Three-school band wins top spot

Otago Daily Times

a day ago

The mixed South Canterbury high school band The Falveys, comprised of (back, from left) James Dyche, Luke Winter, George Elder (front, from left) Via Bunting and Darres Nabetari, have won the Smokefreerockquest Timaru regional final. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
A band comprising students from three Timaru high schools took first place at the Timaru regional Smokefreerockquest last week.
The programme, now in its 37th year, holds nationwide events in 21 regions from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Representing Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School, The Falveys secured themselves $500 of musical equipment from the Rockshop win winning the top prize.
The group was made up of students Darres Nabetari (guitar), James Dyche (guitar), Via Bunting (vocals), Luke Winter (bass), Sebastian Henderson (guitar), and George Elder (drums).
In a statement, vocalist Via Bunting said it felt amazing to have won.
"We worked so hard and had so many rough patches, but we did it.
"The first song we wrote took us so long, but once we finally got the flow of it the second song just came straight out."
Second place in the band category went to Inside Joke from Roncalli College.
The top spot of the solo-duo category went to Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School, and second place to Harriet from Mount Hutt College.
All four Smokefreerockquest place winners now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 15 national finalists to playoff at the finals in September.
Full awards list for Timaru
1st place band: The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School.
The Falveys from Timaru Boys' High School, Timaru Girls' High School and Mountainview High School. 2nd place band: Inside Joke from Roncalli College.
Inside Joke from Roncalli College. 3rd place band: Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School.
Bassist to the Bassist from Timaru Girls' High School. 1st place solo-duo: Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School.
Neave Lauren from Waitaki Girls' High School. 2nd place solo-duo: Harriet from Mount Hutt College.
Harriet from Mount Hutt College. Rockshop electronic assist performance award: Riley Craig from Geraldine High School.
Riley Craig from Geraldine High School. Musicianship award: Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School.
Mikayla Willetts (drummer, Bassist to the Bassist) from Timaru Girls' High School. Musicianship award: Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School.
Ethan Martin (bassist, The Late Timers) from Timaru Boys' High School. Smokefree best vocals award: Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School.
Winne and Liv from Waitaki Girls' High School. ZM best song award: Jarrel from St Kevin's College.
Jarrel from St Kevin's College. Apra lyric award: Neave Meikle from Waitaki Girls' High School.
— APL