CHAMPAIGN — Are you part of a talented teen band that wants to get its name out? If so, The Champaign Park District has recently begun the application process for the local round of the 2009 Illinois Battle of the Bands.

The applications are due by Feb. 6. Because of the popularity of the event, only 10 bands from the initial pool of applicants will be selected to perform. Applicants will be notified by Feb. 13 if they are selected.

To enter, fill out the application, which you can download as a PDF here or at the bottom of this page.

Along with the completed application, bands must submit an MP3, WAV, or CD of up to three tracks that best represent the type of music they will be performing, a JPEG picture of the band, a copy of the lyrics of the songs submitted, and a $10 nonrefundable application fee.

Applications may be mailed to the Bresnan Meeting Center, Attn. Kristen Larson, 706 Kenwood Road, Champaign, IL 61821, or delivered in person Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additional materials may also be submitted via e-mail to kristen.larson@cparkdistrict.com.

For a complete list of contest rules and regulations, see the sidebar below.

The local competition, to be held on March 11, is in its seventh year and boasts of offering "an incredibly unique opportunity for teen bands," according to event organizers.

In collaboration with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Teen Committee, the Battle of the Bands features three levels of competition: local, regional, and state. Each year, approximately 120 teen bands participate in the state-level competition at the Illinois State Fair.

This year, the Champaign Park District plans on making the local competition bigger and more rewarding than any of the past contests.

The bands will be scored by five judges based on stage presentation, stage management, sound quality/clarity/musicianship, song quality/originality, and audience response.

In terms of prizes, the local competition boasts of several opportunities for the aspiring teen band. The prizes will include three hours of recording time at Pogo Studio (owned by Uni alum Mark Rubel), a paid performance at a Champaign Park District event, a performance at the Taste of Champaign-Urbana, and performance as the opening act at a summer concert.

This year’s local competition will be held at the Virginia Theatre, the home of Ebertfest as well as the site of previous performances by Relient K, B.B. King, The Temptations, and "Weird Al" Yankovic.

The Battle of the Bands also offers a great opportunity for area teen bands to get exposure, with local media covering the event.

"Overall," says Kristen Larson, a special-event coordinator for the Champaign Park District, the main sponsor of the Battle of the Bands, "our aim is to make this event a performance to be remembered not only by the bands but for the public as well."

2009 Battle of the Bands: Eligibility, Rules, and Regulations

• Band is defined as "having a minimum of 2 members with at least 1 member playing an instrument through the majority of each song:
• Must be an unsigned band and be based in Illinois
• All band members must be listed on the entry form and if under 18 must also have a guardian's signature
• All members must be between the ages 12 and 18
• Performance must be suitable for a family audience
• All necessary paperwork and materials must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for application (song track, photo of band, copy of lyrics, completed application, and application fee)
• Band members must be dressed in clothing free from obscenities or references to drugs, sex, or alcohol
• Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are not allowed on host site property during the event
• Bands' names and lyrics must be free of obscenities
• In order to keep everyone safe, bands who encourage moshing or any other potentially dangerous acts may be disqualified
• Bands must supply their instruments and any other equipment not provided by the Virginia Theatre (PA system, amps, monitors, and basic drum kit will be provided)
• Band members are responsible for the security of their equipment
• Fires, pyrotechnics, fog machines, etc are not allowed
• Champaign Park District and the Virginia Theatre reserve the right to make any necessary changes to contest rules and have the final word in any disputes that arise