Congratulations to Melicen Barber and Mathew Schack (Paper Frogs) for winning the national award for their live music as part of our ShowQuest performance.

The ShowQuest team won the Otago Southland regional competition in May and the filmed performance was considered at the national finals in August with winners announced on August 16.

Melicen and Mathew's original song "Dandelion Devout" won the top award in the Live Music section. Their band was also runner-up in the regional Smokefree Rockquest 2019, with their performance of "Dandelion Devout" winning Best Song. Melicen's song "Spoon Moon" won the APRA Award for Best Lyrics at the SFRQ regional final in 2018.

See the Otago Daily Times article by John Lewis below:

Pupils' song picks up national music award 

It seems to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Logan Park High School's performance at the inaugural Otago and Southland regional heat of the New Zealand Showquest competition in May has won another award.

The school won the regional heat, and now, a song performed live to accompany the show has won the live music award in the national final.

The song, Dandelion Devout, was written and performed by Melicen Barber (16) and Mathew Schack (15).

The Logan Park duo only found out they had won the national award yesterday because, in a bid to save costs, the regional winners send recordings of their regional performances to a judging panel, which determines the overall national award winners.

Melicen said the lyrics of their song painted a visual picture, rather than telling a story.

"They are intentionally vague. The song is open to interpretation."

"Our music is like alternative rock, indy - it's a fruit salad of sound."

It is not the first time they have had success in music competitions.

The song "Spoon Moon" won the APRA award for best lyrics in 2018 , and their band Paper Frog was runner-up at this year's Rockquest.

They were delighted with their latest award.

Melicen said it was growing their confidence, and they were now starting to feel like good song writers.

"It's nice to have our performances recognised on more of a national level, instead of just in Otago."

Mathew said they were now working on an album, but a release date had not yet been confirmed.

Showquest allow pupils from years 1-13 to showcase their skills in music, drama, dance and art by creating, producing and performing an original theatrical production using pupil-designed and constructed costumes and props, presented in a choreographed, themed mini-spectacular.

The overall winner of the Showquest national final was Sacred Heart Girls' College (New Plymouth).

Kuranui College (Wellington) was second, and Avondale College (Auckland) was third.