- By Times‘ Junior Journalist Manayah Peiris
Have you ever heard of BandQuest?
The Rockshop BandQuest is an amazing opportunity for kids from local schools to celebrate music and rock out!
This year’s BandQuest saw two east Auckland schools, Somerville Intermediate and Point View School, sending bands to the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna on Tuesday the 27th August.
This was Point View School’s first year competing. Their band was called the Rock Ninjaz and consisted of a tight knit team of nine musicians and vocalists.
Somerville Intermediate has competed a number of times, and this year they sent three Rock Bands – Blinkin’ Pink, So Struck and Somervillains.
The bands had to arrive a few hours early to prepare for the performance. Many of the band members were excited, and many were also nervous.
“I felt a sense of excitement and joy mixed with fear and worry of messing up and letting my whole band down,” said Cameron McPhillips, singer from Blinkin’ Pink.
This annual evening event had many people coming to cheer, sing and dance along with the bands’ songs.
There were 14 bands altogether, coming from schools all over the Manukau region.
Each band performed a set of about six minutes, or two songs. The crowd really got involved through participating in chanting band names and getting up from their seats and dancing.
“During BandQuest, while performing I found the crowd to be very supportive and friendly, they would clap along and cheer, and the environment overall was really supportive,” said Ayana Shandil, one of the singers from the Somervillains.
While the judges deliberated, guests and performers were treated to a performance by RockQuest finalists, Emmerson.
When the judges were ready, all the band members came back onstage for the awards ceremony.
In this award ceremony, Somervillains (Somerville Intermediate) received the award for the most “Rocking Drummer”.
Blinkin’ Pink (Somerville Intermediate) received the award for the best “Rock Star Style”.
Despite being their first year competing, the Rock Ninjaz (Point View School) scooped up two awards.
They won the Killer Guitarist award, and the whole band was ecstatic to receive a second place award!
“I can’t really explain the feeling but it was great. I was flipping out when the MC called our band name. Best feeling ever.” said Damon Cong, a guitarist from the band.
The teachers were all very pleased with the bands’ performances.
“Nothing astounds me more than young people having the confidence to get up on stage and perform with such energy and heartfelt love for their craft,” said Point View School’s music teacher Trina Clark.
“To say I was proud of the Rock Ninjaz achievement is an understatement.
“They worked tirelessly every rehearsal and because of this, not only amazing friendship bonds were formed, but a rock solid foundation for BandQuest 2025.”
The winning band was TM8, from Te Matauranga School, and they won the opportunity to compete in the national final. The third place band was R n Flava, from Holy Cross School.
This event was an incredible opportunity for students to immerse themselves in music performance, and it highlights just how important arts and culture is in this world for the future generations.
- Manayah Peiris is in year 7 at Somerville Intermediate School
