 |
| Sean Noonan by Linda Pedroso |
Sean Noonan describes himself as a talking drummer; he’s a composer, and rhythmic storyteller whose music defies categorization. Drawing on the traditions of wandering minstrels and African griots, he weaves imaginative narratives by a particular polyrhythmic language that blends voice and percussion into his “fifth limb”.
His piece, The Drummer of Tedworth, is a wild, immersive journey mixing rock opera and punk-
jazz vitality, blurring live performance, theatre, and ritual, and the recording of it with the London Symphony Orchestra was launched on Friday 20 February.
The work’s premiere takes place on Monday 30 March 2026 at Milton Courtroom in London when Sean Noonan shall be joined St Paul’s Sinfonia and Darren Bloom. The music is described as a fusion of jazz, up to date classical, and world folklore in an immersive zany efficiency.
A concerto for anybody who’s ever doubted existence… and laughed anyway.
Academically achieved, Noonan holds a Doctorate from the Guildhall Faculty of Music & Drama, a Grasp’s in Composition from the Aaron Copland Faculty of Music, and a Bachelor’s in Music Training from Berklee School of Music. His doctoral thesis, Rhythmic Storytelling with Drum and Voice (Guildhall Faculty of Music & Drama), explores the intersection of narrative and percussion and is out there through Metropolis, College of London’s open entry archive. Early formative experiences included backing Hollywood legend Marni Nixon.
The recording of The Drummer of Tedworth is out there from Sean Noonan’s web site, tickets for the live performance can be found from the Guildhall Faculty’s web site.
