About Us

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, Nice Events for Australian & NZ orchestral tours of 2Cellos, Basement Jaxx, Air Supply, Joy Division & The Piano Guys February 17, 2020

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 June 21, 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 June 24, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 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) October 5, 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) October 5, 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 October 5, 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) October 5, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 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 October 5, 2017