ELIGIBILITY:   The Bitter Jester Music Festival (BJMF) is designed to feature talented young artists. The only criteria for entry is that at least half the members of the submitting band must be twenty-one (21) or younger at the time the application is submitted (see “Who is eligible to apply?”). __________________________  HOW BANDS ARE SELECTED: For acceptance into the festival, artists submit an online application and pay a submission fee. A seasoned Selection Committee thoroughly reviews every application (see "What do I need to apply to Bitter Jester?") and official selections are announced prior to the first concert of the season (we try to announce at about one month before). BJFA also selects Showcase/Guest Artists and Featured Solo Performers: non-competition acts that get highlighted at various concerts throughout the season. While we cannot take everyone who applies due to a limited number of competition slots (24), we do our best to get as many performers involved and featured as possible! __________________________ HOW LONG DO BANDS PLAY: For the Preliminary Concerts, artists play a 20-25 min set. It’s a little flexible and the judges don’t count the timing. For the Grand Finale, all bands must play a tight 20 min set - timing will count into score. Depending on the venue, the Grand Finale set is sometimes extended to a 30 minutes for competition artists. Timing for the Prelims is not strict (but please be respectful). Timing for the Finale sets is VERY strict, with artsits losing points if they are over or under the time limit.  __________________________ PERFORMING ON MULTIPLE NIGHTS: The Preliminary Concerts are all standalone events with different bands and different judges each night. Performers ONLY need to perform at one Preliminary Concert. We strongly encourage folks to come for the full weekend (or both weekends!). We offer a good hotel group rate at a local Marriott to help facilitate this. Consider coming back on Sat. if you performed on Fri, or come out the night before your show to check out the competition, meet the BJMF team, and then come back with a great lay of the land). BJMF is fun, most of all, but it's also helpful to see who else is performing and not be walk into a venue with zero sense of the space (especially when it's a competition). If you're competing and you win your Prelim (or are selected as a Wild Card), you would then ALSO need to perform at the Grand Finale Concert. Note that non-competing Preliminary Round Showcase Acts/Guest Solo Artists are NOT eligible to perform at the Grand Finale. __________________________ COVERS VS. ORIGINALS: Short answer: Entirely up to you. Long answer: Our judges adjudicate based on your overall sound and creativity. The more original music you play, the more clear it is to them what your sound is. Pro tip for cover bands: highlight your sound and play songs that match each other. Also find ways to feature songs that don't match one another, but play them in your style. __________________________ SAME OR DIFFERENT SET AT THE GRAND FINALE: With the exception of a different set length (typically ranges from 20-30 min), if you make it to the GF your set can be identical, a mix of old and new, or all new. It's entirely up to you. Most artists do a shorter version of their Friday set. The Grand Finale is mostly all (or, sometimes, entirely all) new judges... so it doesn’t really matter too much. __________________________ HOW BANDS WIN THE FESTIVAL: Artists compete in the summer during Preliminary Concerts (PC). Judges select one winner of each PC. If you win your PC, you will advance to the Grand Finale Concert (GFC). If you do NOT win your PC you are not necessarily out of the running. BJFA selects four “Wild Cards” that also advance to the GFC along with the four PC winners. Just because you don’t win your PC doesn't necessarily mean you won’t be competing in or performing at the Finale! At the GFC, judges will narrow the eight competition acts down to two. Those final two will then do a head-to-head showdown playing one single song that was not in their main set. The judges will then re-vote based solely on that one song (with the help of audience cheers), and a Grand Champion is crowned! __________________________  NETWORKING: We strongly encourage you to introduce yourselves to the other performers, to the judges, and to the Band Liaisons and festival staff, too! All the performers are in the same boat. Help each other out, see if other performers need a hand with anything, ask for help if you need help yourself, support one another even on nights when you’re not playing – this includes supporting one another on social media and tagging your competition! Over the past two decades, we’ve seen countless lasting musical connections and friendships (and even new bands) that form as a result of the Bitter Jester Music Festival! It’s a really unique experience but it’s up to you to make the most of it. The Judges also tend to look quite favorably on bands that “play well” off stage. Come to the other shows! Cheer for the other bands! Remember: Wild Cards are chosen, in no small part, based on the attitude and sportsmanship exhibited in addition to musical ability.

BJMF is a well-established, professional, and highly respected summer-long music festival. Our goal is to provide young musicians with quality concert experiences, networking opportunities, valuable educational feedback (both written & verbal), and prizes including cash, MVP awards, music-related products and gear, studio recording time, audio mixing, and more!

BJMF is geared toward showcasing (and rewarding) the best, young, independent bands from across Chicagoland and the Midwest and beyond (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio. This Event fosters an atmosphere of supportive competition. It’s competitive, not combative.

Not all applicants are accepted to participate but all submissions are treated equally and BJMF has made a name for itself as a networker and connector of musicians, even those who don't make it into the festival or those who make it but do not win.

BJFA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Public Charity established to produce live music and theatrical productions of new and classic works as well as other forms of literary and performing arts/media.

It works to strengthen the arts and support emerging artists by encouraging persons to explore artistic expression and by promoting the benefits of the arts to the general public. BJFA establishes and maintains strong relationships and partnerships with other like-minded charitiable organizations and businesses, too.

