A university student has had the concert experience of a lifetime after answering an urgent call to fill in for a sick member of the orchestra.
Sterling Nasa, from Woollahra in Sydney’s east, was in his seat ready to watch La La Land live in concert but soon found himself centre-stage at the Darling Harbour Theatre.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Student saves La La Land concert performance
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Justin Hurwitz’s live performance of his Academy Award-winning score was in shambles when his keyboardist fell ill and no other musicians were available.
So the two-time Oscar winner threw a Hail Mary to the packed theatre.
“Is there somebody in the audience who is an amazing sight reader,” Hurwitz asked the audience on Saturday.
Speaking to 7NEWS on Monday, the composer said he figured it was a numbers game.
“There were like, 2500 people here,” he said. “It’s like — somebody has to be a musician.”
And there was – 21-year-old Nasa, who stunned everybody.
Playing the celeste — a combination piano/keyboard instrument — in front of a massive audience, he not only held his own, but thrived.
“No, it was not a set-up at all,” Hurwitz said. “I was panicking, to be honest.
“As soon as he started playing, I was impressed.”
Sterling Nasa wowed a packed house at Sydney’s Darling Harbour Theatre. Credit: 7NEWS
A fan of the movie and Hurwitz, it’s been a surreal few days for Nasa.
“It’s always nice to get some applause, get some response, but I think also just a little bit of terror,” he told 7NEWS.
Years of music reading training were put to good use for the aspiring professional musician.
“It’s an hour of music,” Nasa said. “You’re in an amazing orchestra with an amazing two-time Academy Award-winning conductor, so just enjoy it.
“Not bad for a Saturday night.”
A case of right place, right time for this wannabe professional.
