Smokefree Rockquest at Rotorua's Convention Centre in 2012. Photo / File
Smokefree Rockquest at Rotorua's Convention Centre in 2012. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty schools are well represented at this year's regional heats for the Bay of Plenty Smokefreerockquest.
Held on May 18, the competition is now in its 31st year.
The nationwide high school music event is expecting record entries, with heats and finals held in 21 regions around thecountry from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Smokefreerockquest is run simultaneously with Smokefree Tangata Beats, which aims to nurture Pasifika and Māori culture in a contemporary music setting.
Participants, all enrolled in schools around the region, will perform on a professional stage. They will experience a full set up with stage lighting, sound, a projected backdrop, and technical support in a show that includes a professional guest band and MC.
Founder and director Glenn Common said the benefit for entrants went beyond the rush of performing on the day.
"The creativity, thought and work that goes into preparing a song to present on the day is huge, and goes beyond just musical skill. There is a great sense of pride and achievement to be gained for all the students involved."
The Bay of Plenty bands performing on May 18 from midday are ignition - Tauranga Boys' College Delta - Otumoetai College High Resolution - Bethlehem College Amplified Persona - Western Heights High School Suds - Otumoetai College M.O.M. - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College trooint - Otumoetai College Background Noise - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Bird House - Otumoetai College Drop Dee - Tauranga Boys' College Rift - Bethlehem College The Hills - Te Puke High School O.C.D - Papamoa College CANVAS - Mt Maunganui College, Papamoa College, Tauranga Girls' College Good Morning Good Night - Mt Maunganui College, Mt Maunganui Intermediate icy fire - Rotorua Boys' High School Eryler - Te Puke High School The Green Room - Mt Maunganui College Armed Goldfish - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Hurley caught a rat - Mt Maunganui College Saint Klaed's Computer - Otumoetai College Malaprop - Mt Maunganui College Vibes - Bethlehem College Anointed - Edgecumbe College Orau Stream (Smokefree Tangata Beats) - Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamatā
Solo and duo acts Louie Campbell - Katikati College Sustain - Bethlehem College Walrus - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College RAW - ACG Tauranga Katrina Porter - Otumoetai College Paras - Bethlehem College Brianna Hilton - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Bree - Katikati College Max Harvey - Rotorua Boys' High School Jazz Rice - Papamoa College Oscar Brady - Bethlehem College Shayna Nash - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Kelsie Tong - ACG Tauranga Foreground Noise - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College, Western Heights High School Apollo - Rotorua Boys' High School Cherrysauce - Western Heights High School
Prizes for Smokefree Tangata Beats and the solo-duo category for Smokefreerockquest will be named at the heat, and the top 12 bands will be selected to play off at the Bay of Plenty final on June 29.
The live events run from May 4 until July 5, with the top regional bands and solo/duos submitting footage for selection as finalists to play at the Smokefreerockquest national final on September 14 at the Bruce Mason Centre on the North Shore of Auckland.
Smokefree Tangata Beats national final follows on September 21 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.
