Inspiring marching band gets big surprise

Band director James Perry at Eastern High School in Washington, D.C., opens up how much the band does for its students despite the financial obstacles they face.
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[@rondaswinton5610]

Jayson is my son! I’m so proud of him and I love the band and him being a part of this organization!!

[@brianag9726]

You raised an amazing son!

[@itsdoc72]

As a former JSU Sonic Boom member and tuba player. If it's anything we can do for Jayson please reach out.!!!!

[@tindee3052]

Good luck to him and his future 😊.

[@mrsdudeandkids]

Band kids are the best! 🎺📯🎷🥁

[@jae6506]

I hope someone gives the coach a special donation. He def deserves it!! Amazing kids and an amazing performance👏🏾

[@paulapeaks3382]

I love the outfits the young ladies are wearing. So tasteful and classic. So proud of the whole program. My hat goes off the everyone who give of themselves wholeheartedly to help these children be successful in all they do👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@MagnumVa5840]

Congratulations and job well done Director James Perry. Mr Perry is a graduate of Norfolk State University and a former member of the Spartan Legion Marching Band there. The Green and Gold Spartan vibe is quite evident in the Eastern High School band. BEHOLD THE GREEN & GOLD - JAMES PERRY 💚💛

[@sharone.langley2923]

and Norfolk State was loud and proud at their recent Rose Parade appearance. Love the HBCU pipeline and legacy. Kudos Mr. Perry and Eastern HS

[@babyboygio7841]

I can feel that JSU vibe. I like it. Congratulations. Keep doing big things with this program

[@charisetherealist]

C/O 2008!! I’m so proud to be an alum of this program! I remember when Mr. Perry joined us in 06 and I’m so proud that he has kept our legacy and tradition Alive, I’m a proud alumni dancer and so happy to see my high school get the recognition it deserves!

[@MedicalAssistingwithMsK]

Same! Class of ‘03 💙🤍

[@taylorwest4414]

Y’all came to Atlanta back in 2009 and did an amazing job.

[@jaylenjamar2926]

Yessss send them kids to a HBCU!! We love to see it !!

[@zettanganga8015]

As a former Clarinet Player in my Middle School's band, this really touched my Soul. Well Done. Great Band and Amazing Dancers. So much Class.

[@MedicalAssistingwithMsK]

So glad this is posted as I was sad that I missed it live! Thank you GMA for covering their story 😊 I’m an alum of this band C/O 2003 and my daughter is now in the band C/O of 2023 💙🤍 Go Ramblers!

[@brianag9726]

Teachers do much more than teach.❤ I recently asked neighbors to donate unwanted board games and yarn for my classroom and school and have gotten an amazing response. Women in my exercise class have given me cash and a check for $30 after we chatted about students who needed things. I have not sold a car to support my students. Bless this amazing man!

[@naturalbluti6823]

Smiling from ear to ear seeing these babies on here ESPECIALLY Demetrius!!!!!!! 🥰

[@Ravenous25]

Tears in my eyes

[@dalskyguy]

They sound and look great! C’mon ladies…yes!!!!

[@dustercat21]

I remember my band days- our uniforms were almost 20 years old at that point and it took my director years of fighting with the school board to get them to give money for new ones. The year after I graduated they finally got new ones but those are now 16 years old these days. The shoes we always bought on our own and while they werent too expensive, they were still expected to last 4 years of games and competitions. We could order a new pair if we needed to but that was too much of an expense for many of the families. Something like this is nice to see for a band but mostly because music programs are generally underrated by the school boards in many areas to the point where they're using uniforms or shoes older than most cars on the road. When I was in hs, we even had a parent who was a seemstress who helped bc it had gotten to a point where uniforms needed regular repairs. Only ones who got new outfits every year were the dancers and flags but thats only bc they did yearly fundraising events to keep up with the cost of customizing it for every show theme. Eventually my school stopped paying for our bussing budget for competitions after I left and I've heard they stopped competition because of it. Music programs really need to be supported by our schools and its truly sad when the football teams or other sports get new uniforms every year but a band goes 15 to 20 years without a new uniform.

[@DrBeckyEm]

They are blessed to have you as director!

[@avagd6293]

Richest country on earth, the United States with multi millionaires. No school should have any financial problems. Props for the person or persons that stepped up donating the shoes. Millionaire pro football, basketball, actors and others need to do better supporting education institutions, because too many politicians do not deserve holding theirs do nothing positions.

[@TrueIvy86]

So true.

[@lilliansteele7165]

As my aunt the late and honorable Mrs. Rosie Mae Tabor Howard used to say at Shiloh Baptist Church "Yes sir"! And yes m'am to you from her niece LJ Steele,MA Retired K12 Educator.

