Folk Harp & Song
While doing the photoshoot with Sally Gartell at St Chads Church, Michael tapped on my shoulder and said, while the girls are changing, do you fancy having a quick look at the roof?
The roof I reply? Say no more said Michael, wait until you see it. So, we climb what seemed like an endless number of steps to get to ‘not quite’ the top of St Chads, Michael opens the door and in front of me is revealed an amazing double circle, beautifully lead lined roof that cumulated at a point dead centre of St Chads. I’ve always thought it would be great to have a band playing up here, bit like the Beatles did for their 1970’s roof top session said Michael…..
Well, I reply, I could perhaps muster up a band to try that, but what about a Harpist sat right up there at the pinnacle of the roof? Yes, that would be amazing Michael replies!
So, all I need to do now is find a Harpist who would be happy to play on top of St Chads, I know, Amie!
Amie had not long joined our Monty Folk band and was
becoming an established member having moved up to Mid Wales recently. She is a
multi-instrumentalist and her main instrument of choice is the harp.
I drop Amie an email explaining as sensitivity as possible if she would like to play on top of St Chads, pointing out the winding steps, the height and being subjected to me pointing a camera at her for around 2 hours while she plays a selection of tunes. I prepare myself for a concerned reply and have at hand a list of positives that would come from such a project – Amie replies, yes, no buts or maybes, just lots of yes’s – wow – brilliant!
We set up some potential dates allowing flexibility and taking into account the amazing weather we have been having recently, send Amie an idea of a shoot plan involving still’s, video and audio recordings and arrange everything with Michael to fit around his availability.
Friday evening comes and we meet up with Michael. Amie does a local risk assessment and confirms all well for getting her Harp up onto the roof. Harp and media gear in hand, we climb the steps to the roof of St Chads. Amie tunes up while I setup my video camera and mics, 1 for the harp low end of the string scale, 1 for the highs and vocals. Wind is minimal but present in the recording which hopefully adds to the overall setting on the roof – and away we go….
With sunsets, silhouettes, clear horizons and an amazing setting for a photoshoot, the photographic possibilities were endless. We eventually wrap up the shoot, pack up our equipment and make our way back to the car park buzzing and content having just completed a wonderful shoot on top of one of the most amazing buildings in Shrewsbury with beautiful weather, the gentle sounds of the harp and Amie’s beautiful vocals drifting across the gentle Shrewsbury air.
As we get ready to leave, we thank Michael for what has been a very enjoyable shoot, I say to Michael – “ballet dancers!?”
My thanks to Michael and all at St Chads for allowing us this special opportunity to use St Chads Church. If you are in Shrewsbury, be sure to visit the church, it looks just as good on the inside as it does on the outside and also has a very interesting grave yard next to it.
