This year's Smokefree Rockquest regional final for the Bay of Plenty will be held June 27 as the top bands and solo/duo performers in the region play off in the finals of the competition.
Smokefree Rockquest founder and director Glenn Common said the event offers the entrants on Saturday night a platform for live performance that builds on what they have learnt at school.
"The support that contemporary musicians get in schools these days is evident in the number of young musicians that get to performance standard," he said.
"Secondary school teachers offer tuition and encouragement, create space for bands and soloists to practise, they come along to support them at Smokefreerockquest and help them to get the most value from the experience of entering SFRQ - before, during and after."
The professional performance environment offered by SFRQ included a stage set up with lights, sound, projection and technical support in a show that includes a guest band, MC and lots of giveaways, he said.