Media Release Rockshop Bandquest
Waikato – Bay of Plenty results
Young bands from Waikato - Bay of Plenty played off last night (Sept 5) in Rockshop Bandquest, a live music competition
for primary and intermediate school students.
Founder and director Glenn Common says the contest is the ‘younger sibling’ of Smokefreerockquest, and was launched last
year at the request of teachers who wanted a platform for their students to show off their musical skills.
“There’s a lot more happening at this age level now, thanks partly to the accessibility and affordability of musical
instruments,” Glenn said. “Mainly they are performing covers and the focus of the contest is on playing skill but
there’s also an award for the best original song and for the best original lyrics, to encourage students who are writing
their own music.”
The winners of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty final were:
First place, winning $400 credit from NZ Rockshops was Manawarere Boys Band from Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau.
Second, winning $200 credit from NZ Rockshops was Vibrance from Fairfield Intermediate.
Third, winning $100 credit from NZ Rockshops was Cup of Tea from Kaitao Middle School.
Other awards made:
Best Original Lyrics - Sahara from Te Awamutu Intermediate
Best Original Song - Girlz Record from Marian School
Best Male Vocalist - VT60 from Marian School
Best Female Vocalist - Wahinetapu Murch of Sour Lemons from Taupo Intermediate
Musicianship - Matthew Burtonshaw, the guitarist from Epic, Te Awamutu Intermediate
Stage Presence – Emanon from Pongakawa School
Contests are also being held in Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson and Napier, with an online contest for bands where there
is no regional final.
The national final will be held via the website bandquest.co.nz where video footage from the regionals will be posted on
September 27, with the results announced later that day.
The national winner’s school gets $2000 worth of gear from NZ Rockshops, the event’s naming sponsor.
Find out more at bandquest.co.nz
ENDS