In the future, BJFA has plans to provide scholarships and grants to fine and applied arts students and is actively saving to make this dream a reality.

Nicolas DeGrazia, BJFA’s Artistic Director and the Founder/Producer of its Music Festival, is a former musician (trombone & piano). Nic is a seven-time Emmy® award-winning director and producer who met his business partner on the first day of Marching Band Camp their freshman at Highland Park High School. Nic played in numerous wind ensembles, orchestras, and jazz/pep/marching bands throughout high school and college and was 1st Trombone for three years in the University of Miami’s “Band of the Hour" and the UM "Gale Force Winds" satellite band. Music is at the core of the Foundation and it's part of the reason why the festival came to be.

BJMF's Director of Education, Michael Tseitlin, is a former music fest competitor himself. His passion is on upping the value and quality of the educational components of the festival.
 
As an organization, BJFA strives to foster a collaborative and engaging artistic world. Its main mission is to entertain audiences of all kinds while promoting and producing great art of its own. The annual Bitter Jester Music Festival is an awesome way to showcase up-and-coming musical talent while also helping young performers - the future of the industry - to connect with each other and with well-established industry professionals.

BJFA frequently brings young musicians on various radio and TV programs as well as podcasts for a chance to play (often times live on air) while also promoting the good work that it does!
 
The BJMF is an Event that fills a vacuum. Most teenagers who are “in band” at their high schools are not the same group of musicians who are “in bands” outside of school. Nic and Michael believe that this latter group of very talented musicians is largely underserved and often ignored completely.

Most ‘battles of the bands’ style competitions for musicians aged 12-21 are hosted by either high schools or park districts. While a number of them do a good job, most don’t last more than a few years and many take place in less-than-ideal settings for bands, utilizing sub-standard equipment and no Audio Techs. In our experience, many battles don’t promote themselves well, lack a proper crew and organizational structure, don’t have industry judges, and don’t award much in the way of prizes. Some battles even require participating bands to sell tickets, a practice that we do not condone.
 
The BJMF has been produced every year since 2006 (in 2020 we hosted a Virtual Original Song Competition online) and is professional on every level. From our relationships with sponsors and supporters like Navy Pier, Ravinia Festival, the City of Highland Park, and the Marriott Hotels to our incredible prize packages and educational components, performers get an experience unlike any other. Additionally, they are given access to and guidance from our Emmy-winning Producers and hosts and will work with top-quality Audio Engineers all summer long!

You will get SO MUCH out of this experience and you can't participate if you don't apply. But don't take our word for it... listen to what our past participants have to say.

The Bitter Jester Music Festival is the Midwest's largest professional music competition for rising-star musicians (bands and solo artists alike). BJMF supports and promotes young and emerging talent from across the Midwest.

This event gives participating young adults an opportunity to receive professional feedback from working/touring musicians and to meet and connect with dozens of other performers who are your age. Additionally, you'll get to work hand-in-hand with Bitter Jester Studio’s Emmy award winning producer and an Educational Support Team, providing you with a level of media exposure, professional mentorship, networking, and valuable feedback that is unmatched by other competitions.

There is no other event quite like this one. Click here to read more about our prizes.

This competition and concert series is built on a strong foundation of community and emboldening and empowering young performers like yourself at a critical time in your social and artistic development.

We also believe in making sure our judges are of the highest caliber. No matter what else happens, after you perform you will gain a ridiculous amount of insight into your art and your music from over half a dozen respected professionals.

Unequivocally, YES! Not only is this one of the biggest professional independent competitions for young performers, it’s also the fastest growing. The experience and the connections you'll make with the other performers alone will be worth your time and energy.

Bitter Jester plays host to approx. 100 young musicians each season. Many of them are featured on live radio & TV and our concerts are well attended. Additionally, the prize packages we put together are great ($2,000 for the Grand Champions, $1,000 & $500 for 2nd and 3rd place respectively (courtesy of First Bank of Highland Park), plus other prizes like gear, concert tickets, studio time, and more)!

The quality and quantity of the educational feedback you will receive is unparalleled, especially when it comes to "battle of the bands" type events.

Bitter Jester have a fantastic partnership with the Courtyard by Marriott. They offer a very good room rate to our out-of-town performers and their families and fans. This means that you won’t need to drive back late after any of your concerts. Instead, your band can enjoy a great night’s sleep in town, grab breakfast, and drive back refreshed in the morning. Please contact us for more details!

 

We conduct a semi-annual Application Clinic on Zoom that is available to watch now. This is a great resource for both new applicants and returning bands. In it you'll learn more about the festival and get insight from festival producers on how to submit the strongest possible application, how to stand out in a crowded field, and other helpful tips and tricks.

Click the image to watch the clinic. Click here to download the info packet.

 In addition to answering questions, you will need the following to apply:

• Contact / other info for each performer;
• Emergency contact info for each performer;
• Two (2) music samples (you must upload files - no links);
• A hi-res photo of your band (you must upload a 300 dpi or higher image);
• A stage plot (you must upload a drawing of your band's layout);
• Your application fee (paid via PayPal or credit/debit card);
• Agreement to hold the date of our current GF open in your calendars.

 

Every band must submit two (2) audio recordings representative of their style and abilities. These do NOT need to be professionally recorded. Please do your best so submit audio and not video.

