Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary!
Please send us your postive thoughts about the Ballou Marching Band Documentary. Your positive spirits will help tell this story nationally and make the Ballou Marching Band a household name.
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| Copyright Garden Thieves Pictures 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I loved the film. It was powerful with unexpected emotional highs and lows, not to mention the humor. I can’t imagine the journey you’ve been on. Thank you for your vision, drive, generosity and openness. I look forward to encouraging my friends and family to support future screening opportunities. Yours is the third film I have heard of recently contributing to an important body of work shining the spotlight on DC youth, their joys and pains. The other 2 are the Earth Conservation Corps’ film documenting their trip to New Orleans and the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services’ effort to document how their changing the culture of juvenile justice from warehousing to youth development. (The last one is still in the concept phase.) These stories must be told. DC is changing, rapidly. And neighbors need to know one another.
Michael Coffey
Program Associate
Hill-Snowdon Foundation
http://www.hillsnowdon.org
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Much success to this project. I was the one and only female trombone player for Ballou Marching Band many, many years ago. This was before MLK Day became a national holiday. We had the honor of performing for Stevie Wonder on MLK Avenue. As a Ballou Alum, I support this worthy cause.
- Maria Reams
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Michael and Casey,
The film was WONDERFUL!! It was truly moving and inspiring! You captured the drama and humor and heart and soul of the Marching Band perfectly. We were crying and laughing and totally swept away by it.
Mr. Watson is an amazing human being. Thank goodness you guys have made such a great film to show the world all that he and the kids have achieved.
Thanks again for inviting us today [to the private screening]. It was so fun to see it with the kids and see how much it impacted them.
Great job! I know it will be a winner at all the film festivals.
Free Minds
www.freeminds.org
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Thanks again for including us in this project. My colleagues and I were blown away by the film. We knew the kids were special and we’ve been so pleased to have them at our annual Light The Night Walk, but it wasn’t until we had such an intimate look into their lives via the film that we all truly realized what they go through on a daily basis in pursuit of success as a team.
The Ballou Band participates annually in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk at Freedom Plaza. This event is known nationwide as the “Light The Night Walk”.
There was a great mix of emotion and humor throughout the film. I think the humor is especially important for the audiences’ overall enjoyment of the film.
Like most good documentaries, the hand of the film-makers is rarely seen. You [got] all the kids and adults to represent themselves in their own words.
Mr. Watson is clearly one of the “stars” of the film, and the true-to-life humor, commitment and compassion he exhibits in scenes throughout the film are great emotional precursors to his tearful expression of appreciation near the end of the film. A great job of “character building.”
Finally, one last plug for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: we are so glad to have befriended the Ballou Band and we are excited that one of our events, the Light The Night Walk, is featured in the film. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. To that end, any broad exposure to the general public helps us to raise awareness of important blood cancer issues, and also reach patients and families that may be in need of our services.
Please see below for the contact information for both our Home Office in New York and our local office in Alexandria, VA.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605
1-800-955-4572
www.lls.org
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
National Capital Area Chapter
5845 Richmond Highway
Suite 800
Alexandria, VA 22303
703-960-1100
www.lls.org/nca
Thanks again and our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Best wishes,
Josh
Joshua Currier
Campaign Manager
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
National Capital Area Chapter
5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 800
Alexandria, VA 22303
703.960.1100, ext. 232
www.lightthenight.org/nca
July 27th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I just wanted to say again how impressed I was with your touching movie. It really showcased some great story telling, great kids, and a great program, without overindulging in the sentiment. Across the board it was touching, intelligent, and sweet, and your editing and film talents are so natural, I couldn’t quite conceptualize that someone I know could bring that all together.
- Shannon Manley
July 27th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Bravo. Congratulations, The film was super!
- Jeanne Welsh
July 27th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I was so impressed by the film! It was such an inspiring story and so completely beautifully told by you. It was clear that the students at the [private]screening were so proud of the way they were depicted. Congratulations! I am spreading the word because I want everyone to see this film!
- Kelli Taylor
Free Minds
www.freeminds.org
July 27th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
First, CONGRATULATIONS! It was so inspiring to see an audience moved to laughter, tears, joy and just plain raw human emotion by your work. You guys did a great job!! Good luck on your submissions and final edits!! Again, GREAT JOB!
- Donna Lewis
August 9th, 2007 at 12:04 am
What a great movie about a great teacher and the positive impact one man can have on a community. A refreshing wave of good news in a sea of negativity. It’s messages like this that the city needs to promote.
Again, a really terrific movie with a very powerful message that should be seen by every DC public School teacher and employee as well as every elected official.
-Mark Segraves
WTOP Radio
August 26th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
In observing the Marching Knights legacy, I can only stand back and be proud of what I had the most pleasurable opportunity in being a part of.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
thats my school.yall r the bomb.ill be there soon
September 27th, 2007 at 2:54 am
i luv the film of my old ballou band i’m so glad i was apart of a wonderful group and staff. i luv yall guys so much words just cant explain. i’m sooooooo pround of all yall. keep up the good work and dont let nobody tell u that u cant do nothing. and to granddaddy(MR. WATSON) that’s for everything u did for me and i really do look as u as a great grandfather i never had. and to my daddy(MR. HUFF) i would also like to thank u for being there for me to. i luv all yall(family). KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL\GREAT WORK. SEE YALL LATER..
September 30th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I’m a Ballou alumni who graduated in 1980. I actually marched with the band as a step barret and I’m just so proud of Ballou’s accomplishments!
