A YOUNG singer-songwriter has captured a cash prize at a nationwide music competition for secondary students.
Worod Al-Tiay, of Botany Downs Secondary College, performed two original songs at the Smokefree-rockquest Auckland East final.
Competing against 14 other acts, Worod took out the award for women’s musicianship and a cheque for $150. One of her songs was performed on guitar and the other on ukulele.
Understandably pleased with her success, the Year 13 student is unsure how she will spend her winnings.
“Probably on what all teenagers would spend it on – clothes,” she jokes. “But it would be good to get some new microphones.”
Despite her success, the 17-year-old has never had a guitar nor singing lesson, instead receiving guidance and inspiration from her musician sister.
The songs she performed at Smokefreerockquest were Ivory World and Mister Soldier Man.
Both contain political messages, with the first being inspired by a friend who joined the military.
“It’s good to send a message [through music],” she says.
“People shouldn’t be writing about something that doesn’t mean anything at all.
“The goal is to get people to understand different points of view when it comes to politics.”
Mister Soldier Man is about the ongoing war in Worod’s native Iraq. Her immediate family is in New Zealand but her extended family is still living in Baghdad.
She has entered Smokefreerockquest for the past three years, the first two as a band member.
This year’s contest was her first time as a soloist.
But she is not shy about singing in front of an audience or being the only one on stage.
“I jump at any chance to perform in front of a crowd.”
Worod intends to study science and law at university when she finishes secondary school, and in the meantime divides her time between her academics, music, playing for the first XI football team and is a member of the astronomy club.
All of that would be enough for many students and, while happy with her success in the world of music so far, Worod has no intentions of spending more time on it than she needs to.
“I might get lessons one day but for now the focus is on school.”
The national Smokefreerockquest final will be held in Hamilton on September 11. Tickets will be available online at www.ticketek.co.nz from August.
