THE SECRET SONG
Film Poster for "The Secret Song". A man has a smile on his face as he points drum mallets toward his students.
THE SECRET SONG
Film Poster for "The Secret Song". A man has a smile on his face as he points drum mallets toward his students.
A tight-knit school with music at its core faces the challenge of learning under the pandemic lockdown. The film celebrates the dynamism that teachers bring forth in the classroom, and how a sense of belonging helps us surmount hardships and adversity

THE SECRET SONG

Regular price $129.00
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KATE HEARST AWARD FOR HUMAN CONNECTIVITY - Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival | MARION HERRMAN EXCELLENCE IN FILMMAKING AWARD - Sedona Film Festival | OFFICIAL SELECTION - SXSW EDU | OFFICIAL SELECTION - SF DocFest

The Power of Music Education • Building Community • Student Performance • Online Learning during the Pandemic


 

Date of Completion: 2022 | Run Time: 90 & 56 minutes​​ | Language: English (Spanish and Italian subtitles available upon request) | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director: Samantha Campbell | Producers: Todd Dayton & Rachel Benson | Consulting Producer: Christy McGill | Editor: Jeff Boyette

THE SECRET SONG is an immersive view into the final chapter of Doug Goodkin’s 45-year career teaching music to children in San Francisco. In what could have been a glorious celebration of art and community, the veteran teacher finds his efforts to instill a sense of belonging interrupted by the pandemic. Covid’s surprise entrance to Goodkin’s final year makes visible the value of improvisation in navigating real-world challenges.

Randy Myers | SJ Mercury
"Anyone who ever had a special teacher, one who elevated and inspired them forever, will appreciate and identify with Samantha Campbell’s documentary."

Pam Grady | SF Chronicle
“Samantha Cambpell’s enchanting portrait of San Francisco music teacher Doug Goodkin is almost two films in one.”

Dennis Harvey | 48 Hills
“Inspiring... THE SECRET SONG chronicles the “pied piper” approach to teaching music of 45-year veteran Doug Goodkin... it shows its subjects forced to accommodate some radical changes during COVID shutdown.”