Annual Texas Youth
Music Festival
Talented high school and middle schoolers participating in the Texas Youth Music Festival have an opportunity to compete before a panel of industry professionals to win the grand prize of a coveted Orb Recording session to record their original single.
Texas Youth Music Festival 2025
Talented middle and high school musicians will take center stage at the 2025 Texas Youth Music Festival, a FREE three-day, high-energy event celebrating young musical talent from across the Lone Star State!
Kate Bass is one of our judges this year. She is an internationally recognized singer, songwriter, and creative leader who has performed on stages from Carnegie Hall to Broadway, as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, and in Emmy-, Grammy-, and Tony Award–winning productions. She was featured on the Grammy-nominated SONY release Untold, appeared in the Broadway and PBS-aired revival of Carousel with Kelli O’Hara and Jessie Mueller, and her voice and compositions have been heard in award-winning works at major international film festivals from SXSW in Austin to Milan and Venice. Gary Platt, co-founder of the well-known private media arts college, Full Sail University located in Florida. From 1978 onward, Gary has had the opportunity to work with major label artists, working around the world, racking up a dozen RIAA Gold and Platinum awards for his engineering, mixing, and production work. Prince (w/Sheila E), Bon Jovi, CheapTrick, Midnight Star, New Edition, Ohio Players, King Crimson, Eric Sermon, Prodigal, Bill Champlin (of Chicago) The Cult, Adrian Belew, Shaq O’Neal (3 platinum’s), Lenny LeBlanc, Bootsy Collins, The New Mickey Mouse Club (w/Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilera) and others have been clients. Gary says, “I am on the lookout for some great Austin musical talent.”
The contestants would love it if you would cheer them on at the Battle of the Bands to be held Saturday, October 4 at 7pm as they compete before these industry pros for a grand prize to record at Orb Recording Studios and other great prizes! This highly competitive event will be held at Bee Cave Arts Foundation studio located at 12912 Hill Country Blvd F160, Bee Cave TX 78738. Suggested ticket donation is $10 at the door.
Presented by the Bee Cave Arts Foundation and The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, this unique festival gives student garage bands the opportunity to perform, connect, and grow, all with guidance from professional musicians and music industry insiders.
Calling All Texas Student Rockstars!
Submit Your Band
for the 2025 Texas Youth Music Festival!
We’re excited to invite talented middle and high school musicians to take center stage at the 2025 Texas Youth Music Festival, a FREE three-day, high-energy event celebrating young musical talent from across the Lone Star State!
Presented by the Bee Cave Arts Foundation and The Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts, this unique festival gives student garage bands the opportunity to perform, connect, and grow — all with guidance from professional musicians and music industry insiders.
Festival Highlights | October 3–5, 2025
Friday, Oct 3 | 7 PM – Meet the Judges: Kick off the weekend with engaging discussions with music professionals and Improv music activities to spark creativity.
Saturday, Oct 4 | 7–10 PM – Battle of the Bands: The main event! Selected bands will perform live in an indoor concert setting with immersive light art installations.
Sunday, Oct 5 | 12–3 PM – Master Class & Jam Sessions: Interactive workshops and collaborative jams to strengthen skills, spark creativity, and build confidence.
🏆 Grand Prize: A professional recording session at Orb Recording Studio, plus additional prizes!
How to Enter
Open to middle and high school students across Texas
FREE to enter
Bands must submit a performance audition (YouTube or streaming link) for jury review. Original or cover songs accepted. Selected bands will be notified upon acceptance.
Submission deadline: September 3, 2025 (by midnight)
Submit here: https://forms.gle/9kUUse17FTPGPt297
Or, register here >>>
