A group comprising four Wanganui High students and one from City College have won their way through to the national finals of the 2012 Rockquest.
Yesterday the five elated students who form Culture Kids said music was a huge part of their lives.
The Year 13 students were described by High School arts co-ordinator Jeanette Jones as highly intelligent young people heading into other lives next year such as studying medicine and graphic design and with one keen to get into kayaking.
While all aimed to further their studies, music would remain an integral part of their lives, they said.
If they won the Rockquest final in Hamilton next month they wouldn't split up: "We'd definitely stay together and probably have next year off ... you know, like put all the other stuff off."
Keyboard player Katelyn Brown described Culture Kids' sound as jazz influenced and a bit funky.
In the final they will perform the two songs that got them there, Chase It and What You Need.
Rockquest founder and director Glenn Cameron said that among 700 entrants this year, more bands and soloists had reached the standard looked for in a finalist than before.
Ms Jones said a bus-load of supporters from Wanganui would go to the finals: "We're going to love being there, it's fantastic."
At stake is a winners' prize package which includes $10,000 worth of musical gear, an NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth more than $10,000, radio promotional support for a single, and video play on youth music channel FOUR.
The final in Hamilton is on September 22.
To hear Culture Kids' music visit: www.facebook.com/culturekidsmusic