Marching to Their Own Beat: Band Helps Students Succeed

Sept. 24, 2007 — -- In southeast Washington, D.C., -- an economically depressed area with low incomes and high crime rates -- a new melody resonates in the streets and residents' hearts thanks to the Ballou Senior High School Marching Knights.

Band director Darrell Watson's mission is to instill and inspire young musicians with the senior high school band.

For Watson, a Ballou alumnus himself, directing a band is a labor of love.

"I don't want to turn away any child because that one child we turn away might be that one child we might lose," he said. "I wanted to let them know that someone was here that will be there for them through the thick and thin, no matter what."

And for the knights, more than mere pride is at stake when it performs.

Unlike bands in other school districts, Ballou's instruments aren't the newest. In fact, the program has few resources.

"We use duct tape to fix about everything," one student said.

Yet that doesn't stop the sweet and robust songs from flowing out of the band and shattering neighborhood stereotypes.

Its dedication is seen in its discipline. Every day the band practices for more than three hours and while students do have fun, playing also is about precision.

The knights' devotion has led to national prominence. Two filmmakers have documented the band's recent quest for a national competition title in a big screen film called "Ballou."

"I think it's [a] family," said "Ballou" director Mike Patrei. "It's people coming together and doing what is best for their family, their community and overcoming any obstacles."

The film's producers believe the band sets an example for the neighborhood youth.

"Sometimes all that negative energy that is directed to a place like southeast Washington can have its impact onto youth," said "Ballou" producer Casey Callister. "Maybe they walk around with their heads hung low because people think bad of them and the band brings their head ups high."

Watson's care, patience and love already have netted results. In a city where many students drop out of school, last spring the band's 14 seniors all graduated. They all will attend college this fall.

"To see kids walk across the stage and see the tears in their eye -- it gets harder and harder every year," said Watson. "Because as they walk across, I am the one over there boo-hooing in the corner because I know they made it."

One march, one song and one instrument at a time, the band changes how kids view themselves, Watson explains.

"This band basically is like anger management for me, for real. I've been walking away from fights and all that," one student said in the film. "Ever since I got in this band, I ain't been doing the things that I usually do."

Now with the recent start of the school year, the Majestic Marching Knights are preparing to compete not only on the field, but in the classroom and community, too.