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There was a very small point difference between first and second place during the 2026 Battle of the Bands. Tone Deaf ended on top.

There were eight bands in competition including kids in all grades from MCHS. Each band got 15 minutes to perform their covers and get the crowd going.

MCHS as well as the town itself has always been a very music driven town. Many of the restaurants in town have live bands come in on weekend nights, the school choir and band programs are constantly going to and winning competitions, and McHenry’s Fiesta Days always have live bands on the Peterson Park Beach.

“The school hosts Battle of the Bands because it’s such an integral part of MCHS,” Student Council Vice President Eli Hunt says. “We have such a big band program, choir and Pearl Street Music in the heart of town.”

Battle of the Bands is a tradition at MCHS. There have been many changes on the time and place that would make the most sense while giving the student council the best turnout. The past few years have been mid-second semester in the Freshman Campus auditorium.

Battle of the Bands has been able to bring kids together and created a night where they, as well as the teachers, can come out of the shadows and either sing in front of other music fans or enjoy music with their friends.

“I remember just fully coming out of my shell,” senior Ayden Hirsch says, “singing a song I liked, as opposed to trying to sing high notes like Katy Perry.”