[@michelleallen4052]

Good job I was a marching band from major in high school graduated in 1984 in California I love marching bands

[@DEEZEyezTV]

It's something you NEVER outgrow! I was a high school drum major in NC in 1974/75! I'm STILL a band fanatic to this day! #BandHead4Life

[@rollingwitced7479]

Amazing ❤❤❤ James Perry is a great guy. Kudos to him and all he has done. His students will always remember the things he has instilled in them. Kudos and they sound and look amazing

[@chedganda]

We need to focus on Marching band too! And they're right, they're are the heartbeat of the community!!!

[@kimberlycronen3998]

Is there a GoFundMe to replace the band director's car?

[@kathyweaver3251]

Marching band creates a wonderful family! You're so talented! Keep marching on!

[@Kiam202]

Although I was never a part of this band this was the band that made me choose to join marching band in high school.

[@amberf6275]

Correct shoes such a seemingly small thing but it'll make their marching so much more comfortable. What a great set of ambassadors for their community!

[@kayb3590]

Love that this young man is doing something positive and productive for his students!!!

[@jarcedricbradley1812]

As a band director myself this makes my day

[@bgknowable]

DC proud!

[@snobbypolitics7792]

This is awesome! Congrats to Eastern! ❤❤❤

[@jenamcgowan2868]

Band Kids Are the BEST Kids!!

[@jenamcgowan2868]

My son, daughter and daughter in law are all music educators! All of my grandchildren play and Two in college received scholarships!!

[@Broadtolove]

@@jenamcgowan2868 Hey Jena! Apologies for dropping this here I came across your KZbin channel and I would love to know you better. I'm guessing you must be an honest person, because I always found your comments to be so nice and respectful. If it's okay with you, I'd love to be friend but if it sounds odd or embarrassing in any way please don't embarrass me by replying. Have a wonderful day, and keep sharing!

[@silky0439]

Awesome! We need more dedicated teachers like Him in our schools. I wouldn’t be as concerned for our children’s futures if this were so. Most, these days, are there for the paycheck only. The trend started in the 70’s I believe. At least, that was when I heard a teacher in high school say, “I get paid whether you pass or not(learn or not ).” This struck me to the core. It wasn’t My teacher, but was still a teacher. How much worse has it gotten since then?

[@klomax7089]

You GO Band Director and kids!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@clewis382]

Band seems patterned after the Sonic Boom!! Good job

[@TomazHilton]

It’s A mixture of TxSU, SU, NCAT and Norfolk

[@verdelskijones5161]

They are really good 🎉🎉🎉

[@tindee3052]

This is amazing 👏👏. The band director will have a powerful impact on those kids lives forever.

[@verajones9158]

BEAUTIFUL❤❤❤❤!!!!!

[@julie.1081]

I just love it when the band nerds are considered the cool kids! It used to be that band kids were looked down on (I don't know why but they were). But with a great leader? Way to go Mr. Perry!

[@contactpq]

Noice!! This band has a really clean sound!

[@vanessabrown2802]

I love this!

[@reviewswithtamia]

Love this! As an orchestra teacher I can relate to being there for my students and knowing that students tend to confine in the teachers who support and validate their feelings. I am slowly going through the process of taking over a program from a different teacher while also learning that its my program and that the students have to get to know me and I have to get to know them.

[@camilleheid2497]

Great job Mr. Perry and thank you for teaching the students proper instrument holding - parallel to the ground - not up - not down - but parallel!!! So great to see a mentor who goes the extra mile teaching by example!!!!!

[@roseamberzine5846]

Beautiful!

[@missharvey_]

seen them perform last month, they are definitely dedicated!!

[@cattycorner8]

They sound fantastic!

[@NewYawkahBroad]

Dedicated mentors are so important to the youth.

[@kathyhames2200]

👍💯💜💙❤️❣️💕Love from a band member

[@lc2296]

So proud

[@melindagarcia1245]

I was in band in High School. The best feeling!!!!

[@deestaton2205]

Love to see it. EHS keep grinding your story is amazing and deserves to be heard. Truly inspired. Some of you adults in the comments degrading CHILDREN should be ashamed of yourself. It’s sickening and I’m praying for y’all seriously.

[@j.parrish385]

Y'all sound very good...🎶🎵🎶🎵💃🏽

[@zabugd2379]

Good for them ❤❤

[@ajathomas5038]

That's is so amazing

[@Eminenceprince]

Come to Jackson State kids!!!! #Sonicboom

[@j.parrish385]

Bless you Band Director Perry.. Bless you Band I appreciate ya'll.. where are the car companies now... ????

[@darrellross8122]

Yesss for the Stingette count !!

[@queen4one]

Love it

[@eileenstehr7680]

WOW!!!

[@kha192005]

Love to see black excellence!!! Keeping striving Perry

[@Arcenia13]

Bravooooo!!

