Smokefree Rockquest competition founder and co-organiser Glenn Common has seen a lot of talented secondary school pupils perform at the regional competitions and the national finals, and continues to be thrilled with Rockquest's success.
"The student bands have to write their own music for the competition, which requires considerable discipline, but the technical skills and self confidence benefits they gain from a stage performance are equally massive – some have told me it's the best experience ever for them. Many have gone on to work in the music industry and mentor other up-and-coming musicians."
Rockfest gets out into 23 towns in New Zealand, so the logistics are difficult and production costs are high; the competition relies heavily on donations from organisations like the Otago Community Trust to make sure it isn't just limited to the bigger cities.
This year there were 654 acts on stage across the country, Dunedin band Puzzle Puppets from Otago Boys High School making it into the top 20 nationally.
http://www.smokefreerockquest.co.nz/index.php/regions/map/otago
