Shy, unassuming and modest as he is, young Riley Brown shines on stage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following family tradition, the 14-year-old was a star performer in his own right at this year's Taree and District Eisteddfod in the instrumental section.
Riley scooped the pool with 12 firsts in the Open, 16 Years and Under, and 14 Years and Under sections, won the Intermediate Championship in 15 Years and Under, was the aggregate (mean score) winner for both the 14 Years and Under, and overall. And he was awarded a $750 Scholarship.
Riley was not expecting such good results.
"It was a bit surprising. I don't think I felt totally prepared," he says.
Although he felt unprepared and nervous before playing, his mum, Tanya, who along with her husband Trevor owns Bass N Blues in Taree, said he handles the pressure extremely well.
"He played 16 times. Some of those performances were the best I have heard them," she said. "He's a really solid performer."
This year, Riley played clarinet and electric piano in the Eisteddfod. Normally he would also compete in the piano section, however he was already contracted to perform percussion with the Hunter Wind Ensemble in a series of concerts on the Central Coast on the same weekend.
Riley has been playing piano for 10 years, and this year will undertake his AMEB Grade Seven exam, along with his Grade Six exam for clarinet.
Although proficient in both instruments, he prefers the piano. Tanya says she has to peel him away from the instrument at home to eat his dinner.
"He completely immerses himself in it," she says.
Riley appreciates music of all genres, from jazz, classical to metal. As for playing, he prefers composers from the classical era, although his favourite composer is Bach.
Currently a year nine student at Taree High School, Riley would like to make music his career after school. Although, he says, he also likes science.
However, on completing high school, Riley really wants to attend the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. During Christmas holidays he toured the Con with his conductor from the Hunter Wind Ensemble, Scott Ryan, who also works at the Con.
"Riley got very excited," Tanya says. "You could see the eyes light up and the brain switch on."
Riley has been selected to perform at the Taree and District Eisteddfod Grand Concert at the Manning Entertainment Centre on Saturday, June 5, in a jazz quartet. The concert starts from 2pm and tickets are available online at www.theMEC.com.au or at the door.
Also in the news:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News