We also require you to submit a link to a live performance or two. While this is not judged, per se, the jury will spot check your live performances to ensure that the same quality exists in your audio tracks (namely that you're in the pocket, sound good, and singing is in tune).

For your audio tracks you may want to consider submitting one studio recording and one live recording, but it's up to you. In the end, you should submit your best material with your two tracks and use your live link(s) as a way to say "hey, we also sound great live, too!"

PLease note: Judges always listen to your submitted music in the order you submit it, so keep that in mind when making your first and second selections. Try to tell a story and try to impress the judges!

In order for BJFA to promote your band to the press and its online audience, hi-res (300 dpi or higher) group photos must be included with your Application. Horizontal and vertical options are ALWAYS appreciated.

While these do not need to be professionally produced images, the more clear and creative your photos are, the more likely they will be used in festival promotions.

Yes. There is a non-refundable Application fee of $50 if submitted by the early deadline and $60 if submitted by the final deadline (Solo Artists pay $35 and $45, respectively). Please see the Online Application for current application periods and deadlines. A small online processing fee will also be applied.

“Our band would have gladly paid $100 as an application fee to do this event. For all that we got out of it for as many years as we did it was totally worth it.”

- Spencer Kasper, Elise and the Police

Ineligible entrants are informed/given a chance to correct any issues that might disqualify them. If a band is deemed ineligible to apply, their Application fee will be refunded.

The Application fee covers a portion of the administrative costs associated with processing, handling, and reviewing all Applications to ensure that each submission is given fair and equal attention. There are also ongoing upkeep costs associated with the online submission system. Our applications used to hand written and mailed. The online system has vastly simplified things for applicants (and now we don’t have to struggle to read your terrible handwriting and that’s good for everyone!).

 

"Every year that our band participates we get hired for at least two paid gigs by peeople who hear us. We even got offered a recording deal last year!"

- Sean Seno, The Ska-lers

We welcome and encourage applications from any and all artists - playing any and all styles of music! The only eligibility criterion is that at least half the members of a submitting group must be twenty-one (21) years old or younger at the time the application is submitted. No single performer can be over the age of twenty-four (24).

Solo artists are welcome to apply as long as they are twenty-one (21) or younger. 

Absolutely. You can apply with as many bands as you would like but separate Applications and registration fees are required for each entry.

Yes you can! See “Who is eligible to apply” above.

You may also apply as a band and a solo performer. See “I’m in more than one band – can they all apply” above.

You might. However, we do give entering bands an opportunity to make special scheduling requests in their Applications so that situations like this can be avoided. While we cannot guarantee that such requests will be honored, we try our best to accommodate.

Up to twenty-four (24) bands will compete in downtown Highland Park each summer. Eight (8) of them will advance to the Finals with two (2) making it to a final showdown on the night of the GFC. A Grand Champion and a Runner-Up shall be crowned each year as well as an Honorable Mention (3rd Place) Band.

Additionally, individual performers will receive "Musician of the Year" awards, which can only be won once in a single category (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Outstanding Instrumentalist (anything other than guitar, bass, or drums)).

Bands submit an online Application consisting of background/contact info, a stage plot, a description of musical styles and competition intentions, two (2) music samples, a photo, and other important information along with an Application fee. Ineligible entrants are informed/given a chance to correct any issues that might disqualify them. If a band is deemed ineligible to apply, their Application fee will be refunded upon request.
 
BJFA’s panel of selection judges (comprised of past and current Music Fest judges, BJFA producers, and Music Festival program directors) then review the eligible entrants and make selections based primarily on musical skill and ability. A band’s ability and willingness to market not only themselves but the Music Fest (i.e. the other performers) as a whole is also very strongly taken into account. Secondary considerations may include musical variety/band member composition, location, good communication skills, evidence of an active social media presence, etc.

Note that returning Competition Acts, Showcase Artists, and Guest Artists are *never* guaranteed a spot in subsoquent festivals. Everything re-sets with the next year's application and you must start over from scratch. Obviously knowing the BJMF system is helpful, but we don't play favorites. We pick who we feel are the strongest submissions.

For clarity, there are three types of performers who make it into BJMF: Competition Acts, Showcase Acts, and Guest Artists. Competitors are those that rose to the top of the given year's applications (approx 25%) and whom we feel are ready to compete and who have a solid chance of winning the entire competition.

SHOWCASE ACTS are those who also had exceptionally strong applications but, in our determination, scored just slightly lower in one or more areas (generally things like pitch/intonation, vocal quality, and being "out of the pocket" rhythmically are the determining factors). Our selection committee also does a deep dive in the later stages of application review to compare live performances to studio tracks. If they struggle to find examples of live performances that are similar to the quality of their studio tracks, it is likely that an applicant won't make Showcase. -- That said, many Showcases could have been competitors were BJMF able to add more days to the festival (which we do not have any plans to do). At a certain point very tough decisions must be made because we can only accept 24 competitors each year. It's worth noting that a significant number of Showcase Artists return and many eventually get "promoted" to Competition Act down the line. If a competition artist drops out for any reason, a Showcase Act will be bumped into the open competition slot.

