ORCHESTRALMETAL.COMVIRTUAL ORCHESTRATION &
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Human Future - 'Flat Earth Blues'
(more coming soon!) |
BIO
Jon Phipps MA - Virtual Orchestrator & Pre-Production Consultant
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Virtual orchestration for metal requires an intimate knowledge of this style of music (and its various sub-genres), which Jon gained through playing guitar and singing in various local death, black, and progressive metal bands throughout the 2000s.
This was also a period in which he attained a Master of Arts degree in Music from the University of Essex, and began teaching private guitar and theory lessons in both Colchester and his home town of Ipswich, where he still provides tuition to this day. Whilst studying, he honed his composition and performance skills as both an avant-garde classical composer and metal guitarist. This professional development was also enriched by his employment as a digital engraver and transcriber for the world-renowned composer David Fanshawe. 
Jon Phipps on stage with The Kuru Smile (UK)
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Pre-production involves a mixture of songwriting and arrangement, in partnership with either the band or their producer to transform their demos into production-ready songs. In this context, Jon applies his extensive experience as a guitarist, bass player, vocalist, and drummer in combination with his expertise as a composer to enhance the music with his own creativity and imagination.
All of the albums presented here feature either orchestral, choral or synth arrangements created with virtual instruments by Jon, with the exception of 'II - The Mephisto Waltzes' by Devilment, for which he only worked on the pre-production of the album. Jon was also responsible for both the pre-production and virtual orchestration of his second collaboration with Moonspell, '1755', which required Jon to work closely with the band on multiple occasions in the their Lisbon studio, where they conspired to create a concept work that tells the story of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake through the bewildered eyes of a lone survivor. 
Jon Phipps & Moonspell during the pre-production of '1755' (Lisbon, Portugal)
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The producers that have sought Jon out to orchestrate the albums mentioned above include luminaries such as Jens Bogren, Tue Madsen, and Brett Caldas-Lima.
Alongside working with bands in this context throughout the 2010s, Jon also produced library music in a broad range of styles for Alibi Music, which has resulted in track licenses for NASA, Hershey, and Carhartt among many others. If you wish to contact Jon regarding his rates and availability to work on your projects, you can reach him easily through the social media links at the top and bottom of this page. 
Jon Phipps on stage with Daniel Merrill & The Flowers of Evil (UK)
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