BOP musicians prepare for annual Bandquest

'Acoustic Vibes' from Otumoetai Intermediate. Supplied photos.

Young musicians are preparing their performances for the 10th annual Rockshop Bandquest, the nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students.

More than 200 school bands are entering for 2020, making it the biggest year yet for the programme.

Rockshop Bandquest is run by Rockquest Promotions, the team behind Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Showquest performing arts competitions.

Founder and director Glenn Common says Rockshop Bandquest is about more than just developing musical talent.

'There is a great deal of preparation that goes into getting the songs ready for show day. Every band member plays an important role in the overall performance, developing the teamwork, communication, and leadership skills of each student involved.”

As the primary sponsor for the programme, Rockshop Promotions Manager Hamish Jackson says supporting young bands and giving them the opportunity to perform is very much a part of the ethos of the company.

'This programme offers young musicians an insight into how it feels to perform on a professional stage, complete with properly mixed sound, stage lights, and a supportive crew and audience there to encourage them along.

"Every year we see audiences throughout the country blown away with how talented these young people are. A lot of these kids will find a passion for music and performance on this stage, and it means a lot to us to be able to provide that opportunity.”

Rockshop Bandquest Bay of Plenty is on Monday, November 9, at the Baycourt Theatre, start time 6.30pm.

The guest band is ‘OCD' from Papamoa College, who won 1st place band in the regional Smokefreerockquest competition this year.

Rockshop Bandquest is for bands of three to 10 members, up to and including Year 8, who play one or two songs.

There is an award for the best original song to encourage bands to write their own material, but the focus is on performance skills.

This year, more than 200 bands around the country have entered Rockshop Bandquest, performing in events run from November 6 to 16, with three events in Auckland, one in Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Palmerston North, Nelson, three events in Christchurch, one in Dunedin, and an online region for student bands based outside of a location holding an event.

Following the regional events there will be an online national final with results announced on December 4.

The bands who have entered Rockshop Bandquest in the Bay of Plenty are:

Red Band Mount Maunganui Intermediate

"Making Time" Rotorua Intermediate School

ECLIPSE Papamoa College Intermediate

Blue Band Mount Maunganui Intermediate

Vintage Otumoetai Intermediate

5G Bethlehem College

Aroha Te Mana Kaitao Intermediate School

Slept In Bethlehem College

CLaK CLaK Bang Mount Maunganui Intermediate

Origin Otumoetai Intermediate

Turbulence Pillans Point School

GreVouS Greerton Village School

Stuck in the Seventies Bethlehem College

Cliche Otumoetai Intermediate

Tickets to the event on Monday are $10 on the door.

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