and runner-up will each receive free studio recording time (12 hours for the winner and 8 hours for the runner-up) at Madison's Blast House Studios. The winner and runner-up will also each receive a second 45 minute showcase gig at Summerfest. For more information and to apply visit www.rockonsin.org

05/30/2026

ROCKONSIN State Finals are coming to Summerfest! Checkout these 10 cool & talented garagebands that will be rockin’ The Big Gig!🤘

05/26/2026

Gonna “ROCK” the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest! Print this poster at www.rockonsin.org

05/25/2026

ROCKONSIN State Finals are coming. See you at The Big Gig!🤘

05/21/2026

The Shure mics arrived today! Each of the 10 ROCKONSIN State Finalist bands @ Summerfest receives one instrumental mic & one vocal mic with cords. The winning band will also receive an additional Shure wireless vocal mic system. See you at The Big Gig!🎸🤘

05/15/2026

Congrats to the 2026 ROCKONSIN Top 10 State Finalist bands @ Summerfest showcasing on the Aurora Pavilion Stage on June 19 & 20; 5 bands each day. The scores as they are every year were very close. We never disclose the judges scores and that’s why its Free to apply. If you did not make it in this year’s band list do not ever let one music event define you or damper your love of music and performing - keep on keepin’ on! For the Top 10 bands you will be receiving an email over the weekend with your ROCKONSIN agreement and other info needed back by May 20. Time is of the essence so please get that info requested back to us immediately. See you at The Big Gig!🤘

05/13/2026

I want to thank and give major props to the Nicholas Family Foundation. Without their financial funding and belief in providing young musicians and bands the opportunity to showcase their love of music and performing, at Summerfest no less, there would be no ROCKONSIN. And we are still the ONLY statewide garageband competition, open only to Badger State 7th - 12th grade bands, in the nation and finishing up our 22nd year. Thanks so very much - the Nicholas Family Foundation’s awesome support and encouragement that is provided to these young musicians is so very much appreciated. We will announce on our social platforms at 8:00am this Friday May 15th the Top 10 ROCKONSIN State Finalist bands that will be performing at Summerfest on the Aurora Pavilion Stage on June 19 (5 bands) and June 20 (5 bands). I also want to thank our three band application judges who put in so much time reviewing and scoring out the bands that had applied and sent in their one song video. Much thanks to Cathy Dethmers, who owned the Madison High Noon Saloon (the coolest music club in the Midwest and was so musician friendly), to Borna Velic who is the Program Director at Milwaukee’s 102.9 The HOG and WKLH 96.5, and to Rokker whose Max Ink Radio show is on every Sat. & Sunday, from 6pm - Midnite each day, in Madison on the Civic Media network station WMDX 92.7 FM and 1580 AM. Thanks much to these ROCKONSIN judges.🤘

Just a heads up to the bands that are applying to ROCKONSIN. Also check your spam for any email from ROCKONSIN (rockons...

04/28/2026

Just a heads up to the bands that are applying to ROCKONSIN. Also check your spam for any email from ROCKONSIN ([email protected]) regarding your application. We send all messages back to the emails listed in the application but at times it can land in spam. We answer all applications and emails within 24 hours of receiving them.🤘

04/25/2026

GET READY!🤘

04/22/2026

FREE band application closes on April 30 - see you at The Big Gig!🤘

04/20/2026

Ten days left to apply FREE at ROCKONSIN.org - deadline is April 30. See you at The Big Gig!🤘

Address

Cambridge, WI

Telephone

+6083452330

Website

http://www.rockonsin.org/

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