It was an historic visit and one lucky Mountains teenager got to enjoy it.
Matthew Carter, a talented Year 9 student from Blaxland High School, delighted a captivated audience with his musical talents last month when he took his place alongside the London Symphony Orchestra in Sydney's Conservatorium of Music to perform his own composition.
Then just a few weeks later, the seasoned and versatile young performer changed pace dramatically, working alongside his schoolmates as principal trumpet and orchestra team leader for Hairspray for the school's biennial musical production, which finished recently.
Matthew told the Gazette he went from "impossible classical trumpet solos with really crazy hard lip slides" at the highest level, to the challenges of performing jazz with a group "that was open to everyone who wanted to join".
It's been 30 years since the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) last visited Australia. Under the tutelage of symphony composer Paul Rissmann, 26 NSW government school students studying music in Years 9-11 had a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to work closely with Rissmann for a week recreating 20th century composer Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka then presenting it alongside the orchestra.
"It was phenomenal," said Matthew.
"The sort of opportunity they give you ... being around that brilliance, it just changes the sound in your head. Every single note [of the LSO] was perfectly aligned ... I just gained so much," he said.
The 15-year-old chose the trumpet at age eight because it was the "closest musical instrument to God", he said.
"It's a gorgeous sound. All that trumpeting by the angels on high," he said smiling.
And despite nerve damage to his wrists, he continues to practise for three hours a day in regular 30 minute bursts.
Principal Nicky Tunica said the school was proud of Matthew's achievements and had adjusted his schedule so he could attend weekly musical commitments at an educational arts training program in Sydney.
"We all support him, just like we did with Jessica Fox (2012 Olympic silver medallist and two-time world kayaking champion). We used to send her video lessons when she was competing in Czechoslovakia. We just want to support them in every way."
Ms Tunica said Matthew helped run rehearsals for six months for their recent show Hairspray, the first musical production using the professional tiered seating of the old Springwood Civic Centre chairs. The chairs were rescued by creative arts head teacher, Aaron Wormald, and coupled with a new $31,000 lighting rig, the sound and atmosphere in the old 1970's gym had improved dramatically.
"When the civic centre was being closed he [Aaron] had heard that the chairs would be dumped and was told 'If you can get a truck, you can take them away'," she said.
Parents and staff rallied to move them last year.
"It's just changed the space. It's a better professional experience for our students," she said.
The school had a "really strong music tradition" she said and while "Matt isn't the first one, he's started to achieve in an area we haven't had before".
A Department of Education and Communities spokeswoman said Matthew "played with the confidence and composure of a seasoned performer well beyond his years" at the November 27 concert.
His school principal said she had been Matthew's Cubs leader and ensured he got a much sought after music badge.
"I'm just really proud of him because I saw it right from the beginning," Ms Tunica said.