SYMPHONIC POPS MUSIC

Maher Zain: "Thank you uncle John!" after October 2018 Cape Town performances of his songs orchestrated by John Walton

​

"To hear these songs that I recorded in the studio and, you know, to hear them with these instruments - this is how we want it to sound every single time."  Ronan Keating - after singing John Walton's orchestrations of his songs with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Aug 2015.

 

Symphonic Pops Music is a fusion of popular music, symphony orchestra and top notch technical production, which appeals to the broadest possible audience.

 

John Walton specialises in arranging popular music for full symphony orchestra and has an impressive library of music available for hire with just about all styles of music, ranging from Bach to Nat King Cole, and many songs that have occupied the number one slots on international billboard charts.

 

"The Christmas concerts went well and everyone, performers and audience alike, enjoyed your arrangement of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." I hope some other arrangements from your catalog will be useful for future programs." Michael Krajewski  - Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston, Atlanta, and Jacksonville Symphony orchestras.  The soloist was Liz Callaway in performance with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Dec 2013.

 

He has been writing orchestral music for many years and his extensive experience as a pianist, copyist, arranger, composer, conductor and producer, makes John the perfect choice should you be looking for evergreen or contemporary pop music arranged for orchestra that fuses the authenticity of the original music as you know and love it together with the incredible sonic textures available within a full symphony orchestra.  John has an impressive library available for hire covering music as performed by Pavarotti to contemporary hits by Muse, Michael Jackson and many tunes that have occupied the number one slots on the international chart billboards.All the music has been well received by musicians and audiences alike in a diverse array of settings from full-blown spectacular concerts to corporate functions to intimate unplugged ensembles.

 

John has been commissioned to write arrangements internationally for artists working in a variety of settings from cruise liner cabaret shows, to every conceivable local production, ranging from a "Rave" for the Stuyvesant brand, to full orchestral productions ranging from shows at Grand Arena: Cape Town’s première venue for big international shows and the South African “Emmys” for the Advertising Industry: the Loerie Awards and almost all orchestral performances which include “light music” feature his arrangements.

 

John’s impressive list of world-wide clients and credits are testimony to his creativity and talent. He has written for Eurovision Stars, Pop and Rock Artists and founded the KFM Symphonic Pops series in 1996 which premiered at the Spier Arts Festival and which moved to a much larger venue (Velodrome) in ’99 in a joint-venture with Radio KFM.

 

In addition, he has been Musical Director/Conductor for many productions from the 2008 South African Loerie Awards and the ​2012 Heineken All Star Concert  (involving collaboration between DJ's and Orchestra), to the widely acclaimed Heineken Symphonic Rocks* concerts (now in its 4th year).

 

* “Heineken Symphonic Rocks is a marriage between current cutting-edge music and the incredible pitch perfect depth and richness of a traditional orchestra. John Walton meticulously rearranged a playlist of almost 30 hit songs that will be performed by an extensive string section, full woodwind, brass and percussion sections. The collaboration produces an intensity of sound that has to be experienced to be believed.”

Andy Mac, Macstanley

 

Symphonic Pops Music can add to any occasion – intimate gatherings, weddings, corporate functions, or large scale shows.

Contact John for advice on any aspect of production, from repertoire to technical setup of shows.  Through Cape Town Pops John is able to source musicians from the industry from a trio to a full scale orchestra and accepts writing commissions as well.