KEY POINTS:
North Shore band Solomon, made up of students from Rangitoto College, have won this year's Smokefree Rockquest.
Solomon frontman Michael Cho said he was overwhelmed at being announced the winner last night at Auckland's Bruce Mason Theatre.
"We came second at the event last year so it was a huge risk entering again.
"We learnt a lot from last year though and just practised and practised until we got things as perfect as we could, and this year it seemed to all come together."
The band won $10,000 to spend at the Rockshop, a NZ on Air recording and video grant and a session at York Street Studios.
The band "can't wait" to get into the studio after their exams, Cho said.
Solomon also won best song for Grand Vocation.
Ollie Sewell, the singer of Canterbury's Burnside High School band Frankly Mauve , won best vocals.
Anna MacDonald from St Hildas Collegiate, Dunedin, won the women's musicianship award.
Tonnie ten Hove from Wairarapa College won the APRA lyric award.
Jesse Kearse, from Hawke's Bay band Peaches and Spleen, won the MAINZ Scholarship.
Elle Hunt from Nayland College won the Smokefree Rockquest Rip It Up journalist award.
Smokefree Rockquest has been the launchpad for several successful artists including Evermore, Anika Moa and Die! Die! Die!.
This year 650 bands competed in 40 heats and finals around the country.
NZPA
