Timaru Boys’ High School pupil Sam Roadley has sung his way into a place in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir for 2023/2024.
More than 230 high school pupils from across New Zealand auditioned, with just 56 boys and girls chosen.
Sam (16) was one of 28 boys chosen, and just one of 14 making up the tenor twos section of the choir.
He said he has been singing since he was young, having started singing lessons when he was six years old.
‘‘It is quite a cool thing to be a part of such a prestigious thing,’’ he said.
He has been taking singing lessons with Timaru singing instructor Ella Thomas and after watching the children’s choir with his parents, he told her he wanted to audition and it took off from there.
Sam said there was a bit of a stereotype around males and singing and people should be giving it a go.
‘‘People give sports a go and some aren’t very good at it but people should have the same outlook on the arts and giving it a go would be good.’’
He said there was a small choir at Timaru Boys’ High School, but it had been good to see more boys coming through.
‘‘As a kid, a lot of talk focuses around sports, it would be good to have the same for the arts. It has been beneficial to me.’’
He said his family was super supportive and that he was very lucky to have a supportive fan base at home.
‘‘I would love to have music as a career, if the plan and the dream works out that way, it would be cool.’’
Ms Thomas said this was what she enjoyed most about teaching, watching the kids’ development.
‘‘He has put in a lot of hard work into his singing and has been determined and now he can reap the rewards for his hours of work.’’
She said Sam gained distinction on his grade five singing exam and his achievement had inspired some of the younger children who can audition for it when they are older.
‘‘It requires a lot of motivation, which he has. I think he would be able to achieve a career in music, if that’s what he decides to do.’’
“People give sports a go and some aren’t very good at it but people should have the same outlook on the arts and giving it a go would be good.”
