On Saturday, May 21 MI presented the final performances in the Spring ‘05 competition to find the best original high school band in Southern California. Notices were sent out to 300 area schools asking aspiring bands to submit their best recorded tracks. After judging by a panel of Music Business Program students and staff, five finalists from all over SoCal were chosen to perform three songs apiece for a panel of record company A&R reps. The finalists included Switch (Laguna Niguel), The Glitch (Glendale), Rag Doll Puppets (Huntington Beach), The Ellipses (San Diego) and Souljurners (Temecula).

An enthusiastic crowd of parents and friends cheered and snapped pictures during each band’s set, and when the votes were tallied, alt-rockers Switch took top honors with their catchy material and wild stage presence. Each member (Adam Wellington and Nick Papageorge, guitars; Brandon Newby, vocals; Chris Bridge, drums and Kevin Hochstadter, bass) will receive a full tuition scholarship to MI’s Encore Program, and other prizes include a Schecter guitar and bass, a one-year subscription to Music Connection magazine, a one-year membership in TAXI (the “World’s Leading Independent A&R Company”), and a performance review in a national music magazine.

After the event, organizer and Music Business Program director Kenny Kerner commented, "I was impressed with the professionalism of each musician that took part. They were well rehearsed, exuded lots of energy and showed a real passion for music. Switch got the highest score, but everyone who participates in a contest like this wins – including all of the parents who were so incredibly supportive and enthusiastic."

photo: contest winners Switch