#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with arranger, composer John Walton

John Walton is a hugely respected, independent arranger, composer, conductor, music administrator, producer and educator working between Durban and Cape Town, specialising in arranging popular music for full symphony orchestra.

Walton is au fait with a wide range of music genres: from Mahler to Maher Zain; Cole Porter to Nat King Cole; Abdullah Ibrahim to Ronan Keating.

He founded the KFM Symphonic Pops. Until March 2013 John was Head of Music at the South African College Schools (SACS) then appointed Manager of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra until August 2018. 

Walton has been writing orchestral music for years and has an impressive list of clients and credits, and he has a large library of music available including the full body of orchestral arrangements and compositions of the late Gerry Bosman.

John’s main focus now is Cinemagic Scoring working primarily with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra recording music submitted by international clients.

RAPID-FIRE Q&A WITH JOHN WALTON

RETIREMENT WILL NEVER HAPPEN

The South African caught up with this amazing humble talent recently for a rapid fire chat.

The new decade means?
Looking for ways to improve on the past 10 years

Fame is about?
Doing what you love with dedication and integrity and not worrying too much about what others think

Retirement will happen when?
Never

I don’t do?
Hate, Harmful Substances

What does music mean to you?
Music is an expression of the universe and love

My music is about ?
Allowing the depths of my subconciouss mind to surface through sound and to trust in the process of creation; knowing too that all that I am has been shaped by those who have come before me, and yet also being aware of a unique flame of creation within

I would love to co write with …
People with similar desire/motivation to create art as I find within myself

LOVING BEING IN SEDGEFIELD

Where do you go for inspiration to create?
My creativity wells up from within, so I am loving being in Sedgefield which allows me the freedom to create

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Seeing the joy on composers’ faces as they hear their music being performed by a professional orchestra as opposed to the computerized versions they are used to.

Any funny moments on stage?
Playing piano with the old CTSO with Gerry Bosman conducting and Taliep Petersen singing. I’d had a gig the night before and had a dress-shirt with a white front and extremely colourful sleeves. Since the orchestra played with jackets on I wore the shirt… City Hall was hot the night of the performance and at the start the gentlemen were told “jackets off”, so there I sat – the most flamboyant looking creature on stage. Taliep was due to sing “As Time Goes By” and I had to “noodle” on the piano whilst he charmed the audience and when he said “Casablanca”

I was to play a Bb13 arpeggio for him to start the song. Well, the moment arrived and a look of bried panic crossed his face as he sought his starting note only to be replaced by a little grin… He stopped the concert and announced loudly: “Ladies and Gentleman, what a shirt!!! John, stand up and let everyone see!” I recollect my face being the same colour as the bright red on the sleeves of my shirt. We had a great laugh afterwards.

My heroes?
Gerry Bosman, Jeremy Lubbock, James Galway, Bernhard Gueller

Which living person do you admire most and why?
Elon Musk he makes his dreams a reality and they are wonderfully big dreams

What is your most treasured possession?
A letter written to me by my mother on my 21st birthday

It’s your round what are you drinking?
An exquisite full-bodied and well-aged red wine

Dream gig to do?
The Royal Albert Hall with an orchestra

What makes you stand out?
Perseverance, dedication and attention to detail

Nickname?
Johnny-Boy

Who would play you in a Hollywood Blockbuster and why ?
Probably a nerd because they tend to get things done quietly

Pick five words to describe yourself?
Loyal, Curious, Chilled, Appreciative, Perseverance

JOHN WALTON’S FAVOURITE SA ALBUMS

5 Favourite SA albums?
Just Jinjer: Just Jinjer
Judith Sephuma: A Cry, A Smile, A Dance
Abdullah Ibrahim: Mannenberg – Is Where It’s Happening
Khumalo: 5 African Songs / Van Dijk: San Gloria / San Chronicle
Macstanley: Between 2wo Worlds

Greatest Movie Ever Made?
2001: A Space Odyssey

What books are you reading?
Shelley: Poems
Terry Pratchett: Moving Pictures
Dalene Matthee: DreamforestNickie Louwrens: Reading the Sea

What song changed your life?
Mahler: Symphony No. 9

Who do you love?
My family and Illa Thompson plus my wonderful friends and all decent people

What is your favourite word?
Synchronicity

Favorite Fashion Garment
My Tux, because it means I get to conduct an orchestra.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means
Wotcher! A Cockney greeting, but in my case the title of a virtuoso composition of mine for Flute and Piano in memory of the late Ed Backhouse who cheerily greeted one and all with “Wotcher Mate”

Top of your bucket list?
To create a funded arts community where artists from all disciplines get a year out from the strain of having to earn a living and can just create to their hearts content. I saw a little farm in Wakkerstroom…

Your greatest achievement?
My children

What do you complain about most often?
Corruption and inefficiency

What is your fear?
That South Africa will descend into complete lawlessness

Happiness is?
Understanding that the present moment is all we really have and to see the beauty therein

On stage I tend to?
Feel truly alive

The best life lesson you have been taught?
“Life is not a dress rehearsal” and “You’re never in control”

Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV ?
Not that often

Where would you like to be right now?
Exactly where I am in Sedgefield

Do you do charity work and if you do –what do you do ?
I give through the church and help individuals in what small way I am able to

Wishes and dreams ?
To have the freedom to create more of my own music

You tube link

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgApWvRjDEt6u5Im8f0Z7Zw/playlists

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNGdDCwmFlE2zq-MktMiQw

Social media links

https://www.facebook.com/johnwaltonza/

https://www.facebook.com/cinemagicscoring