[@joannkennedy9267]

Love them for the Last 20 years. This is why, Black People never gonna disappear.🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️🍎🥰🥰🥰😣💕💕

[@director1914]

Congrats Prof Perry

[@Gkilla745]

Cool

[@SyriusStarMultimedia]

I filmed two Eastern H.S. Marching Band entire performances 6 and 7 years ago.

[@toninabinett3107]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@lisakayser8234]

❤

[@christylbaby23]

Yassssss Eball 🐏

[@ryanguerra2024]

So horrible that they went without sufficient funding for so long. The rest of the US needs to fund the fine arts like states like Texas.

[@bossman4782]

As a band member at the collage level form pg county good job sound. Nice wish y’all would think about m3 and come to Morgan

[@TomazHilton]

M3 gonna be a force next year, I can’t wait to see y’all.

[@j_y06]

It was great seeing them come to fayetteville

[@bgknowable]

Showtime or HBO should do a show about this high school, also.

[@gilbtyre16]

They had one some time ago it was on BET

[@TOBEINTHELIFE]

Black Power!

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

Get that man a car!!!

[@heyitszoeyg6915]

that's my school

[@mtm7800]

You have a great band! I wish you success in whatever you pursue. 🤓

[@ffqueen]

That is dedication for him to have sold his car! Also a travesty! There should be enough funds!!

[@carollowe3704]

every school band means a lot to its community. so sad that they have to become salespeople/beggars to keep themselves going.

[@Beautifully.Creole]

Love this! Does the band have any Southern University connections?

[@TomazHilton]

Not many, but this school was the first to debut SUs New Drum major Uniform design.

[@lilgal423]

C/O 95 go rambelers blue and white

[@a.golden790]

C/O 1998... Always a RAMBLER!

[@Donutstick]

My stomach keeps rumbling

[@Blackte4]

E Ball All day.. 1996

[@phyllisalston6551]

Get the man a car.

[@Broadtolove]

Hey Phyllis! Apologies for dropping this here I came across your KZbin channel and I would love to know you better. I'm guessing you must be an honest person, because I always found your comments to be so nice and respectful. If it's okay with you, I'd love to be friend but if it sounds odd or embarrassing in any way please don't embarrass me by replying. Have a wonderful day, and keep sharing!

[@marcus_harris38]

Tennessee State Aristocrat of Bands is a great band too

[@Tri.dawg1]

Not better than jsu

[@marcus_harris38]

@@Tri.dawg1 whatever. I played at Tennessee State.

[@TomazHilton]

@@marcus_harris38 considering y’all got beat down by Kentucky State ….. y’all not better than JSU 😂

[@markroy2321]

We had and have student(s) at TnSU

[@exhxn]

I see my self a lil bit

[@dadajurgenhotmaildada4693]

👀👀👌🔥🔥🔥

[@4ty4]

Bravo to this teacher for selling his car, but *******it this should not be happening in America, and it doesn't happen just a few miles across the border in NoVA and Md. We can and MUST do better by our teachers and our children, everywhere!

[@TomazHilton]

It’s worse in PG County. It seems like every URBAN area is poorly funded

[@gailhughes2766]

Staceyopalhughes

[@khalilahel-amin3060]

The shoes would’ve been a nice beginning but since they were on Good Morning America I thought that they would at least give the brother a car since he had to sell his car and some money for the band. There are way too many millionaires in this country that these kids should not have gotten more-😢 I’m sorry!

[@mlovings4793]

Be encouraged... Consider NCAT

[@TomazHilton]

A Former Dancer is now Captain for Golden Delight ❤ Jewel forever 💎

[@waynebennett745]

So sad the ONLY thing you heard were the whole notes blasting over everybody else.

[@craigtate755]

They are kids... stop hating please they are awesome!!!!

[@waynebennett745]

@@craigtate755 i'm not attacking the kids. I'm saying the audio is positioned to where that's all you hear.

[@shon7425]

The uniforms look like Southern University in Baton Rouge

[@Nik_Key]

I was thinking the same thing! 💙💛💙

[@nigelevans7056]

Big facts

[@tiffday41]

Yes they do but notice how the news man mention JSU

[@tamaratolbert8617]

Come to Virginia Union University and join the Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band!! We offer scholarships!!

[@Gabster1990]

Underfunded school programs in the nation's capital? What a joke.

[@liquidlightz]

Underfunded Schools in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. What a joke.

[@brianag9726]

School finding is not equal, unfortunately.

[@theresap.3305]

Lots of schools down south have band booster clubs that help with expenses. It is sad that the band director had to sell his car for funds. I was waiting for GMA to present him with a new car or at least a down payment.

[@Gabster1990]

@@theresap.3305 What are booster clubs?

[@liquidlightz]

@@theresap.3305 he was gifted a new car through a GoFundMe someone created when the band was featured in the Washington Post and the local community raised $150,000 for the band program.

