We had a lot of fun with the music for this film. Here is some of the back story:
BIG SCOUT GRACE—this is the film’s theme. It was arranged by Patrick Byers and based on a hymn written in 1838 by Konrad Kocher. The hymn’s melody is the basis for the grace that has been sung for over fifty years before meals at nearly every Scout Camp in the country.
The piece was recorded at the studios at the City College of New Yorkin Harlem at 138th and Convent. Patrick Byers, played piano and wrote the arrangement. His wife Jennifer plays cello and his long time friend Nik Munson plays the guitar for the recording. Jennifer and Patrick are KC’s parents—KC is one of the Scouts featured in the film.
SOLO VOCALS—the featured soloist in the film is the very talented Joy Willis who also happens to be Keith’s mom—Keith is the new Scout featured in the film. Joy recorded the solo riffs that are the first thing you hear when the film opens. She also sings a version of the Scout Grace on the closing credits. Obviously we were extremely lucky to have the chance to work with Joy as a soloist and also as a member of Chris Guthrie and the Victory Singers.
GOSPEL VOCALS—both Joy Willis and Ms. Ann Dozier are members of the gospel choir called “Chris Guthrie and the Victory Singers” which is based in Harlem. Roy Coopervasser field recorded two tracks for the film at the AMEZ Zion Church in Port Chester New York where the choir was invited to perform for a Sunday service.
The first gospel track that you hear in the film is “Never Stop Praising Him” composed by Barbara Ward Farmer and courtesy of Steven Ford &S Ford Music Inc. This is an old gospel tune that was a lot of fun for Chris Guthrie to bang out on the organ.
The second gospel track is “Hallelu Hallelujah” composed by Debra L. Perry and courtesy of Debra L. Perry. Debra is a wonderful musician out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can learn more about Debra and her brother and frequent collaborator Gerald D. Perry at Joint Heir Music Productions.
CHARLI PERSIP JAZZ TRIO—at the staff lineup and over the closing credits you hear the work of Master Drummer Charli Persip and his talented trio doing some improvisation. Marcus Persianai is on piano and Saadi Zain is on bass. Charli lives in the same building as Jake in Harlem and is the co-op board president. You can learn more about Charli, who worked with Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine on Charli’s MySpace page.
CAMP BARTON BLUES—was written by Paul Merrill an accomplished trumpeter, composer and educator who hails from Ithaca, New York. Paul and Justin were in the same Cub Scout den and shared a tent at Camp Barton on Cayuga Lake on their first trip to summer camp. Paul assembled a talented group of musicians at Electric Wilburland Studios in Newfield, New York. The group included Paul on trumpet, Frank Campos on trumpet, Adam Ash on tenor, Hal Reynols on trombone, Ryan Zawel on trombone and tuba and Steve Reichlen on drumset. ‘Camp Barton Blues’ evokes the spirit of second line New Orleans brass and the shout trombone sound you can catch in Harlem at the United House of Prayer for All People. We hear the ‘Barton Blues’ during the packing into camp scene and over the ‘merit badge montage.’
GUITAR/STRINGS—Nik Munson a talented musician and composer who lives in upper Manhattan. Nik composed and played the original guitar tracks used throughout the film—including the trips to and from Camp Keowa. For the cover of the Grateful Dead’s ‘Friend of the Devil’ Nik collaborated with Long Island based musician John Schmeiser on strings. The cover of the Greatful Dead’s ‘Ripple’ was recorded by the renowned folk duo Michael Merenda and Ruth Unger at their studio in upstate New York which is a short drive from Ten Mile River Scout Camps. Permission to use the Grateful Dead tunes is courtesy of Alan Trist at Ice Nine Publishing.
Here are some bios of the musicians.
Joy Willis sings with Chris Guthrie's Victory Singers. Image by Jake Boritt.