RPA Hosts Battle of the Bands

Redmond-based high school, Redmond Proficiency Academy, is gearing up for a new event aimed at bringing young musicians together to show off their skills. The RPA Music Department is inviting all local high school musicians, grade 9 through 12, to take part in its first-ever high school Battle of the Bands competition.

Bands and individual performers from any high school in the region can take part by submitting a video recording of one song — with preference given to original compositions. The judging panel, likely made up of faculty from RPA’s music department and other adult community members, will choose the artists they’ll ask to invite to a live performance at Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend on Jan. 13, 2027. The winner at the Battle of the Bands performance will win a complimentary session of recording time at a local professional studio.

“At Redmond Proficiency Academy, we know how much incredible musical talent thrives across our local high schools (we see it every day in our own classrooms!), and we want to give these young artists a stage to shine!” Liliana Wagner, communications and marketing coordinator at RPA, told the Source. “In addition to getting invaluable performance experience, we also hope that students will be able to build connections with peers across Central Oregon. We care deeply for the arts and love to give students the ability to chase their passions. The kids are buzzing!”

Entrants can submit their video performance at rpacademy.org/battleofthebands, along with verification from a teacher or music director confirming their enrollment at a local high school. Participants in the Battle of the Bands at Volcanic Theatre Pub will be announced by Dec. 4.

Redmond Proficiency Academy is a public charter school, open since 2009. Today it serves 900 students in grades 6 to 12, with special programs including Visual Arts, Theatre, Music and STEM & Robotics.

RPA Battle of the Bands
Video audition submissions due Fri., Nov. 20
Participants announced Fri., Dec. 4
Live Battle of the Bands concert at Volcanic Theatre Pub Wed., Jan. 13
Sign up at ‬rpacademy.org/battleofthebands‬‭ ,

This article appears in the Source November 5, 2026.