After three months of preparation, one ASU student is hoping to help "save the music" and put on a good show while he's at it.
Broadcasting freshman Howard Henley has organized a Battle of the Bands contest at the Arizona Ballroom in the Memorial Union today at 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Save the Music Foundation in an effort to keep music in school programs, Henley said.
"I wanted to go the extra mile and put together a huge event like this," said Henley, who also works at the ASU campus radio station, The Blaze 1260 AM.
What: Battle of the Bands
When: Today from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Arizona Ballroom, 2nd Floor of the MU
Cost: $4
Seven music groups from ASU and elsewhere will compete for a cash prize at the event, Henley said. He added that there would be a variety of music at the concert, including rap, folk, acoustic and heavy metal.
"The judges will be the audience, and the band that has the most applause wins," Henley said.
Depending on the amount of ticket sales sold, he said a majority of the proceeds would go toward the Save the Music Foundation because of the importance of having music in one's life. He said it is unfair that school districts are taking away money that funds music programs.
"You can heal any wound with music," Henley said.
Mass communication junior Ben Harris said he agreed with Henley.
"Without music, everything is plain," he said. "You need music in your life."
Harris, who is in one of the hip-hop groups competing at today's Battle of the Bands, said people should come and support this cause.
"I also want people to hear our good music," he said.
Henley said that with today's ticket sales, he hoped they could raise a large amount of money to save music. "We are hoping for at least 150 people to come," he said.
Tickets are $4 and will be on sale today outside the MU from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reach the reporter at pamela.j.coffman@asu.edu.
