After repeated listens of Elton John’s “Live in Australia” with the Melbourne Symphony, Marc Dion thought it would be great to add such elements to the Elton Joel show,
“That album is just so good, so moving…I knew had to at least try and incorporate some of that into my show..I had no idea how of course, but I set about it anyway”
Ever resourceful, Dion quickly seeked and found arranger George Danes.
“I was thrilled at George’s excitement at the thought of taking on this project..and even more thrilled after getting to know him..he was just wonderful to me and did a phenomenal job with the charts”

Dion also arranged to try out a few of the charts with his local symphony..The Quinte Symphony Orchestra..in December 2003. “I knew I had a winner when within minutes of staring the QSO’s conductor, Gordon Craig, looked my way and just beamed a big old smile”

Following the rehearsal Craig and Dion immediately began discussing plans to put on the string symphony show. Plans were made, logistics worked out and Elton Joel performed a highly successful show at Belleville’s wonderful Empire Theatre in July 2004, with Gordon Craig conducting a 20 piece string orchestra, plus the addition of both a sax player and drummer.

“The show was absolutely amazing ..it was great to see our hard work be so well received, and a dream come true for me personally…actually it was even better than I could have ever imagined”

Currently, Elton Joel is working on organizing more symphony shows for the years ahead.