Applications for the annual Battle of the Bands, students' chance to kick off Rites of Spring, are now available in Sarratt 207.

The application requires a written component and an audio sample, and each band must contain at least one Vanderbilt student to qualify.

"That way we can cater to the student body and let them be a part of the festival," said Dunc Fulton, co-chair of The Music Group, which organizes Rites of Spring.

Students are allowed to play covers of songs but are encouraged to play their own music as well.

Applications are due Thursday, April 12. The Music Group will then select 10 bands to perform at Battle of the Bands and compete for the opening slots.

Battle of the Bands will take place in Sarratt Cinema on Thursday, April 19.

Fulton said the judges for the competition have not been decided yet but may include Blair professors.

Previous winners include now well-known bands such as The Bluff.

"They were at the Battle of the Bands last year, and since then, they've played in Nashville at Exit/In and played at various fraternity parties and Bar Car," Fulton said.