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 am
I met Darrell in 2005 when they agreed to come to our little town of Annville to be in Pennsylvania’s largest Memorial Day parade. I told him soon after I met him and the band that someone needed to do a documentary about them - so glad someone decided to tell their story. It is a story that needs to be heard. If you have the chance to see their movie - don’t miss it. I have been blessed to have them in my life and see nothing but good things coming from the Ballou Marching Knights, their director, Darrell, and their incredible volunteers that love these kids and give them hope. Thank you to all of you for forever changing my life. I love all of you! Becky Gacono
October 4th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I was so moved by this band and the struggles they have encountered. It really shows that positive thinking can make it happen.
I have two sons that are in marching band as well. We are with a small high school, but the energy at the football games is overwelming. I wish the Ballou band and their director much success.
October 5th, 2007 at 1:41 am
I taught English at Ballou for 20 years. You cannot know how happy I am to finally see some positive attention and support being given to these wonderful kids. And there are many others like them struggling against almost impossible odds. Located in one of the poorest sections of D.C., we who worked there have watched our school get the leftovers–Never enough books (one year I had 200 students and ONE class set of English books!) ; band instruments that had to be borrowed or donated when others were through with them; asphalt falling from our ceilings; a flat roof that leaked year in and year out. Ballou was often the dumping ground for teachers and principals who fell”out of favor” with the administration or “made trouble.” While I taught there, we had 20 different principals (and at least six others after I left. The advent of crack cocaine into the community really made it hard on the students. Eventually so many students were shot in the streets that they didn’t even bother announcing the latest victim over the P.A. And bringing in counselors to work with the survivors? That’s a joke! Never happened. But it was the terrific kids that kept us teachers working there. Ask any teacher—as tough as it could be– teaching there with no support –most would say that it wasn’t the students that gave them the problems. And so my heart bursts with pride for Ballou, and joy that they are finally getting recognized for who they have been all along. And congratulations to Mr. Watson and the band for finally getting some support and much deserved attention. Joan Pierotti, teacher (retired–but still teaching!!)
October 5th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I saw the band director on the “Ellen” show. I am so glad to hear that the movie will be screened at the White House because now maybe our government will remember how vital music is to our children. It angers me that school budgets have cut nearly all music programs and art programs. It’s music and art that define a civilized society and gives outlet to the natural creativity of young expanding minds. With no outlet, they have no choice sometimes to take that energy to the streets. I agree with Mark Segraves (above) who says every teacher (though I think in the country) and EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL should see this movie. Thank you for making this documentary. The band and it’s director are making history and it should be acknowledged and duplicated!!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Having had opportunity to see the Majestic Marching Knights at the Memorial Day parade in Annville, PA in 2005 & 2006 I was blown away by the band members and their director and the volunteers. Knowing their story, the fact that kids come with NO experience and are encouraged to give their all to something brings hope for a bright future. Changing our world one kid at a time is a such an admirable life’s work. We should all strive to be like Darrell! The movie is a wonderful way to put in the lime light the positive news of Darrell and his love for the students despite what could be perceived as insurmountable odds! Bless you!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I am so happy to see that Ballou is receiving the recognition it deserves. The band director Mr. Watson has truly made a difference with this group of kid’s. When I was a flag girl with the band some fourteen years ago I knew him as “Doonie”, a guy who loved this high school marching band so much that even though he was no longer a student he still found the time to help the then band director, Mr. Chisholm. I can honestly say that because of him the flag girls, who never received any recognition, started to get the attention that they deserved. The three years that I participated with the marching band was truly the best time of my life. Thank you so much for this documentary, it has truly touched not only the “strangers” to Ballou, but those of us who were once walking in the same shoes as the current band and auxiliary members.
Sincerely,
Theresa Fletcher
October 24th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I am a Ballou Alumni and I would like so “Bravo” to you and your team on the documentary. Unfortunately, bad news makes money in the national media. If it wasn’t for your efforts, many across the country would not know how big and great things happen amongst the turmoils of an inner city. As I’ve traveled across the world and back a few times in the last 16 years of my military service, I am usually updated on the bad things that have happened to my city and thus my school. It feels great to get some good news for once. I would like to wish you good luck on having the documentary viewed across the world and I would surely like to when when and where it will be available for purchase. Keep up the great work!!!
Sincerely,
JOHN J. BENNETT
1LT, MILITARY POLICE
United States Army
December 5th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
To: The Ballou Marching Band.
I. Ms Holmes am a resident of Washington, DC and all of my relatives still lives there. One sister not too far from your school.
I am so very proud of all of you. Iam a senior citizen and I am just overjoyed just hearing about your progress and how God is blessing you through others taking interest.
Keep the faith and stay encouraged. God has great things in store for all of you.
May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.
Ms B Holmes
Denver, Colorado
December 5th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Congrads Dunnie From Stacey ,Gracies brother and former UDC Strider (Uba Phi Tuba) and H.D.Woodson class of 1985 but more important member of the 1983-1984 Cotton Bowl Band I’m proud to have you and yours apart of this special Bowl Oganization its simply and was for a long time just two members The Cardoza Marching Band aslo went to the Rose Bowl ,H.D.Woodson Marching Band Cotton Bowl , and now you F.W.Ballou Marching Band Rose Bowl 2009 once again much love and good fortune even if i’m not a Knight but a Warrior I’ve got your back if you need anything feel free to call on me
February 4th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I just want to say congrats to the ballou marching band and that you all have come so far. This band is making my school year a wonderful school year. Mr. Watson You have made a big impact on my life and I just want to say thank you….
New and improved Clarinet
April 7th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
raven go ballou i am a fan and my aunt is in the band i go to every show