- Jeff Niesel
Earlier today, Live Nation announced that it has started taking submissions for the 24th annual Tri-C High School Rock Off. The event returns to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in February.
All High School Rock Off tickets will include admission to the Rock Hall and access to its newest exhibits. This year’s participating sponsors include Jim Stewart Recording, House of Blues Cleveland, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, the Grog Shop, Musica, Mahall’s and TuneCore.
“High School Rock Off is a great showcase for these talented young artists,” says Greg Harris, the Rock Hall’s president and CEO, in a press release. “In addition to being an incredibly fun experience, select participants also perform at Hall of Fame events and for some, the Rock Off has been their launchpad to successful music careers.”
High school seniors participating in the Rock Off will have the opportunity to apply for three PNC scholarships to study in Tri-C Creative Arts programs. PNC Bank will provide scholarships of up to $2,000 each to eligible students who enroll at Tri-C.
“The level of talent displayed in the High School Rock Off has amazed us year after year,” says Pat Pastore, PNC regional president of Cleveland. “We hope these scholarships will encourage students to follow their dreams and build the foundation for their careers which will create a stronger Northeast Ohio economy in the long run.”
“Working with Live Nation and the Rock Hall creates an unparalleled opportunity for Tri-C to help students jumpstart careers in music performance, marketing, promotion and recording technology,” adds David Kennedy, Director of Tri-C’s Recording Arts and Technology program. “We help focus their passion and provide high-tech training, industry connections and transfer opportunities to some of the top music universities in the world. Rock Off alumni work in all facets of the music industry such as recording studios, concert halls and arenas, equipment manufacturing, broadcasting, marketing, promotion, touring and with companies like House of Blues, Live Nation and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
All of the participating bands will have access to the bookers and marketing directors at House of Blues Cleveland, the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, the Grog Shop, Mahall’s and Musica. This “incubator relationship” will give the bands the opportunity to book shows or have a CD release party at one of the sponsoring clubs.
Performances take place on Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22. The “final exam” occurs on Saturday, Feb. 29. Entry forms and details on the 2020 event are available at rockhall.com/rockoff. All performers must be enrolled in 12th grade or lower at the time of the competition to be eligible and at least half of the band members must be high school students. The entry fee is $60, but that’ll be refunded in full to performers not selected. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9.
Finalists will get to record one original song at Tri-C’s Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts, and the winning band will receive $1,000 cash and $250 for its high school music program. Second place will receive $250 cash and $100 for its high school music program and third place will receive $100 cash.
Also, Live Nation is inviting Northeast Ohio high school graphic artists to create this year’s design for the official High School Rock Off downloadable CD cover artwork, the official T-shirt and poster. Art entries with completed artwork release forms must be submitted to the above Live Nation address by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9.
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