Band video clips

The Strathalbyn Concert Band gathered at the property of Colin Rogers near Meadows and the Kuitpo Forest last week to produce several short comedy video clips.

“This is all part of the build up to the Strathalbyn Bands Festival,” said Colin. “In past festivals the Strathalbyn Band has chosen a musical theme and performed short comedy skits as they played the music. This year we are trying something a bit different by filming our own video clips which we will project onto a screen as the band plays.” he explained.

“We were lucky to secure the services of Adelaide film-maker, Troy Sullivan,” said Colin. “The band members really got into the spirit of the day by costuming up as Civil War Soldiers or Red Indians and then hamming it up in front of the camera.”

The Band has selected the theme of “The Blue and Grey” for their festival performance. The music will include “When Johnny comes marching Home”, “On the trail” and “The magnificent Seven”.

“Our creative flexibility was tested by the limited ‘star’ quality of some of our actors”, Colin complained. “This was highlighted by our Pony Express rider, trumpeter David Baker. He is a reluctant horseman so we sat him on a barstool bolted to an old lawnmower and pulled him along as Troy walked alongside filming close-up shots. His poor horsemanship was emphasized when the lawnmower threw him.”

Troy has been busy editing the videos and we had our first look at the finished product during rehearsals last week. He has given them an amazingly authentic vintage look by introducing sepia colouring and even some fake scratch lines running through the film.

A full program of 20 bands has been booked for the Strathalbyn Bands Festival which will be staged in the Strathalbyn Town Hall on the 2nd and 9th of August. The Strathalbyn Concert Band will present its’ music and videos as the closing act on each of the two Sundays.