MARK GRANDISON – Project Composer
Australian Mark Grandison (b 1965) studied composition with Richard Meale in Adelaide, South Australia, before moving to Sydney in 1994 to become Director of Music at Kambala School, which has been built into a world-class Music Department. Music education became a passion equal to his compositional pursuits, as he continued to write in equal measure works for youth, amateur and professional groups, with commissions reflecting this diversity.
Grandison’s orchestral and chamber works have won numerous national composition contests, whilst his works for symphonic winds have made the finals and won various European composition contests. His works have received performances in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South-East Asia, and the United States. Grandison’s compositions alternate intuitive with process-based approaches. A youth absorbed in popular and jazz music often filters its way into his rhythmic language. His music aspires to create an experience that integrates a core of developmental rigour with a surface that is sensual and dramatic.
THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA – Project Ensemble
Under the baton of Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) is recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile orchestras, delivering consistently vibrant first-class experiences. Formed in 2009 and based in Sydney, TMO’s remarkable history of music making boasts more than 600 concerts with a variety of events targeted at different demographics, including TMO’s acclaimed Met Concert series, family Cushion Concert series, free concerts, national and international tours, as well as appearing on album recordings and for numerous special events.
An impressive roster of performers have appeared with TMO including internationally renowned artists José Carreras, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Bryn Terfel, Sumi Jo, David Helfgott, Elaine Paige, Anthony Warlow, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Marina Prior, Todd McKenny and the Grigoryan Brothers. TMO has also collaborated with other leading Australian arts organisations and institutions in concert including the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Choir, Sydney Philharmonia, Pacific Opera and the Sydney Opera House.
The Metropolitan Orchestra has received critical acclaim for exceptional performances across numerous genres. Recent highlights are Australian and New Zealand tours with the 2Cellos, Basement Jaxx, The Piano Guys, Air Supply, Joy Division and Horrorshow, and concerts with film (including Jurassic Park, BBC’s Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy). TMO have performed mid-field at the NRL Grand Final, at Opera in the Vineyards in both the Hunter Valley (NSW) and Clare Valley (SA), sailed for 7 years aboard Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts and played for ‘Synthony – a celebration of dance music reimagined’, with headliners Miss Connie (Sneaky Sound System) and Ilan Kidron (Potbelleez).
TMO has performed for several album recordings and in 2017 released their own album ‘The Metropolitan Orchestra – Live at the ABC Centre Sydney’ featuring performances recorded by ABC Classic FM.
SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS – Project Conductor
A Churchill Fellow, Sarah-Grace Williams is the Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) and Principal Conductor of Australian/New Zealand tour of ‘Synthony’. She has also conducted the Queensland, Adelaide, West Australian, Tasmanian and Perth Symphony Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Camerata, Bangalow Festival Orchestra, Queensland Music Festival Orchestra, Southern Cross Orchestra, and the Synthony Orchestra amongst others. Additionally, Sarah-Grace is the Artistic Director of the Aspire International Youth Music Festival and has held positions as Musical Director of the Sydney Opera House Babies Proms, Stager Conductor at the Ukraine National Opera and Ballet Theatre and Conducting Fellow of the Australian Ballet.
Since founding TMO in 2009, Sarah-Grace has received much acclaim for her accomplishments with the orchestra and has conducted them in more than 500 concerts, album recordings and national and international tours. She enjoys a diverse conducting portfolio, performing in a variety of genres including mainstage symphonic concerts, concerts with film, ballet, opera, cross-over performances with hip-hop, rock and pop artists, multi-media installations, stadium events, album recordings and more. Recent highlights include the Australian and New Zealand concert tours of Synthony, Basement Jaxx, Air Supply and film concerts Jurassic Park, Muppets and BBC Planet Earth.
Sarah-Grace was awarded the 2017 Western Sydney University Alumni Chancellors Leadership Award (the highest honour the awards bestow), announced on the 2013 International Women’s Day Honour Roll for her outstanding achievements and contribution to the community, hailed by Limelight Magazine to be amongst ‘10 of the Best Women Conductors – trailblazing talent leading the way for women conductors all over the world’, and listed in the Who’s Who of Australian Women since 2011.