Their coach found it hard to pick a winner – so naturally the six members of Tauranga Intermediate band The Joker and 5 Aces are 'over the moon” about snaffling this year's Rockshop Bandquest.

Tristan Martin (lead vocals), Fletcher Oxford (backing vocals), Ryan Ardern (lead guitar), Rury Fitzsimmons (rhythm guitar and bass), Josiah Dickson (keyboard) and Brodee Kennedy (drums) snatched first place at last night's finals at Baycourt.

Tauranga Intermediate band The Joker and 5 Aces perform at last night's Rockshop Bandquest.

The band bet out Mokoia Intermediate's band Master Clef placing second and Katikati College's Zuhana taking third in the Bay of Plenty region's competition.

Tristan and Fletcher also jointly-won two individual awards, and Josiah is the winner of an award for his keyboard talents.

The 11-13-year-olds were amped in the lead up to performing two songs – Bruno Mars' ‘Locked out of heaven' and The Beatles' ‘Come Together' – to vie for the title, according to Tauranga Intermediate music assistant and band coach Jessica Walley.

'It was fantastic – it was quite a close competition and I couldn't pick it – they really deserve it.”

The Joker and 5 Aces – along with other Tauranga intermediate band Purple Maze – were among 15 groups performing to win, while more 140 bands entered the competition nationwide.

Now in its third year, the younger sibling of Smokefreerockquest is aimed at intermediate and primary-age students, with a focus on performance skills.

'Bands are just getting better and better at a younger age,” says founder and director Pete Rainey.

'They've got the role models in the Kiwi music industry, they are more confident and are picking up a wide range of cultural influences from the internet…Bandquest is the ideal platform to channel and foster this talent.”

Jessica says members of the Bay region's winning band, who have been playing together as musicians throughout this year, especially formed The Joker and 5 Aces for Bandquest.

The band has upcoming gig – so will stay together.

'I let them come up with the songs and I sort of run through it with them – they're pretty onto it.”

For their efforts, the band won their school a $400 credit with The Rockshop.

'It will go towards gear for the music room which they will benefit from.”

Rockshop spokesman Hamish Jackson says the nationwide company is firmly behind the benefits of music at this age level.

'Bandquest encourages participation and opportunity through music - intermediate kids are talented and very creative and it's great to see them involved in music at school.”

'We hope they continue this musical journey through their Bandquest experience.”

The Rockshop Bandquest's online national final takes place later this month via YouTube.

Rockshop Bandquest Bay of Plenty region results:

First place: winning $400 credit with The Rockshop for their school: The Joker and 5 Aces, Tauranga Intermediate.

Second place: winning $200 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Master Clef, Mokoia Intermediate.

Third place: winning $100 credit with The Rockshop for their school: Zuhana, Katikati College.

Best original song: winning $100 cash for their school: Metro 9, Otumoetai Intermediate.

Best original lyrics: winning $50 cash for their school: Paper, Scissors, Rock! Otumoetai Intermediate

Female vocalist award: Stella from Stick Figure, Mt Maunganui Intermediate.

Male vocalist award: Tristan and Fletcher from The Joker and 5 Aces, Tauranga Intermediate.

Musicianship award: Tristan and Fletcher from The Joker and 5 Aces, Tauranga Intermediate.

Rockstar Styles award: Metro 9, Otumoetai Intermediate.

‘Killer' guitarist award: Pan from Dynamatic, Mt Maunganui Intermediate.

Rock-solid bassist award: Jayden from Stick Figure, Mt Maunganui Intermediate.

Rocking drummer award: Charlie from Zuhana, Katikati College.

Best keyboardist award: Josiah from The Joker and 5 Aces, Tauranga Intermediate.