Young musicians ready to take the stage for Rockshop Bandquest

Last year's national winners were Revolution Radio from Mount Maunganui Intermediate. Photo / Supplied

Young musicians are gearing up to take the stage across the country, as 15 Bay of Plenty school bands get ready for Rockshop Bandquest next week.

Rockshop Bandquest is a nationwide music contest for intermediate and primary students and is run by the same team behind Smokefree Rockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, and Showquest performing arts competitions.

Rockshop Bandquest Bay of Plenty will take place next Thursday at Bay Park from 6.30pm.

Last year's national winners were Revolution Radio from Mount Maunganui Intermediate.

Founder and director Glenn Common says Rockshop Bandquest is a vehicle to develop musical talent.

It was clear the event had a lasting impact experience on the participants, he says.

"Rockshop Bandquest likely to be the first experience these kids have on a full set up, with a light show and professionally mixed sound," he said.

"They're performing to a live audience of their peers and families, which is both challenging and confidence building."

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

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

This year over 200 bands around the country have entered Rockshop Bandquest, performing in events run from August 12 to August 31.