One solo performer and six music bands from Mount Aspiring College (MAC) have been selected to compete in the online regional finals of the Smokefreerockquest competition.

The young musicians were selected after performing one original song in the first stage of the Smokefreerockquest event held in Queenstown on Saturday June 18.

“Every year the students blow me away with their bravery and creativity,” MAC music teacher Mat Doyle said.

“Watching them develop these songs in the lead-up to Smokefreerockquest is a real privilege.”

Students enter the competition in one of two categories; solo/duo or band. 

MAC year 13 student Daisy Orbell placed first in the solo/duo category in Queenstown and must now make a video submission of one new song for selection to the national semi-finals consisting of the top 10 performers in the country.

MAC bands South Face, Parabola, Powder Chutes, Salty Vision, Smal, and Spoken have also advanced to the video submission stage where they will compete to be one of 20 national semi-finalists.

MAC band Spoken (Matilda Metcalfe and Oscar Goodwin) won the Rockshop Best Use of Electronically Assisted Performance at the regional heats.

Mat said the nationwide, original music competition, helps young musicians realise the opportunities available in music careers.

“It gives them a wonderful opportunity to share their songs and get feedback from industry professionals,” he said.

The regional final videos are due by July 10 and the selected semi-finalists will perform at a live event to qualify for the national final on September 24.

At the national final the bands will compete for a $10,000 prize plus recording and music video support and the solo/duo finalists compete for a $3,000 prize and recording and music video support.

Find out more about Smokefreerockquest here.

PHOTOS: Derek Murphy