Online Battle of The Bands 2021-22

Jeremy Meddows-Taylor

Head of Performing & Creative Arts Faculty, Bromsgrove International School, Thailand Co-Chair of FOBISIA Music Executive

From October 2021 to March 2022, the FOBISIA Music Executive Committee was delighted to host the FOBISIA Online Battle of the Bands 2022. Involving over 220 students from 29 member schools, it was fantastic to receive entries from 40 different bands!

Schools were invited to prepare a video submission between three and five minutes long, either of a recorded live performance or an edited virtual performance. The competition was divided into two categories: Lower Secondary for Key Stage 3, and Upper Secondary for Key Stages 4 and 5.

The competition was judged by a team of guest music professionals, who had a very rewarding time watching the various performances. The judges making the difficult decisions in the Lower Secondary category were Nicholas Philip and Tyler Dodds, while Eugene Kok, Jia Jie Lee and Zaim Zaidee took on the Upper Secondary category. You can find out more about our guest judges here: onlinebotb2022/judges.

In the end it was Tanglin Trust School and Garden International School, Bangkok who were victorious in their respective battles! However, top three placings were awarded in each category:

Lower Secondary: 1st Place: The Bin Rats - Tanglin Trust School 2nd Place: The Storm - Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok Riverside 3rd Place: Jazz You - North London Collegiate School Jeju

Upper Secondary: 1st Place: Buzzkill - Garden International School,Sathorn, Bangkok 2nd Place: Ukiyo - Tanglin Trust School 3rd Place (Joint): Sixth Form Band - Discovery Bay International School Toxic - Harrow International School Bangkok

Each competing band was also awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze for their performance, and the full list of awards can be seen here: onlinebotb2022/results.

All the entries from 2022 can be watched here: onlinebotb2022/performances.

We are now looking forward to the FOBISIA Battle of the Bands 2023, which is being hosted by Bromsgrove International School Thailand. This hybrid competitive event is open to Secondary students in all FOBISIA Member Schools, and will have both live and online categories to enter. For all information and to register your school’s participation, please visit the event website.