Local children record song for upcoming movie

When upcoming independent film “Buster’s Mal Heart” releases next year, dozens of Montgomery children will be watching and listening.

They will also be heard.

Montgomery Music Project, founded by Laura Usiskin and directed by Noemí Oeding, partnered with Park Crossing High School Honor Band Saturday to record a song for the feature film. Specifically, the group of about 80 local youths – age 6 to 18 – recorded German composer Richard Wagner’s famous score “Ride of the Valkyries.”

“It’s very exciting. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students… to do something as unique as recording for a film,” Oeding said.

When the film is released, kids such as 11-year-old cellist Ariel July will be able to hear their music in a feature film and see their names on the big screen.

“It feels good. I’ve always wanted to be in a movie, and now I can cross that off my bucket list,” July said.

Written and directed by Sarah Adina Smith, “Buster’s Mal Heart” follows the story of a mountain man named Jonah – aka Buster – who survives the wild winters by breaking into empty vacation homes.

In one of the film’s opening scenes, Buster – played by Rami Malek of the hit TV show “Mr. Robot” – enters a condo and begins to play a symphony of sorts with the kitchen appliances.

As a blender, toaster and microwave sound off in chorus, Buster is listening to a youth orchestra rendition of “Ride of the Valkyries,” but Smith was missing one thing: the music.

“It’s right in the beginning of the film in an important part of the movie,” Smith said. “Actually it’s when we first meet (Buster) in his habitat. He’s coming in for his first meal – he’s got a few screws loose this character – and he’s sort of conducting all the kitchen appliances, and this Wagner piece is playing, and he’s conducting the appliances as if they were instruments.”

After 18 days of filming in Montana, Smith reached out to her college dorm mate Usiskin in December and asked if the Montgomery Music Project was available to record the song.

“I remembered (Usiskin) founded the Montgomery Music Project, and I thought it would be amazing and exciting for the kids if we recorded it with them,” Smith said.

Usiskin thought it was a great idea. She emailed Oeding.

“My first thought was, ‘Oh my, that’s a hard song,’” Oeding said with a laugh.

The MMP is comprised solely of elementary/middle school-aged children and string instruments. To create cinema-worthy sound of a brawny, brassy symphony like “Valkyries” in two months, Oeding and Usiskin needed help.

The Park Crossing High School band agreed to join in, and Montgomery Symphony Music Director Thomas Hinds simplified the sheet music of what he calls one of the most complex musical compositions.

“The original is like for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s a very tough piece,” Hinds said. “It’s interesting taking one of the most difficult pieces in the repertoire and making it so kids can play it, but still have it sound like the original.”

After almost two months of practicing separately, the MMP and Park Crossing band met at Trinity Presbyterian Church Saturday and recorded the song in about five takes.

“They did it beautifully,” Hinds said.

Smith, who flew in from Los Angeles for the recording, said it was perfect for what she envisioned.

“They did a wonderful job. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was very impressive,” Smith said. “I think this is the coolest organization. The fact that the Montgomery Music Project exists for these kids is really something, and I hope this was a fulfilling experience for them and an exciting opportunity to see their work as something bigger too.”

Park Crossing senior and baritone saxophone player Cameron Ellison had been practicing every day for the piece. When the moment to record was finally upon him, Ellison said he was humbled by the experience.

“It’s a really nice feeling. I never thought I would get this opportunity,” Ellison said.

In addition to Rami Malek starring in his first feature length lead role, “Buster’s Mal Heart” also stars DJ Qualls (“The New Guy,” “Hustle and Flow”) and Kate Lyn Sheil (“House of Cards”).