Simon Romanos (1962-1974)

Great Scots is a Distinguished Alumni Award that recognises the achievements of Scots Collegians. This award is presented to Simon Romanos in recognition of his outstanding musical career.

Simon Romanos is a world-renowned conductor whose musical journey has taken him from studying composition at Victoria University to curating the classical world’s most esteemed music festivals and collaborating with the greatest singers, composers and musicians in history.

Simon is a proud Collegian whose legacy and music continues to inspire Collegians and musicians around the world. Simon attended Scots College from 1962-1974. Initially he was a member of Fergusson House and when this was disbanded joined Mackenzie House. He was a member of the Pipe Band from 1969 winning the Loan Cup in 1970 and 1973.

Simon was also involved in many other aspects of College life, playing Hockey, Secretary on School Council, as well as involvement in service activities such as Red Cross Disaster Relief and raising funds for OPC. He also achieved his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, sang in the Choir and participated in College productions.

Simon has fond memories of the Fergusson House Choir competitions where he had his first opportunity to conduct aged 13. “Conducting the whole of Fergusson House was a little intimidating, but I slowly got more confident and was telling the whole house what to do. That’s actually what started me off on the idea of conducting.” His passion was fuelled by a comment from the competition’s adjudicator who said, “We’ve seen someone doing what they were born to do,” Simon recalls. 

He found a great mentor at Scots College in Christopher Norton, and in music teacher Stanley Jackson, who taught Simon the organ and helped tutor him through his School Certificate Music. 

His studies at Scots prepared Simon well for studying composition at Victoria University where he learned from New Zealand’s greatest composers including David Farquhar, Douglas Lilburn and 
Jenny McLeod.

Simon has also curated the classical world’s most esteemed music festivals and collaborated with some of the greatest singers, composers and musicians in history. His extensive career spans across opera, ballet, orchestras and choirs, as well as countries. He founded the Romanos Ensemble in Vienna, and was also their artistic director from 1985 until 1988, where he helped launch many solo careers through the ensemble. Simon eventually returned home to Wellington where he is General Music Director of Eternity Opera, which is a way to share his love of music with the next generation. 

Simon Romanos exemplifies the characteristics of students and alumni of Scots College. As well as excelling on the national and international stage he is recognised as an example to others through 
his character and service to others.

It is our pleasure to therefore recognise him as a Great Scot