Adrian Keating
Q. When did you join SYO?
R. 1975. I remember the first tutorial with Alice Waten because of the way she laughed & smiled. I think she was 23.
Q. What instruments did you play in SYO?
R. Violin
Q. What is your favourite memory of SYO
R. Working with Peter Seymour
Tour to Singapore/Hong Kong, Richard Gill conducting.
Performing Sheherazade with John Harding conducting
Mahler & Berlioz with Stuart Challender. I remember we did a program with Joan Sutherland & Stuart was quite sure to make us aware she was ‘the real deal’.
Also, Tommy Tycho conducting & playing Piano in ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ at the Town Hall, I needed to conduct 2 short sections while he played.
Q. What role does music play in your life?
R. It is everything I do, everything I have been.
From Symphony to career Opera Violinist; conducting, directing my own orchestra for Producers; playing & leading recording sessions for Australia’s most successful contemporary artists; learning to improvise, Rock&Roll Blues & Funk; arranging teaching & mentoring, running a Music Venue.
Q. What is your favourite musical repertoire from the SYO performances?
R. as above
Q. What advice would you give young musicians today?
R. Find out what you are good at naturally & really pursue it.
Young musicians – listening to music in the background all the time.
Rhythm. Be good at it.
Q. Any other information or anecdotes you would like to share with the SYO?
R. I always tell students – the SYO is a world-class institution.
No other youth music organization that I am aware of is built in so many layers from the ground up, & to a consistently high standard of excellence.
The skill & reflexes required of orchestral players is not something achieved in a practice room as a soloist.
The social & working interaction with other musicians is also an important part of normal development.
Adrian Keating was Principal Violinist with Opera Australia for over 25 years and has performed as Guest Concertmaster, Acting Deputy Concertmaster and Acting Principal of 2nd Violins.
Adrian has released three Blues CD’s as “Adrian K” and the live DVD/CD “Classically Blue” and led string sessions for over 10 Top 10 Australian singles and albums.
He has also accompanied many contemporary singers such as Australian artists Jeff Duff, Geoff Achison, Kevin Borich, international artists Martha Wainwright and UnKle, and performed as a guest on The Voice Australia.
As Director of the Sydney Lyric Orchestra, Adrian’s clients have included the Paris Opera Ballet, Jose Carreras, Tina Arena, Opera in the Vineyards, CC Entertainment, Banksia Awards, Ken Unsworth, Richard Bonynge, Patrick Togher Artist Management, and Tim Woods Entertainment.
As Concertmaster at the Sydney Festival, Adrian led performances for Sir George Martin, Bernadette Peters and Al Jarreau; and he has also led orchestras for Australian tours with David Helfgott, Sir Cliff Richard and Rod Stewart.
In 2005, Adrian completed the International Masterclass for Conductors St Petersburg under Alexander Polyanichko.
Adrian has presented improvisation seminars to the Rising Stars program at the Sydney Conservatorium and a three-hour lecture “Making Music Immediate” first demonstrated at the Wollongong Conservatorium.
Adrian is currently Director of Strings St Andrews Cathedral School, a regular tutor for Sydney Youth Orchestra, and he teaches students privately, specialising in assisting with audition preparation for professional orchestra positions.
Adrian has written arrangements for many contemporary artists. His breadth of experience in soundscapes and voicing as a professional orchestral player with the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra is evident in the standard of his work, paying attention to the needs of each artist.
Adrian has provided ensembles and performed recording sessions and live shows for:
Tim Finn, You Am I, Jackie Orszaczky, Steve Balbi, Deisel, Leonardo’s Bride, Wendy Matthews, Savage Garden, Simon Meli, Jackie Orszaczky, Tina Harrod, Floyd Vincent & The Childbrides, Geoff Achison, Casey Donovan (Australian Idol Winner) Hoodoo Gurus, Grinspoon, Ej Barnes, Jimmy Barnes, Hubris, The Voice Australia, Abi Tucker, Jeff Duff, Vine, Field Day, Souldiggers, Rosalind Chia, Sophie Serafino, Glass, Aled Jones, Carmen Smith, Hubris, Green Dragon Productions.
Adrian has composed arrangements for:
Jimmy Barnes National Tour 2015, Wendy Matthews; Channel 9 Station ID, U.N.K.L.E., Steve Balbi, Geoff Achison with Classically Blue, Floyd Vincent, Hubris, Abi Tucker, Jeff Duff, Justine Clarke, Sophie Serafino , Vine, Field Day, Souldiggers, Brendan Horn, Simon Meli and the Widowbirds, Glass, Aled Jones, numerous CC Entertainment productions.
