William Hennessy
Encyclopedia
William Hennessy is a violin
ist and concertmaster
who has made hundreds of soloist appearances with Australian orchestras. In 2008, he became an Artist in Residence
at the Australian National Academy of Music
, with duties including performance, violin teaching, and the fostering and coaching of chamber music
.
He was founder/leader of the Australian String Quartet
1985-1996, founding deputy leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
, and a founder/director of the Tasmanian Symphony Chamber Players, the Melbourne University Chamber Orchestra and the Adelaide Youth Chamber Orchestra. He was Concertmaster
of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
for four and a half years and has been a member for substantial periods of the Macquarie Trio, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
, the English Chamber Orchestra
and the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. He is also leader of the Melba Quartet.
Hennessy has also been closely associated with the development of the Flinders Quartet, the Seraphim Trio, the TinAlley Quartet, the Tailem Quartet and the Hamer Quartet.
His students have been prominent in the Australian Youth Orchestra
for many years. Many former students are members of leading professional orchestras in both Europe and Australia and several of his students have achieved notable successes in prestigious Australian competitions.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
who has made hundreds of soloist appearances with Australian orchestras. In 2008, he became an Artist in Residence
Artist in residence
Artist-in-residence programs and other residency opportunities allow visiting artists to stay and work so that they may apply singular focus to their art practice....
at the Australian National Academy of Music
Australian National Academy of Music
The Australian National Academy of Music is Australia's centre of excellence responsible for training the country's finest young musicians. Located in the South Melbourne, Victoria, it is a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence...
, with duties including performance, violin teaching, and the fostering and coaching of chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
.
He was founder/leader of the Australian String Quartet
Australian String Quartet
The Australian String Quartet is a prominent Australian string quartet, which presents an annual program of chamber music throughout Australia and internationally....
1985-1996, founding deputy leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
Australian Chamber Orchestra
The Australian Chamber Orchestra was founded by cellist John Painter in 1975. Richard Tognetti was appointed Lead Violin in 1989 and subsequently appointed Artistic Director....
, and a founder/director of the Tasmanian Symphony Chamber Players, the Melbourne University Chamber Orchestra and the Adelaide Youth Chamber Orchestra. He was Concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It is the smallest of the six orchestras established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation .-Activities:...
for four and a half years and has been a member for substantial periods of the Macquarie Trio, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is an English chamber orchestra, based in London.Sir Neville Marriner founded the ensemble as The Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields in London as a small, conductorless string group. The ensemble's name comes from Trafalgar Square's St Martin-in-the-Fields...
, the English Chamber Orchestra
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
and the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. He is also leader of the Melba Quartet.
Hennessy has also been closely associated with the development of the Flinders Quartet, the Seraphim Trio, the TinAlley Quartet, the Tailem Quartet and the Hamer Quartet.
His students have been prominent in the Australian Youth Orchestra
Australian Youth Orchestra
The Australian Youth Orchestra is an Australian organisation for young musicians. It operates the flagship Youth Orchestra as well as Camerata Australia, Young Australian Concert Artists and Young Symphonists. It also runs several other activities including master classes, outreach programmes and...
for many years. Many former students are members of leading professional orchestras in both Europe and Australia and several of his students have achieved notable successes in prestigious Australian competitions.