Three Cambridge High School students scooped the top places at Sunday’s Waikato Rivertones Talent Quest competition in Hamilton.
Waikato Rivertones Chorus performing at the recent SING Wellington CHNZ Competition. Photo: supplied
Grace Vivian, Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby performed in front of adjudicator David Hall as part of the annual Spring into Song concert held at Waikato University’s Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.
Grace Vivian won the Talent Quest, netting herself a $500 cash prize in the process. She sings with the school’s jazz band and plans to put her winnings towards her school choir trip to Sydney next year.
Runners up Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby are equally talented. Eliza has just been at the national finals for Tangata Beats, and Jess sings in the school choir and plays the French horn.
Music teacher Lisa Norman said all three worked hard on their craft’. They also receive tutelage from itinerant vocal coach, Jayne Tankersley.
The Waikato Rivertones is the Barbershop Harmony New Zealand’s champion chorus, and the Talent Quest part of their annual spring programme is for female soloists aged 16-25.
Adjudicator David Hall said he was very impressed with the standard and confidence of the students. All three were also given three months’ free membership to the Waikato Rivertones Chorus.
Grace Vivian sung ‘Wildflowers, Jess Pike sang ‘Lover Come Back to Me’, and Eliza Hobby sang “I Know You Know’.
Talent Quest winner Grace Vivian, centre, flanked by co-finalists and fellow Cambridge High School students Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby, pictured with judge David Hall. Photo: supplied
