Shropshire company's latest film is music to the ears
There's nothing like blowing your own trumpet – which is why Shropshire multi-media company 7video is to make a documentary about one of the UK's leading brass band festivals.
Cornet and flugel player Martyn Harris, a former colliery brass band member and director of 7video, will be leading the filming team this month.
Bolsover Festival of Brass is the biggest event of its kind in the UK and Shrewsbury-based 7video has been commissioned to make an hour-long documentary on the event on September 10.
The festival started as an entertainment contest five years ago in Bolsover, Derbyshire and now features more than 40 bands with 1,400 musicians taking part over two days.
Martyn said: “We're delighted to have been asked to make the documentary, which will see us interviewing musicians taking part, as well as the build-up to the event and the festival itself.
“I'm leading the filming team which will be great especially as I love brass bands. I used to be a member of the Desford Colliery Band and play the cornet and the flugel.”
The first event will be on September 10 in Shirebook, with a five band charity entertainment concert featuring Boobs and Brass, an all-female line up of brass musicians who raise money for Breast Cancer Research.
The second day will be in nearby Spinkhill where each of the brass bands taking part will perform a 20 minute show for the audience. Also for the first time as part of the festival, a brass solo and quartet contest will be held on September 18 to encourage up and coming talent.
Martyn said: “We'll be making a DVD of the film and a shortened version will also go on Bolsover District Council's website. We do quite a few projects with local authorities working with the community, and we're thrilled in to involved in a major arts and music project like this.
“I will, however, only be behind the camera as much as I might want to grab an instrument and take part!”
The documentary is the latest in a strong of contract wins for 7video which has recently opened a base in Coventry as part of an expansion plan across the Midlands.
Director Peter Sims said: “Although we are know for being a corporate video company, much of our recent work has seen us undertake promotion videos for public sector organisations including local authorities and the NHS.”
