A Cromwell College pupil won best vocal performance at the Central Otago Smokefree Rockquest competition.
Grace Tiko, of Cromwell, won the vocal category in the regional competition, held last week atthe Lake Wanaka Centre.
Mt Aspiring College (MAC), Cromwell College and Wakatipu High School (WHS) were the schools performing in the competition.
Rock Quest judge Jade Maxwell said the high standard of performances made it difficult to judge the competition.
‘‘The level of professionalism was definitely very surprising,’’ Maxwell said.
‘‘It was so cool to see the bands up there giving their best and truly delivering.’’
First place in the bands went to Spoken (MAC), followed by Attack Of The Cyber Hippies (WHS). Salty Vision (MAC) coming in third.
Spoken also took the Rockshop electronic performance award.
The winning solo-duo acts went to WHS acts Jack Speedy (1st) and Mala (2nd).
Other category winners included Misteps’ Grace Tiko, of Cromwell College (best vocals) and Mala, of WHS (best song award).
Estrogen bass player Emily Johnston (WHS) and Parabola vocalist and guitarist Domenico Robinson (MAC) were given musicianship awards.
The lyric writers’ award, sponsored by music rights management organisation APRA, was won by Jack Speedy (WHS).
The top-placing acts from regional competition will now be invited to create a video submission for consideration for national finalist selection.
The Smokefree Rockquest national final will be held in Auckland’s Q Theatre on September 16, following the Smokefree Tangata Beats national final, which will be held at the same venue on September 15.
