TEEN TOUR MEMORIES
Local filmmaker was a member of the band four decades ago
Morgan Elliott has been making documentaries for 25 years, shooting in 48 countries.
But her latest may be her greatest. Near and dear to her heart, “Band Geeks” profiles world-renowned Burlington Teen Tour Band members as they prepare for the Rose Parade in California.
The local filmmaker directed, wrote, and produced the documentary and it became a sort of homecoming for her as she was a member of the band herself four decades ago.
The one-hour documentary features several intimate stories of local teenage band members, from Lauryn who suffers from alopecia to Dylan who finds respite in the band from the pressures of teenage life.
The new CBC Docs POV (Point Of View) “Band Geeks” premières Friday, Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. on CBC. Viewers can also watch “Band Geeks” online at www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov, beginning Friday at noon.
Less than four months to go before the parade, the 220 Burlington Teen Tour Band members, including 60 newcomers, have to be uniformed and brought up to speed — learn to march, learn the field show, memorize 20 pieces of music, and get conditioned for walking the nine-kilometre parade route.
For them, the Rose Parade represents the Olympics of the band world. Only four international marching bands are invited to attend the parade each year.
They wear their red band jackets with pride. Band “geeks” have the potential to be targets for taunting, but these kids have 220 “bandies” through thick and thin.
Lifelong friendships are made and only a band geek knows how special it really is to be part of something so big.
Just ask filmmaker Elliott. The Burlington Teen Tour Band was a lifeline for her during a crisis in her teen years.
Her stepfather was involved in a headon car crash as he drove home from a business meeting on March 1, 1979. His car caught on fire, and he remained in a coma in hospital for three years before he died.
For her family, it was a devastating time, and she got through it thanks to the band. It took her mind away from the troubles going on at home and hospital, and allowed her to be a teenager again.
“It was good for my mom so that she could deal with what she had to deal with,” she said. “I still have a dozen band friends who I’ve been friends with my whole life.”
In fact, one of them is now teaching her daughter the flute.
“I’m so thankful to be able to tell the story of the band,” she said. “It shows how incredible these kids are. They’ve got a job and they work on their ranks and files and as soon as they stand at ease, they’re right back to normal.”
Elliott was with the band for five years, including a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1980.
While filming the documentary, Elliott admitted to experiencing several moments of déjà vu — the walk into the music centre, the centre itself and, of course, marching around the parking lot.
“You walk in, you close your eyes, and I could be there in the clarinet section with my friends,” she said. “There’s a band geek in all of us. And it’s great to be able to promote any kind of marching band, musicianship and the arts.”
CBC only chooses 18 documentaries each year for the POV series, and it receives 15 to 20 pitches each week from filmmakers, Elliott said.
“‘Band Geeks’ is so awesome to me because I want to get up on the mountaintops and scream and tell the world how wonderful the band is,” she said.
Viewers witness the preparation for the Rose Bowl parade from the teenagers’ point of view, as they try to balance the emotional and physical pressures of being world-class performers with home, school and work life.
The documentary also includes interviews with the band’s managing director Rob Bennett and music director Bill Hughes.
“The emotional journey of these high school students showcases some of the best of Canada’s youth today,” added Elliott. “The friendships, camaraderie, and sheer talent make you remember how high school life was full of possibilities — and you can’t help but cheer them on as you watch.”
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And it’s great to be able to promote any kind of marching band, musicianship and the arts. MORGAN ELLIOTT
Filmmaker