DESCRIPTION:
The American centennial was an exciting time for the nation. Cities and towns bustled with new industry and a brighter outlook replaced the bleak days that followed the Civil War. The country was looking for new pastimes and one of the most popular was community bands. American patriotic music was approaching a renaissance with band leaders like John Philip Sousa rising to prominence. In this and many other ways, the United States was primed for a cultural revolution. It was in this time that James Welsh Pepper founded the company that still bears his name out of his parents' modest print shop in Philadelphia.

J.W. Pepper combined his passion to teach instrumental music with his print apprenticeship and a keen business sense. This film explores the extraordinary story of what happened to this American business between then and now. 140 years of history are brought to life through a series of interviews with music historians, music teachers, and company leaders. Their testimonies are illustrated with images taken from throughout our 140 years, with special attention to the company’s place in music history and close ties to the city of Philadelphia.

Please enjoy To All Lovers of Song and Music.

an Nth Degree Production in association with J.W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
http://www.jwpepper.com

Written & Directed by Jeff Blake
Producer: Scott Grady
Executive Producer: Kathy Fernandes
Cinematographer & Editor: Matthew Blake

Starring:
Eloise McComas
Courtney Grady
Lauren McComas

Featuring:
Rita Tingle-Lewis, Director of Choirs • Coatesville High School
Joanna Mangiovillano, Director of Chorus & Band • South Brandywine Middle School
Loras John Schissel, Senior Musicologist • Library of Congress
Dave Detwiler, Pastor, tuba player & avid researcher
Lee Paynter, Chief Operating Officer • J.W. Pepper
Dean C. Burtch, Past President • J.W. Pepper
Glenn Burtch, Current President & CEO • J.W. Pepper
Greg Burtch, Past President • J.W. Pepper
Ron Rowe, Past President • J.W. Pepper
Robert Murphy, Chief Technology Officer (Retired) • J.W. Pepper
The Downingtown High School West Band–Ed Otto, Director

Crew
Gaffer: Daniel Rink
First Assistant Camera: Daniel Ajemian
B Camera Operator: Noah Yuan-Vogel
Digital Imaging Technician: Rocco Richardson
BTS Photographer/Stills: Frank Guardino
Sound Mixer: William B. Roane, III
Boom Operator: Nicholas Osborne
Key Grip: Mark Patterson
Best Boy: Tim Sugrue
Stand-In/Grip: Nick Buddock
Grip/Electric: Ben McTamney
Make-Up Artist/Stylist: Linda Marcy
Production Coordinator: Katie Endrey
Production Assistant: Brendan Lyons
Music Composer: Oliver Schnee
Sound Design: Matt Yocum
Graphics/Design: Nate Skeen