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A young Mahurangi College rock band that was only formed at the start of the year has beaten 16 other groups to win the Greater Auckland Rockshop Bandquest competition.
Sunday Rain took home the top prize of $400 to spend at Rockshop, plus another $100 prize for writing the best original song, Crazy Weather.
In addition, Ari Bronkhorst, drummer with a second Mahu band, Squealing Cymbals, took out the Best Rocking Drummer award at the regional contest on August 24.
Year 7 & 8 performing arts teacher Anna Logue said she was incredibly proud of both Sunday Rain and Squealing Cymbals, not least since they had only been playing together since Term 1.
“I made a call out to anyone who wanted to be in a Year 7&8 rock band. There were many who auditioned and from those, two rock bands were formed,” she said.
Once the bands were together and rehearsing regularly, they decided to aim high and enter Bandquest. Sunday Rain singer Jess Matthews said they felt great performing, but didn’t expect to win.
“Winning first place was the last thing we thought we’d do, due to the amazing performances we had just watched, but we still won!” she said.
Logue said it had been a privilege working with all the students and watching them grow as musicians and performers.
“I was very proud of what both bands accomplished on the night and was blown away by our success – all of the hard work definitely paid off,” she said.
Sunday Rain will now be submitting a video of their winning performance to the national Bandquest competition, which will be judged later this month.
