Listed below are some of my solo and collaborative concert performances and radio broadcasts, as well as public performances of my compositions or arrangements. I hope you will be able to join me at some of them!
Back to Broadway
Promac Productions
25th March 2025, 11:00am — Twin Towns Showroom, Tweed Heads NSW
Collaborative piano
Following the success of Promac Productions “Broadway Bound” production in October the company is delighted to be bringing their new show for 2025, “Back To Broadway”, featuring hits and highlights from the past 50 years of hit Broadway musicals. Starring in this production will be Queensland’s own international tenor Bradley Daley who has just returned from singing engagements in Europe. Alongside Bradley will be the stunning soprano Alison Jones, who has sung in five seasons on London’s West End. Narrator and compere Chris McKenna will tie all the great stories associated with the hits shows & William Schmidt will again delight on the grand piano. The show will have hit songs from Les Miserables, Cats, My Fair Lady, and The Lloyd Webber songbook to name just a few.
We Remember / Spirit of the ANZACs
Promac Productions
9th April 2025, 2:00pm — Eastbank Riverlinks, Shepparton
17th April 2025, 10:30am — Portland Arts Centre, Portland
24th April 2025, 10:30am and 1:30pm — Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
24th April 2025, 7:30pm — The Wedge, Sale
29th April 2025, 11:00am — Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra NSW
20th May 2025, 10:30am — Innisfael Shire Hall, Innisfael QLD
21st May 2025, 10:30am — JL Kelly Theatre, Ingham QLD
22nd May 2025, 10:30am — World Theatre, Charters Towers QLD
11th November 2025, 10:30am and 1:30pm — Karralyka Centre, Ringwood East
12th November 2025, 11:00am — Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland QLD
Collaborative piano
Promac Productions is honoured to present We Remember, the only show in Australia fully sanctioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canberra. Featuring an exceptional cast led by narrator Chris McKenna, star tenor Roy Best, international soprano Alison Jones, and concert pianist William Schmidt, this production celebrates the iconic singers who uplifted spirits during the wars, including Dame Vera Lynn, The Andrew Sisters, Bob Dylan, Normie Rowe, John Denver, and Mamma Cass. Enjoy timeless classics like White Cliffs of Dover, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Blowin’ In The Wind, He Ain’t Heavy, Leavin’ on a Jet Plane, Green Green Grass of Home, and a stirring rendition of Bring Him Home from Les Misérables. This production is dedicated to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Join us in honouring their memory with an unforgettable concert of music and remembrance.
Music for Passiontide
Box Hill Chorale & Star Chorale
18th April 2025, 3:00pm
Chamber organ
A glorious concert of sacred music for Good Friday, including Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Bach’s “O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden”, Gibbons’ “This is the Record of John”, Anerio’s “Crux Fidelis” and “Christus Factus Est”. Featuring mixed choirs, baroque orchestra, chamber organ and soloists, conducted by Andrew Wailes.
The Creation
Victoria Chorale
17th May 2025, 5:00pm — St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne
Continuo
An opportunity to savour and ponder the world’s beginning in music and song! One of the great choral masses and oratorios of the Baroque and classical periods, Haydn (and others) regarded it as one of his greatest masterpieces. The Creation was written late in Haydn’s life, inspired by the oratorios of Handel that he had heard in London. His creation story is optimistic, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of a harmonious relationship between human beings and nature. Structured in three parts, it tells the story of the six days of creation, using a libretto inspired by both the Bible and Milton’s Paradise Lost. The orchestral arrangement helps tell the story, depicting the many aspects of nature, oceans, animals, fish and birds, and the beauties of Eden. Die Schöpfung/The Creation was published in 1800 in German and English. There have been a number of versions published over the past centuries, with some text and orchestral arrangement differences. With brilliant soloists, we will be singing in English and accompanied by the Art of Sound Orchestra conducted by the renowned Mario Dobernig. We are expecting a full house at the wonderful St Paul’s Cathedral. Tickets will go on sale via TryBooking in March.
