Students ready to rock the socks off judges
The spotlight will be on some of Southland’s most talented young people on Friday, as 22 solo, duo and group acts from throughout the region, take to the stage at the Smokefree Rockquest regional finals in Invercargill.
Verdon College, in Invercargill, has set a school record with seven students in year 10, 12 and 13 competing in the solo and duo category.
Ryan Isaacs, a year 13 student at Verdon College, can’t wait to get on stage.
Isaacs will compete in the solo category, playing piano and singing an original mellow rock song.
‘‘I suppose it is more easy-listening stuff; you could compare it to something by Billy Joel or Elton John,’’ he said.
The college’s head of music, Emma Jarman, encouraged students to apply for Rockquest and share their music.
‘‘I feel really proud. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, especially when they are performing their own stuff,’’ Jarman said. ‘‘Music is very personal.’’
The compositions the Verdon College students will be performing on Friday have been tied into the school curriculum.
‘‘It’s giving all their hard work a purpose, outside of the school setting,’’ Jarman said.
Stacey Wilde and Tom Van Eeden, both year 13, have been performing together for a couple of years.
The pair are entered into the duo category and they credit Jarman for encouraging them to take part.
‘‘Our music teacher makes us attempt things we never would,’’ Van Eeden said.