Hawke's Bay school bands rock the region

The Pettigrew Stadium in Napier was pumped full of excitement on Friday night as students pushed their vocal chords to the limits in the Rockshop Bandquest and Showquest.

Both events were run by Rockquest Promotions; the team that has been producing Smokefree Rock Quest and Smokefree Tangata Beats across New Zealand for the past three decades.

Eleven Hawke's Bay bands took part, including Flaxmere, Eskdale, Havelock North Intermediate, Tamatea, Napier Intermediate and more.

Founder and director Glenn Common said Rockshop Bandquest was "a vehicle to develop talent," with 15 live events this year as well as an online contest from bands from outlying regions.

"Schools are responding to the opportunity to give young bands' the experience of performing on a fully set up stage, with a light show and professionally mixed sound," he said.

"Really it's all about giving the kids an experience that extends them, that puts them under the pressure that comes with live performance and the exhilaration that is its reward."

Rockquest Auckland promoter Matt Ealand said the teams were judged overall on their performance, soundtracks, costuming, choreography and theme, with the event and performance giving them a major confidence boost for future challenges in life.

"Rockshop bandquest is a confidence builder that lifts their game musically and they tend to take that with them to high schools with proven benefits socially and academically.

"Showquest is structured on a competitive framework, but the driving rationale, as with all the Rock Promotions' events, is to encourage participation, creative growth and team work.

"We find that if we are able to provide a platform where students can express themselves on their own terms within the boundaries of the event, the rewards go far beyond the rush of performing on the day."

Showquest performing art themes included "Freedom from depression", "Our relationship with cellphones", "Men of valour, courage in the face of danger", and "A mixture of dance".

Whanganui based Rutherford High School's 8 Melodies won Bandquest, taking home a $400 credit from The Rockshop for their school.

Second, winning $200 credit, was Thunder from Havelock North Intermediate and third, winning $100 credit, was Vision from Napier Intermediate.

Eskdale School took out $100 cash for their school, the Rockstar Styles Award went to Fraser Ross and the 'Killer' guitarist award went to William Bush from Havelock North Intermediate.

The winning team for Showquest, Havelock North High, chose their theme around the relationship society has with their cellphones, expressed through the metaphor of the circus.

Te Aratika Academy were second with their performance of "Men of valour, courage in the face of danger".

Tamatea High School was third, with Freedom from Depression.

A number of individual prizes were awarded to students such as keyboardist, drummer and guitarist awards.

These went to Amberley Chang, Napier Intermediate, Mason Maraku, Rutherford Junior HS and William Bush, Havelock North Intermediate.

National online finals later in September will determine the top entry nationwide for both Rockshop bandquest and Showquest 2018.