How do school bands / orchestras play at DISNEY WORLD?

[SandraC]

How do school bands / orchestras play at DISNEY WORLD? Thanks Sandra

 

[scanne]

There are several programs for music ensembles. Disney's Magic Music Days is an audition-based program. In 2004, I took a group of 8th grade singers. I submitted a video of two songs and the students had special costumes. Disney has very strict guidelines (as you can imagine) and I was very careful when selecting the music, costumes, hairstyles - everything. My students thought I was crazy, but I really wanted to get them in on the first audition. And we did!!!

We went to WDW over President's Day Weekend 2004. We participated in a workshop and performed at the MK. The rest of the time, we played in the parks. Those students are now going into their sophomore year in college and they still come back to visit and talk about how memorable that trip was.

Disney has recently started a couple of new programs. Festival Disney and one other, but I can't remember what it's called. One is open to everyone and one is by invitation only.

There used to be an organization called SINGabration that brought a LARGE group of singers to WDW, and I think that they still offer this.

If you're a choral director or band director, you can go to www.magicmusicdays.com and sign up for more info. If you're a student, express interest to your teacher!

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take another group to WDW and I have tried, but with budget restricitions and other things, there have been many conflicts. So it's been 5 years - maybe next year will be the year???

 

[chartle]

My sons' band did it 3.5 years ago (I was a chaperon) and right now I am planning trip for this Feb.

The first day we had a class in the backstage area of epcot. The instructor took them through a session like studio musicians. After that they had the day in epcot.

The next day they had a special breakfast with a disney personality who gave them a talk about being a disney performer and then mickey came out and we took a bunch of pics.

Later that day the band marched down main street before the 3:00 parade. After we stayed in the park.

The next day was at MGM and the next day we came home.

It was a great trip and I look forward to doing it again.

 

[erincon23]

Quite well, thank you!

- Erin
(parent from the mighty Crystal Lake South (IL) band and choir, performing at Downtown Disney on 3/25/09)

 

[CathieArms]

I got to do that in HS. It was a really great experience.

 

[Macca1111]

Sandra, just a heads up I think all of us have had experiences from the US. I think clinking the link above would help you figure out if it's available for Canadian students as well.

 

[DIS-OH]

I've been on 8 trips with a HS Marching Band...Magic Music Days is the program we go through and every trip has been terrific! We usually march at Epcot in the evening and just before Spectro at MK, but I know there are lots of other options as well.

 

[phisigprincess]

My dance team went down through Magic Music Days. Go to the website the PP mentioned and read over the submission guidelines. It's a process, but it was one of the greatest experiences I've had.

 

[daemom]

Last spring our high school band participated in Magic Music Days and were able to start off Spectro! The kids who had never been to Disney had no idea what to expect and were amazed at the number of people along the parade route. My DS says that it has been the highlight of his band years so far. He also talks about while they were behind the gate waiting to come out onto Main Street, the gate was vibrating from all of the noise of the parade goers! Every student in that band is ready to go back and do it again! AND all of the students participating got a t-shirt-- size XL. If you can do it, definitely go!