[@lilliansteele7165]

Just like Mr. Perry, I too placed my students first. However, I did this first item before anything here on earth: 1. God. Next 2. My parent's and grandparents' ancestors who were from and lived on both sides of the Atlantic. 3. Let's get started, everyone, ie my students. Just sayin'.

[@hydont8854]

bro got souhtern uniforms wth

[@theresap.3305]

I thought that too! I was wondering if the band teacher marched with the Human Jukebox. Also, the dancers are wearing gloves like the dolls.💕

[@christinamonica3]

Lol 🤣 let these kids be inspired

[@londons_diary]

@@theresap.3305mr. Perry marched with the spartan legion

[@mosegipson5275]

Alcorn State University DOB has scholarships. Contact Dr. Emerson Martin.

[@AngelicaRodriguez-vv1bw]

She needs more training in news casting just don’t like her to slow at talking

[@SAP_Drums]

Blend and balance is ummmmm not there

[@TomazHilton]

What you on?!?

[@purplecupp3046]

U look at HS bands in NOLA where band saves lives in the murder capital what would be worst without bands. Fact. DC is nice and all. But nola hs dont have those resources and bands are bigger and sound better. Lol. St Aug Marching100 is located in a dangerous area lol.

[@TomazHilton]

DC don’t either DC currently has 150 plus schools but only 2-4 Marching bands (Eastern is the most active) This used to be a city where it used to have 15 Band programs active with well over 80 members. One major HS was well over 150 members (Cardozo black HS to be invited to March Rose bowl 1982) and one Feeder Middle school was over 200 (Shaw Jr HS). As for sounding good? Ask McKinley HS about this school 😉

[@purplecupp3046]

@@TomazHilton St aug HS did rosa bowl in 2002 lol. Edna karr hS went to London a few yrs ago also.

[@TomazHilton]

@@purplecupp3046 I know all of this already.

[@MrGilliardMusicToo]

@@TomazHilton Folks just gotta show up and pee in someone else's cornflakes because they mad about their own bowl. Eastern's getting some love now. Good for them. It's their opportunity to shine in the area. Props to Mr. Perry for keeping an ensemble together even through the mess that DCPS has done with instrumental music.

[@TomazHilton]

@@MrGilliardMusicToo exactly

[@funday8242]

poor little girls .... a bit raunchy moves???

[@glamouriche5847]

Guess you haven't been to any national dance competitions with some of the nation's top dance companies.

[@funday8242]

I understand. There is a level of low standards of decency disguised as "cool".. teens thrusting hips in forward and backwards moves is suggestive. Pounding moves can be done with the hands. Former cheerleader....crude moves are vulgar. However Netflix had a raunchy movie with little girls. Dance shows include these base moves so popularity drives decency. Quality of life is based on morality. It makes us human.

[@glamouriche5847]

@@funday8242 people often judge with negativity what they are not aware of. Many of these moves are centuries old and part of several cultural groups. Sexualizing the moves and bodies of children is ancient as well. I may not agree with every move but I also I'm very aware that COC doing these moves tend to be judge harshly vs when their peers who lack large amounts of melanin do the same moves. That's my issue.

[@funday8242]

@glamouriche5847 - happy Monday am. Too much coffee. Reading responses. I appreciate the historical reference maybe all children should be sheltered from the abundance if serialized content being shoved at them. The kids will get to teenage years and naturally out sexual content. Let nature do b its thing. Hip thrust and twerking is highly suggestive and not appropriate for teens yet alone pre-teen.

[@glamouriche5847]

@@funday8242 but who made or decided that these moves are of a sexual nature as a dance? Furthermore I do think all children at the appropriate time during adolescence should have someone explain to them sexually immoral ways of society, especially as CoC who are overly sexualized regardless of their attire and content of their artistic expression. I rarely see these comments on pages with child dancers of European ancestry dancing burlesque and showgirls routines etc. Many of these young ladies go on to dance in college and become some of our nation's most best citizens. The only one's thinking sexual are grown-ups like us placing terms and labels on children because it's outside of our comfort zone. I do agree that some moves in certain youth routines are too much but this wasn't enough to belittle children. If you don't like it, add to their lives by doing something to help change it for good...but don't down them. Trust society is already geared up to handle that part. I bid you a blessed week and commit some of your time to serving others if you can.

[@strongmermaid4651]

Greet future pole dancers

[@TomazHilton]

Seriously?

[@christinamonica3]

You're just a dirty hateful bitch.

[@sunny7601]

Weirdo

[@Nik_Key]

Maybe your mom can teach them her moves. She probably should have learned to swallow but that’s another story!

[@ginamillington2805]

They are majorettes. Nothing raunchy about their movies; all I saw was the traditional buck most dancelines do.