GUEST ARTISTS are a special group and sometimes includes musicians who are a bit younger or a bit more green or rough around the edges. They may also include bands and other artists who didn't make Showcase but whom we really want to feature and support as much as possible. BJFA will select Guest Artists who show great promise and deserve more opportunities to meet and connect with peers and mentors. Being exposed to the showcases and competitors the night they perform can be a very educational and inspirational experience. The best part about being a Guest Artist is that you will have Showcases and Competition Acts cheering for you and excited to support you as you continue to find your voice and your sound. They've all been there themselves.

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A NOTE ABOUT APPLICATION REVIEWS:

It sometimes takes applicants two or even three attempts before they're accepted into Bitter Jester. This is due not only to the high-quality of the submissions we receive but also the sheer volume of applications from multiple states. You never know who you are "going up against" when you apply.

Art is subjective. For better or for worse, Bitter Jester includes a competition/battle component. And so when you apply and if you compete you should be prepared to be critiqued and receive growth-oriented feedback.

If you are not prepared for the potential of rejection from us, email us and we can try t help you find venues that are performance only.

And while we make every attempt to both create a fair and balanced judging criteria AND to review and reassess those criteria on an annual basis, at the end of the day we are just a group of people who are sharing our personal opinions. And that's all they are: opinions. Do we make mistakes? Sure. But remember that being rejected from Bitter Jester is not a reflection of the worth or value of your art. It's a reflection of the two specific songs you submitted and how those two songs stack up against dozens upon dozens of other submissions. Weak applications will not make the cut. Since you have no way of knowing what the strong applications look like on any given year, just put your best foot forward and know that this is one small step on your lifelong journey as an artist.

A NOTE TO ANGRY PARENTS:

Every once in a while, the occasional parent gets very upset with us that their child is not selected to compete... or not selected to perform as a Showcase or Guest Artist... or that they are selected to compete but then do not win their Preliminary Round... or that they do not win their Preliminary Round and then are also not selected as a Wild Card... or that they are selected as a Wild Card but do not make it to the top three at the Grand Finale... or that they make it to the top three but then come in second (interestingly, parents of "winning" bands have never complained 🤔).

Those angry parents will sometimes express their extreme horror and dismay to us in vary colorful and animated ways, like booing other people's children at our concerts. To those parents, we have two equally important statements: 1) Take a breath and do some honest self-reflection. We are a volunteer-run non-profit children's music festival. Please don't boo children. And 2) We want to affirm that your child is special. In fact, the entire Bitter Jester staff is comprised of special snowflakes whose parents love them more than the world and know they are more talented than anyone else's child (thanks Bitter Jester Moms and Dads!).

Also to those parents: we hear you (it's sometimes impossible not to). And all joking aside, your kids are awesome and they deserve every opportunity possible. If we can help them, we will. Just please remember that Bitter Jester receives way more applications than we have available slots and, by simple math, not everyone who applies will be accepted. This is akin to applying to any art or theatre festival or university, for that matter.

We appreciate that Bitter Jester is important enough for you to get so angry about that it ruins your week. Here is a helpful list of tips you can discuss with your child to help them should they decide to re-apply to Bitter Jester or if they're looking for even bigger and better opportunities down the road.

We review previous applications when artists re-apply. Notes on communications with parents are included in those reviews. We have *never* rejected a band because of who their parents are. But boy have we talked about it!

No. Due to a limited number of performance slots and in an effort to maintain a high level of performance quality, not every artist that applies is selected to perform at Bitter Jester.

The annual festival lineup consists of twenty-four (24) competition bands plus a number of non-competing showcase acts and guest solo artists (typically 2-4 per night) for a total of approximately 40 artists each season (approx. 150-160 musciains).

In 2024, 51% of applications were accepted into the festival; 27% of applications were accepted into the competition.

• PC = Up to six (6) bands will compete against each other at each of the four PC’s.

• GFC = Up to eight (8) bands will compete against one another in a final competition.

• NP = “Best Of” concerts at NP are not competitions – they are purely showcase events.

All bands are evenly judged based on the following criteria, each worth 10 points:

1) GROOVE & FOUNDATION (tightness, rhythmic accuracy, balance)

2) MUSICIANSHIP (how well do musicians know thier instruments; cohesion, solos)

3) VOCALS & TONE QUALITY (pitch, harmony, vocal accuracy, instrumental tone quality)

4) CREATIVITY & ORIGINALITY (your "artistic identity" - unique look and sound, original music / songwriting or creative and unique interpretations of covers)

5) STAGE PRESENCE  (commanding the stage, engaging the crowd, well-executed transitions, overall professionalism)

6) SHOW PLANNING & PREPARATION (song selection, running order, preparation of transitions, well-rehearsed)

Each judge can assign a maximum of 60 points to a band (10 points per category x 6 categories).

Pro Tip: All things being equal, Judges often place more weight on original music and/or lyrics than they do on cover songs (though a mix of both is never discouraged). Bands performing only covers should focus on interpretation of the music, sound quality, audience appeal, and overall musicianship and musical skill. In other words: showcase your talent and the content becomes less critical.

All Judges are appointed at the sole discretion of BJFA and all decisions of all Judges are final.Competitors are encouraged to speak with Judges and Festival staff to get feedback and critiques after the competition has concluded.

If your band is instrumental only and does not have lyrics or vocals, don’t worry! For the "VOCALS & TONE QUALITY" category (see "How are bands scored/judged" above), judges simply rate "tone quality" and focus on instrumental lead-lines. For all-instrumental solo performers, judges focus on instrumental pitch accuracy and lead-lines.

