By Emily Norman
Masterton Intermediate School students channelled the Eagles as they showed off their musical abilities at an annual bands competition this week.
The school narrowly missed out on securing a second consecutive win in the annual Wellington Intermediate Schools Battle of the Bands, which was held on Tuesday in Lower Hutt.
The MIS eight-piece band, Ground Shakers, was coordinated by music tutor Elton Halford, who has mentored the school’s bands for 17 years now.
He considers himself “blessed” to be able to work with young aspiring musicians each year.
“It’s such a great experience to see these young children getting a chance to play on a proper stage through a big PA with a proper lighting system,” Mr Halford said.
“They are pretty much living like they’re rock stars, and it’s great to be able to provide that platform for them.”
Ground Shakers performed two songs in the competition, Call Me by Blondie, and Hotel California by the Eagles.
Two of the band’s guitarists were awarded joint “Best Guitarist” for their guitar work in Hotel California.
Judging on the day were Wairarapa musicians Courtney Naera, Shae Brider, and Trinity Roots’ Warren Maxwell.
“It was nice to see that people who have made music the main focus in their own lives have then put their time and energy into our youth, and then impress upon them how good it is to get out there and perform and make music,” Mr Halford said.
Another Wairarapa school which entered the competition was Lakeview School who performed an “impressive” rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.
One of its band members won “Best Keyboardist”.
Both schools’ performances were filmed and were aired on Wairarapa TV.
