New talent contest to replace Rock Challenge
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CHILDREN across the Highlands will still be able to pit their performance talents against each other on the region's biggest stage next year – after a replacement for the axed Rock Challenge was announced.
Northern Stars will fill the gap left by the much-missed Rock Challenge after a number of Highland organisations stepped into the breach.
A nationwide arts contest, the plug was pulled on the popular Rock Challenge last month after organisers struggled to find a sponsor to keep it going.
But before the axe fell, the challenge won the hearts of school pupils across the Highlands – with a number of schools going on to enjoy national success over the years after competing at the local finals in Inverness.
Now Eden Court, Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership, High Life Highland and a number of regional partners have come forward to make sure that the spirit of Rock Challenge continues into the future – after announcing that Northern Stars will take its place in the Highlands next March.
"Following the news that Rock Challenge 2020 had been cancelled across the UK, and recognising that many schools and hundreds of young people across the Highlands would have already started to prepare, we felt compelled to take action to offer an alternative," said a spokesman for Eden Court, where next year's contest will take place.
"We intend to expand the judging for Northern Stars so that the efforts put in during the rehearsal process are rewarded as well, judging will be based on more than the final performance. We will also visit each school twice during the rehearsals period.
"The participation fee remains similar – but rolled into this we have allowed for the filming and edit of the performance piece and each school will receive a copy of this at no additional charge.
"Enjoy the school holidays, and we’re looking forward to getting started after the October break."
Eden Court plans to share details of the performance piece and contest rules during the first Schools Information Drop, which gets under way the week beginning November 18.
Eden Court's CEO, James Mackenzie-Blackman, praised the new event's various partners and supporters for helping to make the Northern Stars happen.
"Take a massive problem [and] turn it into a massive opportunity," he said.
"I'm delighted for this to be out in the world. I'm very proud of the team who have worked tirelessly consulting with young people and teachers across the Highlands."