Bitter Jester Music Festival judges are a hugely diverse and ecclectic group of award-winning musicians, music educators, recording artists, touring musicians, studio recording artists, music experts, and entertainment professionals including radio DJs, podcast hosts, and television personalities. Many are former Bitter Jester winners and competitors and a select group are music aficionados and influencers. There are typically five (5) or seven (7) judges at each PC and seven (7) or nine (9) judges at the GFC providing both a well-rounded judging panel and a trove of valuable feedback for our performers.

Additionally, our Director of Education, Michael Tseitlin, is a non-scoring judge at all PC's providing real-time audio feedback based on the judging rubric. This audio is provided to bands along with their scores after their PC (see "What feedback does my band receive" below). Michael then becomes one of the seven GFC judges and is often the only judge to have previously heard all GFC competitors giving him a singularly unique perspective. Occasionally another GFC judge will have heard all bands previously but this is pretty rare.

Some of the judges from our 2020 Virtual Original Songwriting Competition:

Absolutely! Our judges are there not just to listen and cast foul judgement upon you, they're also there to share their years of knowledge and varieties of experiences with you as well.

Bitter Jester judges aren't just random people. This isn't the battle of the bands where you'll get no comments at all or just a few words from a football coach, a city countil member, and a parent. Bitter Jester judges are all working entertainment professionals.

Every judging panel consists of award-winning musicians, music educators, recording artists, music experts, entertainment professionals, radio DJs, music producers, and an occasional extrememly knowledgible music afficionado or music influencer thrown in for good measure.

Each and every band (and solo artist) that competes receives a treasure trove of feedback and information to help them grow and evolve as artists.

You're not required to incorporate anything that you're told but we encourage you to at least consider the feedback from our judges and to speak with them after the show. These are all well-connected and very giving people (or they wouldn't be volunterring their time!).

Every competition band receives:

• Numerical scores from each judge
• Written feedback from each judge
• Real-time verbal feedback (recorded live during your performace) from our Director of Education and members of our extended Education Team
• Graphical chart comparing your scores by judge
• Graphical chart comparing your category placements compared to the other bands on your night
• An unedited audio copy of your performance (a board feed)

Showcase performers do NOT receive judging feedback or scores. We are able to offer showcase performers a board feed recording from their performace and, in most cases, recored verbal commentary as well.

Every performer at Bitter Jester also gets access to FREE concert photography and multi-track recordings of their concerts! These multitracks are the source material that creates our annual Live at Bitter Jester vinyl albums!

 

The winning band of each PC will be announced after all bands that night have played and after the Judges have tallied their scores. If you win your PC, you will automatically advance to the Finals held at the GFC in Highland Park, IL. Judges at the GFC will narrow the Finalists down to two (2) Playoff Bands and the audience will cheer for a winner as the judges re-vote based on only the final playoff song.

If you don't win your PC don't lose hope! After the last PC is done, BJFA Producers and Directors meet for an intensive weekend for our annual Wild Card Band selection (see "What is this “Wild Card” thing all about?").

Just because you don't win your PC doesn't necessarily mean you won't be competing as a Finalist at te GFC!

It's important to stay engagaged throughout June. All things being equal, seeing that a band that lost their PC is still coming to shows or supporting other BJMF bands online definitely gets noticed and remembered.

Every year, lots of fantastic bands compete but do not win their PCs. As a result, BJFA always selects several WCBs to advance to the GFC. The WCBs are all considered equal competitors and are eligible to win all prizes and titles. The WCB announcements will be made on the Monday after the last PC. If you don’t win your PC, don’t be discouraged: at least four (4) WCB’s have gone on to be crowned Grand Champions and several others have placed in the top three.

WCBs are chosen at the sole discretion of BJFA producers and staff and not by the PC Judges. Selections are made based on a combination of things including audience appeal, attitude, sportsmanship, Judges’ scores/recommendations, PC audio recordings, proven marketing ability, online engagement, and patent-pending, good ol’ fashioned American magic. More than one WCB may be selected from a single PC. Similarly, a PC may result in a winner but no WCB being chosen.

WCBs are selected from amongst all competitors who did not win their PCs. So this means that if you do not win your PC, hang in there and stay engaged throughout the month of June! Help promote the other competitions and be a team player. Tag BJMF on Instagram and FaceBook! Support your fellow musicians. BJFA will announce the WCB selections after all PCs have taken place.
 
Also, here’s a little not-so-secret secret that will serve you well in any line of work, especially in the creative arts: “When one door closes, another door opens.” Good things have happened to virtually all past participants, regardless of whether or not they won the Grand Championship (or even their PC)! Bands regularly get hired to play paying gigs by audience members and sponsors. Over 100 musicians have been featured playing live on radio and television. The ability to work with a professional crew in front of a large audience (especially one that has never heard you before) is always a reward.

Does it suck not to win? Of course. Should you try again next year? Absolutely! And keep in touch with us in the meantime. We're always looking for ways to showcase young performers.

After the Judges narrow the eight (8) Finalist Bands down to the top two (2) Finalists, their job is done and they no longer participate in terms of scoring. The two (2) Finalist Bands then each play a single song not from their set list and the audience cheers for their favorite band.

