Competition set for April 7 at HSBC Arena during Scotty Bowman Cup

Music is Art today announced the six finalists for the annual Student Battle of the Bands.  For the third year in a row, the final battle will take place at HSBC Arena during the Scotty Bowman Cup.  This year’s event is set for Thursday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m.  The bands will play before the games and in between periods.

The finalists are:

Deanna Civilette – Fredonia High School

Final Conspiracy – Buffalo Academy of the Visual & Performing Arts

441 – Bay Trail Middle School (Penfield)

The Brass Monkeez – Lewiston Porter High School

Tripod Black – Hutchinson Central Technical High School

WiT – Kenmore East High School

“What’s really cool is that these student musicians will be competing for the title alongside the student athletes, bringing together two groups of kids who might not always get together in their schools,” Music is Art Executive Director Tod Kniazuk said.  “Thanks to the Buffalo Sabres and the Scotty Bowman Cup for inviting us to once again join them and showcase these incredible student musicians.”  Tickets to the entire event are available at the Sabres box office for $5.

The prizes for the winning band include a main stage slot at the annual Music is Art Festival on September 10 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, recording time at MiA founder Robby Takac’s GCR Audio, and the digital release of the single created there, and a promo photo shoot from MiA board member and professional concert photographer Bob Mussell.

To judge the battle, MiA has put together a panel of local music experts:

Eric Equils – Member, Abominable Killer Snowmen, 2009 Battle of the Bands winner
Tod Kniazuk – Executive Director, Music is Art
Justin Rose – Sound Engineer/Studio Manager, GCR Audio
George Scott – President, Colored Musicians Club
Bob Silvestri – Board Member, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame / Writer, BestofBuffalo.com
Grace Stumberg – Singer/Songwriter & Teaching Artist / MiA Program Graduate
Dominic Verni – General Manager, Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls, NY

“These bands represent some of the best student groups in three counties,” Kniazuk concluded.  “They’re all great, but only one can win.”