Special recognition for distinguished musician

USQ Music lecturer Martin Crook

With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, USQ Music lecturer Martin Crook has achieved what most musicians can only dream of.

There was, however, some recognition that he had been missing– until now.

Mr Crook, a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, recently travelled back to the New South Wales capital to take part in a special ceremony which recognised him as an alumnus of the University of Sydney. 

Twenty years in the making, the ceremony acknowledged pre-1990 graduates of the Conservatorium as alumni of the University of Sydney, more than two decades after the Conservatorium was amalgamated with the University.

'I spent five years at the Conservatorium and graduated in 1978 so it was still an entity on its own back then,' Mr Crook said.

'This was a celebration to recognise those who graduated before 1990 and welcome us as part of the University of Sydney family and acknowledge the diplomas that I received as having the same weight as a University degree.

'There are around 750 graduates worldwide who will become part of the University’s alumni and the ceremony gave me the opportunity to catch up with some friends who I haven’t seen for 30 years.

'It was an honour to receive the recognition from the University for study undertaken at the Conservatorium.'

After receiving teaching and performing diplomas from the Conservatorium, Mr Crook has enjoyed an illustrious career both as an orchestral musician in symphonic and opera repertoire, chamber musician and lecturer, now punctuated by stints in The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff every January.

'The Conservatorium really prepared me for my profession as it did for many of Australia’s top musicians.

'I have held the positions of Associate principal clarinet in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and was a member of the Australia Ensemble in 1986 as well as teaching here at USQ for the past 16 years, so I have enjoyed a good career.'

Despite all of his achievements Mr Crook has chosen a special place for the certificate he received from the University of Sydney.

'It is sitting above the desk in my office and is something that I am very proud of.'

Contact Details:
Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559, 0400 025 429