On Saturday, 18 May 2024, Auckland Girls’ Grammar was abuzz with excitement and anticipation as it hosted the Manukau Rockquest heats for 2024. This year, two of our school’s bands—Chopstix and The Jazz Ducks demonstrated their musical passion and prowess in this esteemed competition.
Smokefree Rockquest, an annual event, serves to inspire young musicians to develop and share their talents with a broader audience. Central to this competition is its advocacy for smoke-free homes and environments, adding a layer of meaningfulness to the celebration of musical artistry. Participants are required to perform original compositions, as covers are not permitted, during the area heats. Our school’s representatives—Chopstix and The Jazz Ducks—each showcased their unique musical creations at the Manukau heats.
The event featured a diverse array of genres, including metal, pop, jazz, and rock, providing attendees with a rich and varied musical experience. Our school’s contributions were equally diverse: Chopstix with a punk/rock performance, and The Jazz Ducks with a jazz-rock fusion.
With over 30 bands from the Manukau region vying for a place in the top 12, the competition was fierce. Securing a spot in the top 12 grants these bands the opportunity to compete in the regional final—a significant achievement. We are extremely proud of Chopstix who were selected to advance to the regional finals which were held at Auck Girls’ Grammar again, on the 7 June. Their success continued through the regional final, as the band’s lead guitarist – Kaizer Wong –was awarded the musicianship award for the evening. Although the band did not proceed through after their performance on the evening, it was an amazing feat for some of our young musicians to achieve as well as they did.
Participating in Rockquest demands immense dedication, and creating original songs is a remarkable feat. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participating bands and express our gratitude to their families and friends for their unwavering support throughout this musical journey. Well done The Jazz Ducks and Chopstix.