The final decision is made based on a reading from the Official Bluegrass Restaurant Decibel Meter. The band with the highest decibel reading is then crowned “Grand Champion" and the second place band is crowned “Runner-Up.” This means that it is imperative that you bring all the family, friends, and fans that you can to cheer for you on the 4th!

An email with more details is sent to all Finalists prior to the GFC. An Honorable Mention (3rd Place) Band is also selected by the Judges but does not participate in the final playoff.

In addition to awarding prizes and trophies to bands, each year we also give out Musician of the Year Awards to individual outstanding performers! These can only be won ONCE, so it's quite an elite club. Check out our previous winners here.

The following categories are recognized:

• Guitarist of the Year
• Bassist of the year
• Drummer of the Year
• Vocalist of the Year
• And...

To recognize instruments not in the above four main categories, starting in 2021 we began giving out the "Michael Brook Instrumentalist of the Year Award" (named after a BJMF Grand Prize winner who played saxophone but was never eligible to win an award becasuse we had no category that was appropriate. This serves as "[Instrument] of the Year" so that every musician who performs at our Grand Finale is eligible, which is great!

In the past, many of these individual musicianchip awards consisted of professional photo shoots, prize bags full of awesome gear, $250 and $500 gift certificates, unique/vintage instruments, and brand new instruments. In 2021 we transitioned to beautiful hand crafted brass medallions designed by Christy Knapp and Nicolas DeGrazia and expertly produced by Bennett Awards.

Some additional prizes are also award courtesy of various BJMF sponsors, but that is not guanrateed and not every medallion also comes with additional prizes.

 

Absolutely – and you should! If you're musically active and keep practicing and performing you’ll likely have a better chance the following year. This is a highly competitive event and we have a limited number of performance slots but don't let that discourage you. You definitely won't get accepted if you don't apply.

Yes you may! While this does make it harder for new bands to win, we have had several Grand Champions lose their titles to brand new bands! Just because you won doesn’t necessarily mean you will again... or does it?

All bands are welcome to re-apply. We've had numerous bands participate many years in a row. Many have lost their PCs in years one or two and make it to the Finals in subsequent years.

• PCs = Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

• GFC = The Lot, 525 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

• NP = Miller Lite Beer Garden at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

• Ravinia Festival = Carousel Stage, 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

• PC = All PCs begin at 7:00 pm and conclude by 11:00 pm.

• GFC = The GFC begins at 4:00 pm; Fireworks begin immediately after the concert and last ~30 min.

• NP = The “Best Of” concerts typically begin at 1:00 pm and last until 8:00 pm – this is not set in stone.

There are five (5) competition concerts every summer with bands competingin, at most, two of them (1 PC + the GFC). Navy Pier in Chicago (and other partners of this Event) offers select Finalists (i.e. winning bands and WCBs) an opportunity to perform at various showcase concerts at NP downtown, Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, and elsewhere. In other words, if you win your PC or get selected as a WCB … you may win a chance to play Navy Pier or Ravinia (opening for a national headliner)!
 
The preliminary rounds consist of four (4) PCs. These take place on Friday nights, typically in June, rain or shine. In a year when there are five (5) June Fridays, the PCs will be on the first four Fridays. The GFC is the fifth and final competition and is comprised of a battle between the eight (8) Finalists followed by a playoff showdown between the top two (2) Finalsts. Judges score all Finalist Bands in the first portion of the evening, narrowing them down from eight (8) to two (2) Finalist Bands. This concludes the Finals. A playoff showdown then take place immediately with the top two Finalists each playing one (1) single song not from their main set. The audience determines the Grand Champions by means of cheers and applause (Judges do not participate in the Finals).

All of the Concerts are weather-dependent as they are all held outdoors. When bands market themselves well and promote the concerts to their families and fans, we have seen crowds of 400-600 at Port Clinton Square for the PCs.

At the GFC, there will be several thousand people in attendance as the concert goes on.

At the NP “Best Of” concerts, a rotating audience of tourists, Chicago residents, and fans of the bands will always be in attendance. Estimated attendance at NP is 3,000 over the course of the day.

Our Showcase Concerts at Ravinia Festival can have audiences that number between 8,000 and 15,000 depending on the headliner.

Since 2015, BJFA has partnered with NP to produce multiple “Best of the Bitter Jester Music Festival” showcase concerts. We are excited to say that this is one of the grand prizes offered to Finalists! While BJFA cannot guarantee that every Finalist band will be able to perform at NP, in the past, most have. If scheduling conflicts arise, other competition bands that did not make it to the Grand Finale will be asked to participate at NP. Bands perform for the public at the Miller Lite Beer Garden on the pier.

“We’re excited to welcome these talented young people, the best of the best Bitter Jester Music Festival winners, to entertain families who love live music in our Miller Lite Beer Garden. Throughout our 100 year history, Navy Pier has helped launch the careers of many talented musicians. We hope these bands can use this opportunity to further their own dreams.”

- Jennifer Kramer, Dir. of Special Events for Navy Pier

Since 2021, BJFA has partnered with Ravinia Festival (the oldest outdoor music pavillion in the US that can seat approx 13,500 people) to provide one Finalist each summer the opportunity to open for a national headliner at Ravinia on their beautiful Carousel Stage.

Past Headliners have included the Charlie Puth, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Steve Miller Band.

