Rockshop Bandquest 2018 national final results

Media Release: Rockshop Bandquest 2018 national final results


Revolution Radio, from Mount Maunganui Intermediate in the Bay of Plenty have just earned $3000 worth of gear for their school music department, as winners of the nationwide primary and intermediate music contest Rockshop Bandquest.

Music teacher Christine Pearce put the win down to the experience gained by winning the regional final two years in a row and the hard work of James Hughes, whose son Finn is the band’s drummer.

“James is a really talented musician and worked with the kids using this event as the driving force to achieve excellence,” she said. “We’ve already got $500 from our regional win so we’ll have to do some thinking about how we can spend the prize money in the music department.”

The members of Revolution Radio are Finn Hughes (drums), Oscar Kelly (guitar), Pedro Mihailof-Townsend (bass), Ned Johnston (guitar), Katie Parkinson (keys) and Mairangi Te Ahuru Quinn (vocals). As well as the Rockshop vouchers, Revolution Radio will also have their winning song professionally recorded.

Second place went to The Elements, Avondale Intermediate School, Auckland

who won $1000 for their school music department; while 8 Melodies from Whanganui’s Rutherford Junior High School who competed in Hawkes Bay, took third place with a prize of $500 for their school music department.

Now in its eighth year, Rockshop Bandquest is for bands of three or more members, up to Year 8, who play a short set of covers or original songs. There were 215 entries this year, 12 live events and an online contest for bands from outlying regions.

Judge Chris Mac from Six60 said competing in Rockshop Bandquest is a ‘rockstar experience’ for the kids: "The amount of talent these primary and intermediate school students present is incredibly impressive. It is a very cool thing to see young kiwi talent being nurtured along.”

Hamish Jackson from Rockshop says the nationwide chain is very pleased to be making a significant difference to school music departments right around the country.

“In all there have been just on 45 schools that have gained from their students’ success and we know just what great use music departments make of the Rockshop vouchers,” he said. “Past national winners have been able to get set up with a mixing desk and teachers tell us even the regional first prize of $400 credit has doubled the music department budget for the year.”

The full list of awards in the 2018 national finals of Rockshop Bandquest is:

First place winning $3000 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Revolution Radio, Mount Maunganui Intermediate, Bay of Plenty

Second place winning $1000 credit with The Rockshop for their school: The Elements, Avondale Intermediate School, Auckland

Third place winning $500 credit with The Rockshop for their school: 8 Melodies, Whanganui Rutherford Junior High School, (competed in Hawkes Bay)

Best original song winning $200 cash for their school: New Zealand Revival, Ilminster Intermediate, East Coast

Best Vocalists: all singers from What if, Hutt Intermediate, Wellington

Musicianship award: Leon Harman (trumpet), Yoyo, Waimairi School in Christchurch

Rockstar Styles award: Tom Lawrence, guitarist, Sweet Offender, Northcross Intermediate, Auckland

‘Killer’ guitarist award: Nathan Fullerton, Random Riot, Murrays Bay Intermediate, North Shore

Rock-solid bassist award: Harmony Oto, Tawhaki, Bathgate Park School, Dunedin

Rocking drummer award: Hekeawai McDermott, Exit, Casebrook Intermediate, Christchurch

Best keyboardist award: Hiromu Crosado, Jandal Smack, Chisnallwood Intermediate School, Christchurch.

Ends

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