“The environment in our music department, like the other people in our class, they are really supportive. We cheer each other on, it’s great, it’s amazing.”
The Ready, Set! lineup is Ethan Worthington (guitar), Luka Woods (vocals), Watson (drums) and Kiahn Bunyan (bass).
Second place in the band category went to the good days from Renew School, made up of Josiah Boucher (vocals), Matthew Cullen (acoustic Guitar) and Sihoo Lee (electric guitar).
They join solo-duo winners Isabela Cameron from Huanui College (first) and Lucy Middleton from Whangārei Girls’ High School (second) with the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists to play off at Auckland’s Q Theatre on September 16.
For Rockquest founder Pete Rainey, participating in the arts can have a big positive impact on young people.
“The arts in education play a huge role in helping our young people to face the future with a set of skills that give them flexibility, creativity, ability to co-operate and work in groups. Skills they can apply in life wherever it takes them.”
The full list of awards for Northland:
Band 1: Ready, Set!, Whangārei Boys’ High School
Band 2: the good days, Renew School
Band 3: Blind Eyes, Whangārei Boys’ High School, Kaitaia College
Solo/Duo 1: Isabela Cameron, Huanui College
Solo/Duo 2: Lucy Middleton, Whangārei Girls’ High School
Smokefree Best Vocals: Moberf, Kerikeri High School
Musicianship (jointly awarded): The bass player of Chicanery, Whangārei Boys High School, Whangārei Girls’ High School, Whangārei Intermediate.
Musicianship (jointly awarded): The lead guitar player of Chicanery, Whangārei Boys High School, Whangārei Girls’ High School, Whangārei Intermediate.
ZM Best Song: Moberf, Kerikeri High School (2nd song)
APRA Lyric Writers’ Award: Charissa Miles of Untamable Strange, Kerikeri High School
Waipū thrash metal exponents Alien Weaponry are previous national winners of Smokefreerockquest.
