The 19-year-old plays the bassoon, one of the instruments to have made the list of endangered instruments, and this is the second year he is has taken part in The Big Busk.

One of the biggest costs associated with learning a musical instrument is often the price of the instrument itself and the rarer and more expensive an instrument, the less likely it is to be learnt.

The viola, double bass or bassoon are now classified as endangered as fewer children are learning to play them and even fewer reach an elite level in order to perform in an orchestra later in life.

Joshua, who grew up in Taree and attended Taree Christian College, has been with SYO since 2016, joining Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SWO) in 2016 on clarinet and then joined The Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) in 2018 with the bassoon.

He currently studies music performance at the Sydney Conservatorium.

"I have been playing music for six years, I started playing saxophone, transitioned to clarinet then again to bassoon," he said.

"My primary instrument was clarinet for four years, during this time I have played with Manning Valley Concert Band, Newcastle Youth Orchestra and Sydney Youth Orchestras.

"I have now changed my principal instrument to bassoon and am continuing my tertiary study at the Sydney Conservatorium and my playing with Sydney Youth Orchestras.

"I have been playing bassoon casually for one and a half years and decided to change earlier this year.

"I decided to change instruments when I realised that opportunities for clarinet are hard to come by but because the bassoon is a rarer instrument professional opportunities have been more common.

"The transition to bassoon was challenging because there were no teachers in my area.

"I also had to teach myself two new clefs as well as dierent ngerings, embouchure and air support. My clarinet teacher Frank Celata supported my change and helped me to get in contact with bassoon teachers in Sydney.

"There aren't many similarities apart from being in the woodwind family, however there are many major dierences including; your role in the orchestra, the way you use your air and your trouble with reeds is double.

"There are many reasons to pick up a second instrument, including; the second instrument is easier to learn, you will obtain a greater knowledge of how parts work together in orchestral music and you will be presented more opportunities to play music with others

"My dream gig is to be an established player of one of the worlds premiere orchestras, such as London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic or Vienna Philharmonic.

"Playing the bassoon in the orchestra gives you the unique perspective of playing both the bass and tenor lines whilst sitting amongst the wind section.

"Joining the SYO has been one of the best decisions I've made for my pathway into the musical profession. It has given me unique performance opportunities, including at the Opera House, I have made many contacts and friends with people I've met through SYO, I've been given opportunities to work with and learn from great conductors and music educators as well as being challenge to be the best musician I can be."

Josh was also selected and travelled with SYO on the International Tour to the UK in April, playing bassoon.

Receiving less than seven percent in Government funding, SYO is aiming to raise $50,000 in order to purchase "endangered" instruments, sheet music for their music library and support their business infrastructure.

The longterm dream for SYO is to have their own "home" as they currently do not have a base.

You can donate via SMS, text SYO to 0488 824 582.

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