Our students produced some stellar performances over the weekend at Taieri College Performing Arts Centre!

One of the highlights of New Zealand Music Month each year is Smokefree RockQuest - a nationwide competition which challenges young musicians to write and perform their own original music on stage.

This year was no exception, with over 50 entries from schools across the Otago Region. John McGlashan were well represented with five bands entering their original music!

Brilliant to see 2024 BandQuest entrants Max, Theo, Lucas and Oscar returning to the stage with new member Olly Brown as 'Cold Beanz' - their song 'The Ones That Stick Around' gave the evening session a distinct Dunedin sound flavour! A great effort for their first year entering RockQuest, and here's looking forward to seeing more from them in future.

Not to be outdone by the juniors - senior students Adam, Harrison, Liam and Will offered a soulful instrumental featuring Tenor Sax called 'Up and Down' with their new band 'Clink!'. We really enjoyed seeing their blend of jazz, classical and rock sensibilities on display.

Third-time entrants Chris, Jamie and Leo were back again with their new band 'Deaf Raccoon' - and as usual they blew us away with a new alt-punk original affectionately referred to as 'the song'. The standout performance earned them a place in the RockQuest regional finals at the Regent Theatre on Saturday June 28th - we hope you'll save the date and come to support the boys who have made it through to the next stage!

Next up were the boys from Quantum Croissants with their own instrumental composition featuring a healthy dose of piano from Alex and Roger, backed up by some solid rhythm from Amos on drums and Leo on bass. Congratulations to these boys on their first RockQuest!

Last up, we heard from year 10s Toby and Oscar in their new duo, Toebeans! We really enjoyed their energetic pop-punk performance of their new song 'Me and You'.

Recordings of these performances are available on our JMC Music Department YouTube Channel!

The RockQuest Regional Final takes place on Saturday June 28th at the Regent Theatre. Doors will open at 6.30PM, with the first band kicking off at 7PM. Tickets are $15 for school students or $25 for adults through the venue or at the door.

We hope to see you there to support our finalists, 'Deaf Raccoon'.