Seven acts featuring students from Trumbull and Mahoning counties were selected to compete in the 2012 Tri-C High School Rock Off at House of Blues.
The 16th annual event is open to all musical genres, but all performers must be enrolled in grade 12 or lower at the time of the competition to be eligible, and at least half of the members of any act must be high school students. The prize package for the winner includes $1,000 cash, studio time and a chance to open for a national act at a concert promoted by Live Nation.
A total of 72 bands were selected for the semi-finals. Twelve bands will compete in each of the six semi-final concerts, and three winners from each concert will advance to the Final Exam on Feb. 11.
Three of the acts are making return appearances.
Burkley, featuring students from Lakeview High School, will be making its third appearance in the competition and will compete in the first semi-final on Jan. 14. The band made it to the finals last year.
And members of Burkley also are part of two other acts that made the cut. Frank Toncar and Zach Nussle also play in the ska band Two Days Until Tomorrow, which will compete on Jan. 22, and Toncar will perform as a solo act in the Jan. 27 semi-final.
Deo Vindice, featuring students from Austintown Fitch and Boardman high schools, also made it to the finals last year. Its chance to repeat starts on Jan. 28. Northern Whale, which made its first Rock Off appearance in 2011, will be part of the Jan. 15 semi-final.
Two Days Until Tomorrow is one of three area acts on the bill Jan. 22. Its competition will include To the Winchester, featuring students from Niles-McKinley High School, and No Clue, featuring students from South Range High School.
Tickets for each semi-final round and the Final Exam are $10.