- In the segregated South, music inspires two marching band directors to cross color lines and give their students the opportunity of a lifetime.
- "Marching Forward" is the history of two dedicated high school band directors-one black, one white-inspired by music to cross color lines in the Deep South and work together for the sake of their students. This courageous cooperation resulted in the experience of a lifetime for Orlando's black and white students at the 1964 New York World's Fair.—Lisa Mills
- This film was born out of an honors public history and documentary class at the University of Central Florida. Students conducted research and interviews. The two instructors continued the work of shooting and editing after the class ended. This is the fourth such effort of Dr. Lisa Mills and Dr. Robert Cassanello, whose past films The Committee won a Suncoast Emmy and Filthy Dreamers a College Emmy. This historical documentary centers around fascinating characters with humorous and poignant stories that address the same issues of race, education, and equality with which the U.S. still struggles today. At its center are two high school band directors - one black, one white - who were ahead of their time because instead of seeing skin color, they saw talent. "Chief" Jim Wilson and "Daddy" Del Kieffner had the courage to cross color lines to do what they thought was best for their students. In 1964, Orlando was still segregated, but everyone in town knew that Jones High School - the black high school - had the best marching band. When Edgewater High School - all white - instead received the invitation to perform at the New York World's Fair, the band directors at both schools launched efforts to fundraise simultaneously, so students at both schools could go to the Fair. The two men worked side by side through car washes, bake sales, and even tree sales, to raise the $25,000 needed. When they came up short, they were able to convince Orlando elected officials to do something unprecedented: provide equal amounts of money to a black and white school so they could meet their fund raising goal. In the end, the theme of the 1964 World's Fair - Peace through Understanding - was achieved in Orlando, as the city began to integrate and was able to avoid the racial violence many other southern cities experienced. The documentary contains many wonderful historic photos and 16mm film footage, providing a feeling of nostalgia for what was surely a simpler time. However, in many other parts of the film we are reminded that the 1963-64 school year was also tumultuous, filled with civil rights protest marches and brutal racial violence. At one point a Jones alumnus recounts a time when he and other black band students demanded that a nearby hamburger stand take their money from the front counter instead of the back door. This action resulted in an Orlando Police response that afternoon at band practice. We are currently seeking funding to animate this particular story and several others that are told with honest dignity and good-natured humor. We have an agreement with a composer to score the film once we receive funding. Audio sweetening and color correction funding is also being sought. Depiction and materials releases have been secured for all persons and photographs featured in the documentary.
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