The Great Gershwins
Promac Productions
4th February 2025, 2:00pm — Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton
17th June 2025, 11:00am — Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
29th August 2025, 10:30am and 1:30pm — Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
4th September 2025, 10:30am — Portland Arts Centre, Portland
24th September 2025, 11:00am — Paranaple Arts Centre, Devonport TAS
25th September 2025, 11:00am — Princess Theatre, Launceston TAS
1st October 2025, 11:00am — Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
20th November 2025, 10:30am — Drum Theatre, Dandenong
Collaborative piano
Following the success of Promac Productions tour of “I Love Paris” in 2024, the company are delighted to be back with their new production, “The Great Gershwins”. This production will highlight many of the great hits and feature the story behind probably the world’s most successful composing brothers George and Ira Gershwin. Starring concert pianist virtuoso William Schmidt, and joined by International soprano Alison Jones, the duo will perform many of the iconic hits of these two amazing composers. This production will be narrated and compered by the ever popular Chris McKenna. Songs like “Summertime,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm,” “The Man I Love,” and “Embraceable You” from the Gershwin Brothers’ timeless classic musicals such as An American in Paris, Porgy and Bess, Swanee, and the composition Rhapsody in Blue will be featured.
This will be a “Swonderful” treat for all.
I Love Paris
Promac Productions
18th February 2025, 11:00am — Twin Towns Showroom, Tweed Heads NSW
25th February 2025, 11:00am — Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin
27th June 2025, 10:30am — Bunjil Place, Narre Warren
10th October 2025, 11:00am — Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon
Collaborative piano
Renowned and award-winning concert pianist, William Schmidt and international soprano, Alison Jones transport you to Paris, France in a show brimming with famous music inspired by the most magical city in the world. From Chopin to Gershwin, the Eiffel Tower to the Moulin Rouge, compere Christopher McKenna will guide you through a romantic, dramatic and fun musical vacation. With hits from Les Miserables and An American in Paris to the rousing sounds of a French can-can, this new show from Promac will delight all lovers of theatre and fine music, all performed in front of beautiful slides depicting the true French lifestyle and incredible music of the jewel in Europe’s cultural crown.
Two Grands Four Hands
Promac Productions
5th September 2025, 10:30am and 1:30pm — Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
Collaborative piano
Indulge in the exhilarating experience of witnessing two virtuoso pianists captivate audiences at the grand pianos in a dazzling showdown.
“Two Grands…. Four Hands” promises an electrifying evening of musical mastery, featuring the extraordinary talents of Australia’s premier concert pianists, Elyane Laussade and William Schmidt. The performance is elevated with the enchanting vocals of International Soprano Alison Jones and narrated by the compelling voice of Chris McKenna.
Elyane Laussade, a globally acclaimed concert pianist, has graced stages worldwide and adorned the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as a guest soloist. Hailing from the USA, she honed her craft at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York.
In a serendipitous turn of events, Elyane played a pivotal role in discovering her co-star, William Schmidt, at an Eisteddfod 19 years ago. William has since showcased his musical prowess across Australia and performed recitals in the cultural hub of Vienna.
Together, this dynamic duo will present a diverse program that traverses musical landscapes, from the classical compositions of Mozart and Debussy to the timeless melodies of Mancini and Bacharach. Brace yourself for an extraordinary feat as they condense the entire Gilbert & Sullivan operas into a mesmerizing 90 seconds! “Two Grands…. Four Hands” guarantees an unforgettable fusion of virtuosity and entertainment.
Melodies of Spring
Promac Productions
11th September 2025, 2:00pm — The Wedge, Sale
Solo piano
Concert Pianist Virtuoso William Schmidt brings a program of evocative nature-themed miniatures by Edvard Grieg, Lili Boulanger, Cecile Chaminade and Miriam Hyde, Beethoven’s uplifting “Pastoral” Sonata in D Op. 28, several beautiful songs by Schubert and Mikhail Glinka in pianistic arrangements by Liszt and Mily Balakirev respectively, and a new composition and two new song transcriptions by William himself. This not to be missed concert will be compered by well-known Chris McKenna who will give all the great stories behind the pieces William plays.
A Very Promac Christmas
Promac Productions
1st December 2025, 11:00am — Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, South Morang
2nd December 2025, 11:00am — The Capital, Bendigo
4th December 2025, 2:00pm — The Wedge, Sale
9th December 2025, 11:00am — Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
10th December 2025, 11:00am — Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
11th December 2025, 10:30am — Portland Arts Centre, Portland
16th December 2025, 2:00pm — Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton
17th December 2025 — Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith NSW
Collaborative piano
To wind up a fantastic year of morning shows Promac Productions, led by Christopher McKenna and his company, will bring their highly acclaimed Christmas production to The Wedge!Joining the incredible Roy Best will be International Soprano Alison Jones who has sung leading roles on the West End of London in the Savoy Theatre. All of this backed on piano by concert pianist Virtuoso William Schmidt.