Rockonsin 2026 | Youth Garage Band Competition

State Finals to be held June 19 & 20 @ Summerfest 

FREE APPLICATION OPENS MARCH 1 – APRIL 30

MADISON, Wis. (March 1, 2026) – Dennis Graham Associates, in association with the not for profit MAMA (Madison Area Music Association), is producing for the 22nd year a youth garageband competition showcasing only Wisconsin 7th – 12th grade bands of all musical genres.  ROCKONSIN is the only statewide youth music competition program of its kind in the nation.  

The 2026 ROCKONSIN State Finals two day competition will be conducted June 19 & June 20 (12:15pm – 2:45pm; 5 bands each day) on the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest during its festival run held over three weeks (June 18 - 20; June 25 - 27; July 2 - 4). Each of the 10 ROCKONSIN State Finalist bands will perform a 20 minute showcase set.

The 2026 winning and runner-up bands will win a second Summerfest gig performing a 45 minute set each on July 4th on the Aurora Pavilion Stage at The Big Gig (runner-up: 12:45p – 1:30pm; winner: 2:00p -2:45pm).

2026 ROCKONSIN, brought to you by the Nicholas Family Foundation, invites all statewide 7th – 12th grade Badger State garagebands, of any musical genre, to apply by sending in a one song (cover or original) video of their band’s performance. 

Bands can sign up and apply Free beginning March 1 at www.rockonsin.org and can run off a free application poster.

Three music industry professionals will review and score out all band application videos to determine the Top 10 State Finalist bands invited to Summerfest for the finals competition.

• Each of the Top 10 State Finalist bands selected will receive two Shure microphones (one vocal & one instrument mic each with cords) and will perform 20 minute showcase sets.

The 10 State Finals bands will be announced on May 15th. 

The winning band will also receive from Shure a wireless vocal microphone system.

• The winning and runner-up bands will each receive a second 45 minute showcase gig at  Summerfest 2026. Each winning band member will also receive a ROCKONSIN Award.

• The top two bands will also each receive a professional recording session at Madison’s Blast House Studios (12 hours for the winner and 8 hours for the runner-up).

Key 2026 ROCKONSIN features:

• There is NO registration fee; never any associated costs to participate.

• The 10 State Finalist bands will each perform a 20 minute showcase set.

• A band can be a combination of Wisconsin students in 7th - 12th grade.  All band members must be enrolled in a Wisconsin public, private, virtual, charter or home school during the 2025/2026 school year.

• The band must be comprised of two or more musicians, one member of the band must be a vocalist. 

Each band member of the 10 State Finalist bands selected must submit a school document verifying the Wisconsin school they are attending; more information can be found at www.rockonsin.org.  You do not need to submit a school document when applying, this is ONLY required if your band is chosen as a state finalist.

ROCKONSIN, which is brought to you by the Nicholas Family Foundation, is made possible with the support of sponsor partners that have a passion for providing opportunities to recognize and showcase the talents of these young bands.  Supporting partners include MAMA (Madison Area Music Association), Nicholas Family Foundation,Tilt Media, Shure, 104.3 The Fuse, RAZOR 94.7/104.7, WBAY TV 2 and Summerfest. This program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates which founded the program.

For more information on ROCKONSIN including band application information, up to date news, to run off a free band application poster and more, go to www.rockonsin.org.  Follow us on Facebook, Tik-Tok and Instagram @rockonsin.