Student Musicians from Across the Country Earn Top Honors in Nationwide Competition
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bach to Rock, America’s modern music school for students of all ages, proudly announces the champions of its Sixth Annual National Battle of the Bands competition. Following local and regional contests, student bands competed for national honors in four divisions: elementary school, two middle school divisions and high school. The competition showcased an impressive range of young musical talent, with students demonstrating not only their musicianship, but also the teamwork, confidence and stage presence that is cultivated from performing as a band. A distinguished panel of music industry professionals evaluated the performances and selected first place winners and two runners-up per category. More than 7,700 fan votes were also cast to select a fan favorite in each division prior to the August event. The list of national winners is below, and the performances can be viewed on bachtorock.com/live.
Elementary School Division
- 1st Place: The Runaways – Bach to Rock, Bristow, VA
- Runner-up: The Noodles – Bach to Rock, Rancho Penasquitos, CA
- Runner-up: Evergreen Titans – Bach to Rock, Redmond, WA
- Fan Favorite: The Noodles – Bach to Rock, Rancho Penasquitos, CA
Middle School Division 1
- 1st Place: Kuzin Kru – Bach to Rock, Port Washington, NY
- Runner-up: Overdrive – Bach to Rock, Denville, NJ
- Runner-up: Sick Moose – Bach to Rock, Lutz, FL
- Fan Favorite: Sick Moose – Bach to Rock, Lutz, FL
Middle School Division 2
- 1st Place: Murder On Mars – Bach to Rock, Redmond, WA
- Runner-up: Double Time – Bach to Rock, Nanuet, NY
- Runner-up: Redhorn – Bach to Rock, Northbrook, IL
- Fan Favorite: The Exploding Bobs – Bach to Rock, Apex, NC
High School Division
- 1st Place: Whether For Cast? – Bach to Rock, Lutz, FL
- Runner-up: Slackin Kraken – Bach to Rock, Apex, NC
- Runner-up (tie): Used Car Battery – Bach to Rock, Port Washington, NY
- Runner-up (tie): LOVEblue – Bach to Rock, Fishers, IN
- Fan Favorite: Petrichor – Bach to Rock, East Marietta, GA
“The Battle of the Bands is one of our favorite events because it gives students the experience of preparing for a big gig, from rehearsing and collaborating with their bandmates, to ultimately performing for an audience,” said Brian Gross, President of Bach to Rock. “At Bach to Rock, we are performance focused. So, it is rewarding to see the confidence, stage presence and passion each band brings to the stage. We know they have put in a lot of time, energy and dedication to achieving a common goal.”
Bach to Rock thanks its all-star panel of judges for bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to the 2026 Battle of the Bands.
- Elementary school judges: Griffin Tenbarge, Kimberly Venetz, Sean Mason
- Middle school division 1 judges: Ben Badger, Jason Clark, Rhett Repko
- Middle school division 2 judges: Ben Badger, Dan English, Kayko
- High school judges: Claudia B, Gabe Baker, Trey Odum
Bach to Rock – A Franchise Opportunity with Industry Stature
Bach to Rock has earned numerous accolades, including consecutive rankings since 2017 in Entrepreneur Magazine, featuring the 2025 and 2024 Franchise 500®, as well as being named a Top 150 Franchise for Veterans in 2023, and one of the 500 Powerhouse Brands by Franchise Times. The Bach to Rock business model is suited for any music lover who is passionate about enriching his or her community and helping educate children. It is also ideal for experienced investors who appreciate the revenue potential of opening several units. To learn more about franchise ownership opportunities and veteran and franchise referral programs, contact Ralph Rillon, Vice President of Franchise Development, at 1-855-227-7570 or franchise@bachtorock.com, or visit https://www.bachtorock.com/franchise/.
About Bach to Rock
Bach to Rock, America’s Music School, is a modern music school for students of all ages, from early childhood through high school and beyond. Bach to Rock knows learning music should be fun, and students learn best when they play music they enjoy. The unique approach combines one-on-one instruction with group practice and performance. Weekly ensemble instruction and band formations lead to public concerts, Battle of the Bands and recording sessions in Bach to Rock’s professional recording studios. Bach to Rock builds technique, fosters teamwork, and enhances self-esteem through private lessons, band instruction, and public performances.
Bach to Rock’s Beat Refinery is the largest Serato-certified DJ school in the United States and is one of only a handful of schools worldwide to offer the elite training developed by Serato. Serato, founded in 1999, is the premier provider of audio software to the DJ industry. The Serato certification ensures that select Bach to Rock DJ instructors have been trained and authorized to teach using Serato software and equipment.
Primarily franchisee-owned with nearly 60 locations, Bach to Rock has instructed nearly 200,000 aspiring musicians since launching in 2007. For more information, visit https://www.bachtorock.com/franchise/ and follow Bach to Rock on Facebook and on Instagram.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Hoover
540-288-7962
rhoover@bachtorock.com
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