When Year 9 student Ken Noonan was chosen to work with the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) and join the Sydney Youth Orchestra, it was incredibly exciting, but not surprising.
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An outstanding violinist and performer at The Scots College, his acknowledgement from two of Australia’s most respected institutions shows a standard of excellence at a national level.
He has been given the opportunity to join the ranks of the prestigious alumni who have come before him.
“He has enjoyed many great successes, far beyond the College”, Mr Paul Vickers, Director of Music at The Scots College, said.
In 2016, Ken, who was only in Year 8, achieved his Associate in Music Diploma, with Distinction – an achievement quite remarkable for someone so young.
Ken admits that his success is due to strong support from his school. Scots takes their values very seriously, equipping all students to pursue their goals, whilst providing the structure and framework for boys to excel.
“I happened to have the right teacher and the right environment when I went to Scots and I managed to achieve what I often dreamed of achieving,” Ken said.
Ken is the concertmaster in the Peter Seymour Symphony Orchestra, under the Sydney Youth Orchestra.
As a leader in the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO), he performs chamber and orchestral music from the classical, romantic and contemporary traditions, as well as new works by Australian composers.
Working alongside the country’s best young musicians, Ken will gain exposure to the best teachers and instructors that Australia has to offer.
“These exclusive opportunities are going to push Ken forward in many ways. To be involved in these prestigious programs, Ken has to be more than just a fantastic violin player – he needs to possess artistic vision and logical planning in order to deliver successful concerts at the high standards set by the orchestras”, Mr Vickers said.
Ken’s talent and drive were nurtured through the diverse opportunities and experiences that were offered at Scots.
“Scots has a wide variety of opportunities that students like myself can take advantage of, such as master classes, joint school concerts, tutors, chamber ensembles and more than I can list,” Ken said.
“I feel that Scots has grown my love of music immensely with many amazing teachers and supportive tutors.”
Earlier this year, Ken worked with Goetz Richter, Associate Professor of Music and Chair of Strings at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, to perform a masterclass at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a duet by Johann Sebastian Bach at the Kuringai Eisteddfod.
For more information visit:
- www.tsc.nsw.edu.au