Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students have only a few days’ left to polish their performances for the Central Otago Smokefreerockquest regional final.

Forty-seven MAC students will be performing at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Saturday (June 14), along with student bands from across Central Otago.

MAC co-head of arts Mat Doyle said the students have made “a big effort” in preparing for the annual event.

"Students have been rehearsing during lunchtimes, after school, and in their own time for months now,” he said. 

‘For many, the songs they’re performing were developed as part of their NCEA coursework, so it’s been great to see them evolve from rough ideas into fully-formed originals.”

The MAC students will be performing in a mix of solo acts and bands: Alex, Astryx, Dani Maguire, Empty Fields, Instant Referral, Juno, Mistaken for Strangers, Overdose, Rhythm and Rhyme, Superficial, The Fish Pie Four, The Pollinators, and Third Party.

“Some of the students have been entering Rockquest for five or six years, while others are jumping in for the first time,” Mat said.

“It’s a huge opportunity to connect with other young musicians from around the district and share what they’ve created.”

MAC year 12 student Toby Mills told the Wānaka App that Rockquest is “an awesome event that brings young musicians from around Central Otago together each year to compete, but mainly perform and have fun in a super supportive environment”. 

“My first Rockquest was in 2021 and I've done it every year that I've been able to since then,” he said.

“This year is my first year doing it as a drummer; previously I took part as the singer of Feed the System, however this year I'm performing in a pop/indie band called Mistaken for Strangers. 

“I think our [songs] are sounding pretty great and we're just doing the final touches to them this week as we get ready for the event on Saturday.” 

Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand's live, original music, youth event which gives young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting. The event aims to motivate young musicians to strive for success, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand Music.

PHOTO: Supplied