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Testimonials

Feedback from professionals and commercial hirers who have worked with TMO…

The Metropolitan Orchestra and their chief conductor Sarah-Grace Williams are an absolute force, truly masterful, and are highly regarded within our industry. With the Synthony show, TMO has always been the highlight of the tour. They are the perfect example of how engaging, versatile and vibrant orchestras should be. And as for Sarah-Grace, she is such a powerhouse that we take her on tour to inspire every orchestra that we work with. She certainly does that, and more. They are a treasure, and I will continue to work with them at every possible opportunity.

Ryan Youens Synthony Show Director & Musical Arranger 01/05/2023

I have worked very closely with Chief Conductor, Sarah-Grace Williams, an instrumental part of the SYNTHONY Australian Tours since 2021. I cannot speak highly enough of her professionalism, musical brilliance and star stage quality that Sarah-Grace bought to every show that we smashed out! Her dedication ensured every show was always at its finest, her versatility and tenacity to overcome any obstacle meant nothing was unsurmountable.

The Metropolitan Orchestra, the epitome of a world class orchestra has also been a crucial component of our SYNTHONY Australian Tours in 2021, 2022 & 2023. The Metropolitan Orchestra and Sarah-Grace Williams are just amazing and easy to work with. Thankyou and I look forward to working with you all again one day!

Shelly Joughins Event Director, Duco Events 06/09/2023

Many thanks and my unending gratitude to Sarah-Grace and The Metropolitan Orchestra. Sarah-Grace’s attention to detail and willingness to go over and above the call of duty cements her as one of the foremost professionals in the country. Sarah-Grace is as flexible as she is hardworking and as professional as she is talented. I hear she can cook two-minute noodles in under a minute.

Brad Drummond Promoter, TEG DAINTY for Australian & NZ orchestral tours of 2Cellos, Basement Jaxx, Air Supply, Joy Division & The Piano Guys and Jurassic Park concert 17/02/2020

Working with The Metropolitan Orchestra and their formidable leader Sarah-Grace was a seamless experience. Sarah-Grace’s attention to detail is second to none and the ‘can do’ culture of her team left the producing team free to focus on other elements of the production with the full confident that all things music was well and truly under control. 

Phil Bathols CEO, Spiritworks, presenter of Movie Concerts at International Convention Centre 13/02/2023

TMO’s commitment to bringing quality, engaging and vibrant orchestral music to a wide range of audiences, including the audiences of western Sydney, is commendable. Their passion for making orchestral music accessible and providing artistic development opportunities through programs such as their cushion concerts and junior music camps makes them an organisation that aligns well with Riverside Theatre’s values and makes them a key cultural contributor to the arts landscape of greater Sydney.

Craig McMaster Director, Riverside Theatres Parramatta 06/06/2023

As a producer, I have been impressed by the level of preparation and commitment of the orchestra when I have engaged it to perform in my concert programming.

How fortunate Sydney is to have two professional orchestras whose chief conductors who are both outstanding women with a passionate belief in this vital art form.

Andrew McKinnon Promoter, AMCK Fine Entertainment orchestral tours with David Helfgott City Recital Concert Hall Angel Place 05/06/2023

Touring Australian and New Zealand with The Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by the amazingly talented Sarah Grace Williams was one of the greatest highlights of our long career. Sarah Grace was the ultimate Conductor for us, interpreting the music with the perfect combination of her passion, emotional strength, and a beautiful command of every note the Orchestra created. I must add that the Sydney Opera House Concert, in my opinion, was the greatest show of our career, thanks to you, Sarah Grace. With love and respect for your immeasurable talent.

Graham Russell Air Supply 21/06/2019

It was wonderful working with The Metropolitan Orchestra, at Sydney Opera House and around Australia.   The concerts were amazing, they did an excellent job and embraced our project with positivity and professionalism.  I felt a real warmth from them as people and respect them as talented world-class musicians.     It was such a pleasure and a joy working with TMO’s conductor Sarah-Grace Williams also.   She steered the Basement Jaxx project admirably, with focus, professionalism and grace.    I am deeply grateful to her for all her work and can’t wait to work with her again. She is a magnificent conductor.

Felix Buxton Basement Jaxx 11/07/2019

Just recently we had the opportunity to play some amazing shows in Australia and New Zealand with the Metropolitan Orchestra, with Sarah-Grace Williams as the conductor. Not only was the orchestra amazing, but Sarah-Grace was an absolute gem. She was so well prepared and an absolute professional. Not to mention that she helped clean up our pre-existing string charts that proved to be a little subpar. You could see that she had respect from her peers as she had mine as well. Not only that, she made everyone feel very comfortable as she transitioned into our show seamlessly. She was very comfortable on stage with us, as you might think she’d done a ton of shows with us. Having Sarah-Grace’s presence assured me that we would have very successful shows throughout the tour, and that was definitely the case. I can say that I look forward to working with Sarah-Grace in the future. It would be an honour and a pleasure!
 

Aaron McClain Musical Director, AIR SUPPLY 24/06/2019

Dear Sarah-Grace, I cannot tell you how fantastic you were with this concert – your support, advice and following up was one million percent the reason why we had a successful concert. The orchestra sounded incredible and the clients had an amazing time and said it was one of those once in a life time memories, so we really “hit a home run” as they say. I really hope I get the opportunity to organise another concert involving an orchestra, because I know who I will be calling!!