  

  “Top performers coming out of the bitter Jester Music Festival will have a home at Ravinia, enjoying an annual Carousel Stage opening spot for some of the nation’s biggest acts.”

- Erik Soderstrom, Senior Artistic Producer, Ravinia Festival

• PC = You are expected to arrive no later than 4:20 pm to load-in & set-up. An “All-Band Meeting” will take place at 4:45 pm – PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL BAND MEMBERS ARE READY FOR THIS. Playing order will be announced at the All-Band Meeting.

• GFC = If you advance to the GFC, call time is typically 8:00 am. Sound checks typically take place between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. If you cannot arrive at 8 am, let us know ASAP. 

• NP = Details will be sent in an email prior to the NP Events. In the past, these “Best Of” concerts have taken place between 1:20 pm and 8:00 pm with staggered arrivals beginning at noon – one hour before your band is scheduled to start playing.

Bands only need to bring their instruments (including drum kit*) and whatever backline they require (amps, etc). If you have any special requests or requirements, please address them in the appropriate section of your Application. Per your signed Agreement, CHP & BJFA will provide Audio Engineers, Emcees, electricity, and lighting for all Concerts. Mics, stands, cables, speakers, and a professional crew will also be provided. A Front of House Manager and a Stage Audio Technician will be on site for the PCs and a larger crew will be on site for the GFC. You are encouraged to collaborate with other bands if you need last-minute items.

• PC = Be prepared to play a twenty-five (25) minute set for your PC.

• GFC = Bands must play a tight thirty (30) minute set at the Finale. Judges will mark you down if you miss this target in either direction. A BJFA Production Manager will assist you with this.

• NP = Bands play a longer set at NP. The exact time will be determined at a later date but, in the past, sets have ranged from forty to ninety (40-90) minutes. A NP staff member will assist you with this.

The Preliminary Concerts are all standalone events with different bands and different judges each night. Performers ONLY need to perform at one Preliminary Concert. We strongly encourage folks to come for the full weekend (or both weekends!). We offer a good hotel group rate at a local Marriott to help facilitate this. Consider coming back on Sat. if you performed on Fri, or come out the night before your show to check out the competition, meet the BJMF team, and then come back with a great lay of the land).

BJMF is fun, most of all, but it's also helpful to see who else is performing and not be walk into a venue with zero sense of the space (especially when it's a competition).

If you're competing and you win your Prelim (or are selected as a Wild Card), you would then ALSO need to perform at the Grand Finale Concert. Note that non-competing Preliminary Round Showcase Acts/Guest Solo Artists are NOT eligible to perform at the Grand Finale.

• PC = Please talk to an official Bitter Jester Band Liaison or an Audio Technician and ask where to stage your gear and instruments. Once you’ve unloaded, be prepared to meet with your concert Emcee (typically Nicolas DeGrazia)to share info about you and your band so that you can be introduced and promoted properly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help!

• GFC = Please check in with the Assistant Production Managers as soon as you arrive and ask where to stage your gear and instruments and where to park. Once you’ve unloaded, be prepared to meet for one hour with BJMF Producer (Nicolas DeGrazia) and Production Manager (Daniel Drake) to go over all the events of the day. After sound checks, you will need to share info about you and your band with one of the concert Emcees so that you can be introduced and promoted properly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help!

• NP = Please check in with the Production Manager on-site (an email will identify this person).

• PC = The best place to unload gear is on Second St, immediately west of Walker Bros Pancake House. DO NOT BLOCK THE EMERGENCY ACCESS WAY BEHIND WALKER BROS! You can also unload on Central Ave, north of Port Clinton Square. Once you arrive, please talk to an official Bitter Jester Band Liaison or Audio Technician about where to stage your gear. The performance space (not a stage) will be set up to accommodate two (2) bands at a time for all PCs. “Band One” and “Band Two” will set up simultaneously. Then, while “Band Two” plays, “Band One” will break down as “Band Three” sets up, etc.

• GFC = An email with more details will be sent to all Finalists prior to the GFC.

• NP = An email with more details will be sent to all participants prior to the NP Events.

We have Band Liaisons at every competition. A Band Liaison is a former competitior - they're someone who has been in your shoes but now they know our event, our staff, what it's like to win (and to lose) this event, and most importantly, they know how to help our performers feel comfortable.

In addition to helping you set up and answering many of your questions, their main job is to help you and your bandmates connect and network with the judges and the other performers. This is just one of the many things that makes Bitter Jester a truly unique event.

Click Here for a 360 virtual tour of our Port Clinton venue + Port Clinton parking Garage (as well as shopping, dining, and proximity to the Highland Park Train Station).

• PC = In addition to street parking, there is ample FREE PARKING in the Port Clinton Parking Garage located directly beneath Port Clinton Square! Access is on the south side of the square, off Laurel Ave. Please check street signs for restrictions/limitations.

• GFC = Event parking info will be sent to all Finalists prior to the GFC. Parking will be FREE to all bands and guests.

• NP = These “Best Of” showcase concerts will have parking fees associated with them for audience members. BJFA provide at least two (2) free parking passes for bands performing at NP (along with a meal voucher for each performer).

• PC = Short of a tornado, all PCs will take place RAIN OR SHINE. If the weather is cold or rainy, fewer people will come to hear you play… but the Judges will still be there. If it rains, we simply push under the raised second floor on the south side of the plaza.BRING EARPLUGS! If we push under the second floor, IT WILL BE EXTREMEMLY LOUD!

