He wrote for several publications including DownBeat, Metronome, The Instrumentalist, The School Musician and The Ludwig Drummer.

Over his career, he performed under several prominent conductors including John Philip Sousa, Edwin Franko Goldman, and William Revelli.

[4][5] Early in his career Noonan scouted for work in California where he said he performed everywhere, "...from saloons to symphony halls",[1] playing drums for silent movies in theaters, burlesque and Vaudeville houses.

[1] He returned to Illinois and in 1935 was an assistant supervisor of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) musical projects in the 4th district interviewing amateur and professional musicians who wished to participate in their Jobs and Income for the Unemployed Program during the Great Depression.

[9] In 1945 he joined the Illinois Wesleyan University music faculty (his Alma Mater - Bachelor of Laws degree, 1927) where he taught percussion until 1954.

Seven months before his death, on June 12, 1983, Noonan was the honored guest at a testimonial dinner held at IWU to acknowledge his contributions to percussion and percussionists.