Performing Arts: Smokefree Rockquest

Smokefree Rockquest is one of New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event to give young musicians a unique opportunity to shine and perform live in a professional setting. This exhilarating competition challenges young musicians to write original songs and perform in concerts showcasing their talents at concerts all throughout the country. The competition is split into two parts with students competing as a band or as a solo/duo act. The competition has been a steppingstone for many well-known musicians with past participants including the likes of Anika Moa, the Kora brothers, Bic Runga, Evermore, Joel Little, Brooke Fraser, Kimbra, The Checks and many more.

The North Shore Regionals for bands were held on the 17th May at Auckland Girls Grammar. The regionals featured performances from over 50 bands from schools across the North Shore. Long Bay College was well represented with students in 7 different bands performing at the event. The event was judged by two professional musicians, and they selected the top 12 bands to progress through to the regional finals to be held on the 14th June.

Exciting news, the following four bands with Long Bay College members were selected to progress to the regional final level: Alacrity, Feynman’s Constant, Rumpus Machine and Shallow Dive. They will now have the opportunity to perform two original songs at the regional finals, which will be held at Auckland Girls Grammar on the 14th June.

The solo/duo category will be held at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre on the 26th May with four acts from Long Bay competing in the Solo/Duo competition.

Join us in celebrating the incredible talent and hard work of our young musicians. Smokeferee Rockquest is more than a competition-it’s a launchpad for the next generation of NZ’s music legends!

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