• GFC = Please think positive thoughts about having AWESOME WEATHER for the Finale! JThat said, if it looks like rain, the CHP and BJFA will make a determination and a suitable into backup location will be announced for the concert.

• NP = Please think positive thoughts about having AWESOME WEATHER at NP as well!! That said, if it looks like rain, the NP “Best Of” concerts, will, unfortunately, be cancelled.

If you’re curious about what might give you an edge, feel free to contact our Founder/Producer, Nicolas DeGrazia. Nic doesn’t judge the Competition and can speak candidly about numerous past experiences and what the Judges may (or may not) be looking for. Not all bands win all competitions. In fact, you stand a greater chance of losing that you do winning. But the greatest thing about the BJMF (as our testimonials illustrate) is that countless opportunities have been presented to the young musicians who have participated in this Festival each year and who are mentally and emotionally available to receive them… especially in defeat. Many of our success stories come from past “losers” of this competition. :)
 
That said, it’s still awesome to win and you should try your best! Nic is happy to give you advice; you simply need to ask. Above all, have fun and engage with the audience! Rehearse your transitions as much as you rehearse your set – it’s a show, after all. Talk to the Judges after your Performance. Ask them what they liked and, more importantly, what they think you might do to improve. Our Judges are awesome people and great resources. Use them – and be willing to hear what they have to say even if you disagree (which is ok!).
 
Please bring earplugs any time you play in this competition (or in any venue, especially small ones). As musicians, your hearing should be one of your absolute most prized possessions. If you haven’t heard of “tinnitus,” read up on it. Earplugs are available at Walgreens and many other places and are well-beyond their worth. We cannot stress this enough. Nic was 1st Trombone in numerous bands in high school and college, including marching band. He was one of the loudest horn players the University of Miami had seen. In rehearsals his sophomore year at UM, playing with 200 other horns in a concrete room, Nic's damaged his hearing and developed tinnitus. Point of fact: it really sucks. It's maddening. You don’t want it.
 
In closing: at the end of the day, while the Judges make the final decisions as to which bands win and which do not, youshould be the ones to ultimately decide what you want to do and how you want to do it. And if what you do means you likely won’t win … do it anyway. If you choose to change what you do because you think you could win as a result, do so with caution. At the end of the day, we believe you should be producing the art and music that makes you happy. If you can make lots of money doing it, even better... but don’t let that be your driving force.
 
Judges are just people with opinions. They’re usually much more experiencedpeople with very good and provenopinions, but they’re just people. BJFA always endeavors to select GREAT Judges with GREAT opinions and some are better than others… but none of them is you. This event – even if you only play in a single PC, don’t win, and decide never to try it again – is all about opportunity and growth. Make the most of it! You may be surprised how far that alone will carry you.

Nope! All main Concerts are FREE and open to the public + all competition concerts have FREE PARKING! Tell your friends! :) Please note that NP and Ravinia concerts (and other Satellite concerts) will have parking fees associated with them for audience members due to those venue's requirements.

BJFA provides at least two (2) free parking passes for bands performing at Navy Pier. Parking will be free for performers at Ravinia.

Family and friends of performers at Navy Pier, Ravinia, etc. will need to pay for parking.

PC = In addition to street parking, there is ample FREE PARKING in the Port Clinton Parking Garage located directly beneath Port Clinton Square! Access is on the south side of the square, off Laurel Ave. Please check street signs for restrictions/limitations.

Click Here for a 360 virtual tour of our Port Clinton venue + Port Clinton parking Garage (as well as shopping, dining, and proximity to the Highland Park Train Station).

Parking for all PC's is FREE, open to the public, ADA-accessible.

Please note that NP and Ravinia concerts (and other Satellite concerts) will have parking fees associated with them for audience members due to those venue's requirements. For the GFC, event parking will be FREE and accessible.

BJFA provides at least two (2) free parking passes for bands performing at Navy Pier. Parking will be free for performers at Ravinia.

Family and friends of performers at Navy Pier, Ravinia, etc. will need to pay for parking.

At our PC's we offer delicious Judy’s Pizza, available for everyone all night long! We’re also excited to have beer and wine available from Steep Ravine Brewing Co. for our of-age audience members along. Soft drinks and water are also available for sale. Water is provided for free for performers.

We have a food and drink / food truck vendors at our GFC. Alcohol will be sold to of-age patrons.

No performer - regardless of age - is permitted to drink at any BJMF concerts. BJMF staff and judges do not drink at concerts.

 

Yes! We believe it's extremely valuable for you to have access to recordings of your concerts for posterity. The ability to enjoy listening to your performances is almost as important as being able to analyze and learn from them.

We also believe that – many years from now – you will cherish the recordings as part of the historical record of your early years as musicians. We do our best to record the audio of all PCs and the GFC and we do our best to capture video and photos of the GFC. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee photos or video of the PC’s. Barring any technical mishaps (which do occasionally happen), copies of available photos and video will be available from BJFA for a nominal price per the terms of your signed Agreement.

Audio recordings from competition concerts are provided to all bands along with the complete judges' scoring packet. See "Do the judges share their scores" or "What feedback will my band receive" above.