COFFS Harbour Christian Community College student Noah Yardley was one of a handful of students around the state selected to participate in the recent HSC Performing Arts Showcase at the Sydney Opera House.
Noah, who played bass guitar from Year 9–12, was the only music student from the Coffs region nominated.
“Encore: Performances, compositions and musicology by HSC Music students”, was performed on 2 March to a sold-out audience of around 2500.
The event showcased the excellence achieved by 62 music students.
Drama (63 students) and dance shows (37 students) also ran from 7 February to 2 March.
The finalists were selected from a pool of 3600 nominees.
As a bass player, Noah was in the unique position of having to find a way to demonstrate his skills using an instrument that is not typically the lead in a band.
He was joined by his brother Justus on drums, and his music teacher Eric Blair on piano, with a rendition of Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (arranged by Nathan East).
Recalling when he found out he would be going to the Opera House, Noah said it was “pretty exciting.”
But he wasn’t worried about nerves that night.
“I felt okay, probably because I’ve been performing locally for a few years, including for weddings and at my church.”
While Noah’s parents have musical skills, Noah initially taught himself to play bass at age 13 and played in a jazz band for over two years.
In Year 10 he signed up for lessons with professional bass player Danny Stitt at the Coffs Harbour Conservatorium, while continuing to engage with music at school, where he had opportunities to explore and get creative.
When asked about his future plans he said, “I didn’t really know what to do after school, until about Year 12.
“I did my Wood Tech project and got third in the state and felt like I wanted to go down that route.”
While training as a carpenter, he plans to continue playing music, hoping to start a band despite a potential lack of professional performing opportunities in the region.
Noah’s advice for young people studying music: “Play your instrument as much as you can.
“Learn different genres and develop your ear to all the unique sounds of your instrument.
“Join a band, sign up to the church music team, and throw yourself in the deep end, because that’s where the most learning is done.”
By JESSICA MILLER
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