Music Alive

Pre History

YOUTHROCK has its origins in the curriculum of Belmore Boys High School.

Its success is due to the initiative and ongoing commitment of Alan Smith along with the dedicated support of staff, students and ex-students of this school.

Belmore Boys High School introduced an Audio Engineering course in the early 80's. This was eventually turned into a comprehensive curriculum and approved by the Board of Studies.

The syllabus was written by Alan Smith (Teacher, Belmore Boys High School), Howard Page (Chief Sound Engineer Jands Concert Productions) and Cathy Grey (Editor Sonics Magazine).

Simultaneously with this, Belmore Boys High obtained funding from Canterbury Council to purchase professional audio and lighting equipment to run discos in the area.

This eventually expanded to live concerts involving students, ex students and professional bands.

Being the only school teaching and promoting audio engineering industry support grew through persistent promotion.

Retailers, wholesalers, importers, recording studios, concert production companies, freelance engineers, music industry media, band booking agents, record companies, band managers all became involved in many ways which included provision of guest lecturers, offers of work experience, loan of equipment at no cost, tours of studios, backstage passes to concerts such as InXs, Cyndi Lauper, Sting etc.

By 1987 BBHS had built up a significant equipment base with which to teach students. In fact a large scale concert could be run without having to borrow any equipment.

YOUTHROCK - the beginning

In early 1988 Canterbury Council and Canterbury Police Blue Light Disco Committee approached Belmore Boys High School to meet and consider what projects could be embarked upon to provide entertainment for the youth of the area.

During the meeting the idea of a band competition was floated and Alan Smith said that for the school to commit the use of its equipment, the competition would need to be school based.

This was agreed to and the first "Canterbury Municipal Inter School Youth Rock Band Competition" was underway.

Canterbury Council supplied the venue, funding, administrative support and supervisory staff.

Canterbury Police Blue Light Disco Committee supplied supervisory staff and insurance cover.

Belmore Boys High School supplied equipment, crew and supervisory staff. Alan Smith then called on all the contacts he had built up through the Audio Engineering curriculum to supply judges, donate prizes and lend additional equipment.

The competition initially drew competitors from the local municipality. As time went on the drawing area expanded to the NSW Department of Education & Training (DET) Met East Region, then to the entire Sydney Metropolitan area (Met East, Met North, Met South and Met West) and finally in the 90's invitations were sent to all schools in NSW. Response was overwhelming. It was at this time the name was shortened to YOUTHROCK.

By 1998 sponsorship in relation to prizes and loan of equipment had grown significantly (in excess of 50), calibre of judges was outstanding with representatives of major record companies, bands, band management, booking agents, studios, publishers etc all being involved, highly successful bands were beginning to emerge (most notably silverchair) and meetings were taking place with the DSE to secure its future.

1998 was the last year of Canterbury Councils involvement - due mainly to their inability to be able to supply a venue - their hall had been leased to private management and they refused to have youth events.

1998 saw YOUTHROCK held at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre - funding was supplied by Canterbury Council.

1999 was the first year without a YOUTHROCK - no venue, no funding.

2000 saw YOUTHROCK become the focus event for NSW for Youth Week, a new venue "The Seymour Centre" and the release of the first YOUTHROCK CD featuring 15 bands.

2001 saw an extremely successful year with just under 100 entries received and the involvement of silverchair in the role of sponsor.