Scott Bellingham Event Manager – Kate Ceberano and James Morrison Concert, Sydney Opera House 05/10/2017

Sarah Grace and her team were a pleasure to work with. They continuously went over and above to contribute to the overall success of the event (Opera in the Vineyards 2013). The Orchestra was fantastic and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our audience.

Paul Chesher Concert Promoter 05/10/2017

I’d like to thank The Metropolitan Orchestra for their wonderful playing on the Two Strong Hearts tour. I had a really great time working with the orchestra and Sarah-Grace was a delight to work with. Olivia and John in particular loved the sound of the orchestra.

Chong Lim Musical Director – John Farnham & Olivia Newton-John, Qantas Credit Union Arena/Tempus Two 05/10/2017

Working with Sarah-Grace Williams was a great joy to me. She is a wonderful conductor and so caring of the soloist you know you are in excellent hands. Her musicality and discipline enables one to give of one’s best and I just loved working with her so much. Our collaboration on the Rachmaninov Third Piano Concerto was so exciting and satisfying, and that is truly a challenging work. I do hope to work with her more in the future.

David Helfgott Pianist 05/10/2017

Dear Sarah-Grace, thank you so much for all your fantastic work on the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular. The orchestra sounded amazing! A special thanks to you personally for going the extra mile in regards to the organisation required beforehand. Your generosity of knowledge helped make the process a smooth one and my dealings with TMO an absolute pleasure.

Tiffany Noack Associate Producer – Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, Qantas Credit Union Arena 05/10/2017

Working with The Metropolitan Orchestra was a great experience, I was proud to work with them. They are talented, generous musicians and a great bunch to be with. They made my music shine!

George Fenton Composer/Conductor BBC Blue Planet & Planet Earth (Sydney Opera House 2012) 05/10/2017

David Helfgott loved performing the Rachmaninov piano concerto No 3 with Sarah-Grace Williams and the Metropolitan Orchestra. As producer of the concert, I was struck by the outstanding degree of preparation and musicianship displayed by Sarah-Grace and the orchestra. I shall be delighted to engage them again.

Andrew McKinnon Producer, Andrew McKinnon Presentations (David Helfgott Tour 2012) 05/10/2017

We are extremely honoured to have worked with Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (now The Metropolitan Orchestra). It has been a pleasure liaising with you during the lead up to, the recording and the performance itself. Both Sarah-Grace and the MCO members demonstrated absolute professionalism at all times. Ms Sarah-Grace is not only a brilliant conductor, she is a class act! We are proud to have engaged this association with Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra.

Martine Quigley Events Manager, Cambridge Events 05/10/2017

Booking The Metropolitan Orchestra was the best musical decision I have made in a long time. Sarah-Grace’s care in selection was telling – the players were rock solid. Sarah-Grace is a very clever conductor: brilliant stick work, great vigour and passion and an impressive dynamic range. I couldn’t have asked for more. Congratulations TMO and thank you for delivering such a stunning product.

Gavin Lockley Composer and Producer – King of the Air Recording and Concert, Angel Place (2013 & 2014) 05/10/2017

 

Thank you so much for all your collaborative efforts in bringing Planet Earth in Concert to life at the inaugural BBC Worldwide Australasia Channels Showcase. Sarah-Grace and The Metropolitan Orchestra musicians played beautifully and emotively, and it really was a very rousing start to the official proceedings. We have received countless emails and thank you notes, with overwhelmingly glowing feedback. It’s great just how versatile The Metropolitan configurations can be!

Linda Deubel Head of Marketing, Channels & Branded Services BBC Worldwide 05/10/2017

From the moment I met Sarah-Grace WIlliams, I knew it would be a thrill and complete joy to work under her baton with the Metropolitan Orchestra. I was right! Playing with this Orchestra is an absolute delight as it is understood from the first downbeat you are sharing the stage with a vibrant and energetic group of professional young musician’s who absolutely love every note, bar, phrase and piece they play. They perform with finesse and world-class standard under the guidance of their commanding yet loving musical director. What more could a soloist want! I am greatly looking forward to sharing the stage with Sarah-Grace and the Orchestra in June as we play Beethoven’s exquisite ‘Emperor’ Concerto.

Ambre Hammond Concert Pianist 05/10/2017

As Paul Kelly once sang, “from little things big things grow”. All major arts organisations start somewhere, usually with the passion and drive of one key person. I take my hat off to Sarah-Grace Williams and the entire The Metropolitan Orchestra (formerly Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra) as they enter a fourth season while having built a very professional musical group. When The NRL came to me and asked if I could provide an orchestra for the 2011 Grand Final at ANZ Stadium, I had no hesitation in suggesting TMO, knowing it would deliver an enthusiastic and polished performance to the highest level in front of a massive live and television audience. This capability to deliver premium performances to any sized audience and appearing as anything from a small ensemble to a symphony-sized orchestra is testament to the versatility of this important orchestra and the high standards they continuously achieve. I’m proud to be a patron of the orchestra and look forward to a fifth season and beyond.

Guy Noble ABC Classic FM Presenter and Conductor/Patron of TMO 05/10/2017