NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeServiceFine ArtsResidential Life
Wind Ensemble and Steel Drum Band perform at Disney
Jan 24, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Disney World’s Magic Music Days program featured many familiar faces this year. Mickey and Minnie were there, of course, along with Darlington’s 55-member Wind Ensemble and 18-member Steel Drum Band.
“We submitted an application and audition tape and were accepted,” said Bill King, band director for the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
The bands performed in downtown Disney in front of an estimated 750 people from various countries and got to experience Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, the MGM-Disney Studios and more.
"I had always dreamed of performing at Disney, so it was like a dream come true for me," said freshman Ashley Rusaw. "I didn't know that Disney was so picky about who got to play there, and after I found that out, I thought to myself, 'Wow, we must be pretty good!'"
Band members and their chaperones arrived in Orlando the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 5, and spent the following day between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. That night, they ate dinner at Planet Hollywood.
The group was treated to breakfast by Disney and a presentation by the Disney Guest Talent Staff on Friday before taking off to MGM.
According to King, one of the greatest things about the trip was getting to see a glimpse behind-the-scenes at Disney, including the MGM-Disney Studios wardrobe closet anda private tour by Mickey Mouse himself.
“I learned about the vastness of the cast working at Disney World,” said senior Jonathan Lane. “People usually think about how big Disney World is, but most can’t imagine how big the training center and employee locker rooms are. It is really incredible.”
Friday evening, the Wind Ensemble performed at 7:15 p.m., playing Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Flourish for Wind Band,” Eric Osterling’s “Beguine for Flutes,” Jay Ungar’s “Ashokan Farewell,” John Philip Sousa’s “Manhattan Beach March” and Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” a special request from Disney.
“My favorite part of the trip was playing for people,” said freshman Dane Walsh. “Performing is one of my favorite things to do.”
The Steel Drum Band’s 8:30 p.m. performance featured songs like “Jump in the Line” arranged by Jennifer Dueren; “Allah We” by Tom Miller; “Soca Pressure” by Tom Miller, Alan Lightner and Jim Munzerider; “Through the Eyes of Love” from “Ice Castles” arranged by King; and, in true Disney fashion, King’s arrangement of “Under the Sea.”
“The lights prevented you from actually seeing the audience, but you could feel the intensity from them during the concert,” said freshman Hannah Dodd.
Lane agreed. “The audience for both groups was wonderful, but the crowd for the Steel Drum Band was absolutely incredible,” he said. “All the players felt a lot of energy coming from the audience. It’s always great to perform in front of a crowd like that, and it puts everyone at ease.”
After their performances, Darlington’s tour group, Musical Desinations, threw them a pizza party.
Saturday, King took his musicians to eat breakfast in the rain Forest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, after which they spent the day at the park. Later, they attended Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Show.
On Sunday morning, at the special request of Disney, the Steel Drum Band performed during the Disney 25-mile Marathon, which featured more than 26,000 participants. In return, the Steel Band was given a $750 honorarium by Disney to go toward the band’s needs.
"At first I thought it wasn't going to be much fun because we had to get up at 4 a.m., but when the runners started to take pictures of us I felt like a celebrity," said Rusaw. "They were really grateful to us for playing, and that meant a lot to me."
According to King, the runners couldn't get enough of Darlington's talented steel drummers. “When we’d stop playing, they would urge us to play some more. We ended up playing for two-and-a-half solid hours,” he said.
Many even stopped to dance with the band.
“They really seemd to like the music,” said Lane. “It was really rewarding to see that we were recognized on such a great scale.”
After much fun and excitement, the bands boarded buses and headed home to Darlington. Each performing member of both bands and all chaperones received Disney Magic Music Days T-shirts and lapel pins in honor of their performances. King was also presented with a Mickey Mouse ears hat embroidered with the word “director” across the back.
“The bands were also given a Disney Magic Music Days banner for the band room, magnetic signs for each band, and were extended an invitation to return,” said King. “All in all, it was a great experience for all of the participants, and Darlington was well represented by these students in every way.”
Lane went one step further.
“I think performances like these are the publicity that Darlington needs for the arts,” he said. “This could be a step in the right direction toward drawing more students to the School based on our arts program.”
“We submitted an application and audition tape and were accepted,” said Bill King, band director for the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
The bands performed in downtown Disney in front of an estimated 750 people from various countries and got to experience Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, the MGM-Disney Studios and more.
"I had always dreamed of performing at Disney, so it was like a dream come true for me," said freshman Ashley Rusaw. "I didn't know that Disney was so picky about who got to play there, and after I found that out, I thought to myself, 'Wow, we must be pretty good!'"
Band members and their chaperones arrived in Orlando the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 5, and spent the following day between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. That night, they ate dinner at Planet Hollywood.
The group was treated to breakfast by Disney and a presentation by the Disney Guest Talent Staff on Friday before taking off to MGM.
According to King, one of the greatest things about the trip was getting to see a glimpse behind-the-scenes at Disney, including the MGM-Disney Studios wardrobe closet anda private tour by Mickey Mouse himself.
“I learned about the vastness of the cast working at Disney World,” said senior Jonathan Lane. “People usually think about how big Disney World is, but most can’t imagine how big the training center and employee locker rooms are. It is really incredible.”
Friday evening, the Wind Ensemble performed at 7:15 p.m., playing Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Flourish for Wind Band,” Eric Osterling’s “Beguine for Flutes,” Jay Ungar’s “Ashokan Farewell,” John Philip Sousa’s “Manhattan Beach March” and Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” a special request from Disney.
“My favorite part of the trip was playing for people,” said freshman Dane Walsh. “Performing is one of my favorite things to do.”
The Steel Drum Band’s 8:30 p.m. performance featured songs like “Jump in the Line” arranged by Jennifer Dueren; “Allah We” by Tom Miller; “Soca Pressure” by Tom Miller, Alan Lightner and Jim Munzerider; “Through the Eyes of Love” from “Ice Castles” arranged by King; and, in true Disney fashion, King’s arrangement of “Under the Sea.”
“The lights prevented you from actually seeing the audience, but you could feel the intensity from them during the concert,” said freshman Hannah Dodd.
Lane agreed. “The audience for both groups was wonderful, but the crowd for the Steel Drum Band was absolutely incredible,” he said. “All the players felt a lot of energy coming from the audience. It’s always great to perform in front of a crowd like that, and it puts everyone at ease.”
After their performances, Darlington’s tour group, Musical Desinations, threw them a pizza party.
Saturday, King took his musicians to eat breakfast in the rain Forest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, after which they spent the day at the park. Later, they attended Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Show.
On Sunday morning, at the special request of Disney, the Steel Drum Band performed during the Disney 25-mile Marathon, which featured more than 26,000 participants. In return, the Steel Band was given a $750 honorarium by Disney to go toward the band’s needs.
"At first I thought it wasn't going to be much fun because we had to get up at 4 a.m., but when the runners started to take pictures of us I felt like a celebrity," said Rusaw. "They were really grateful to us for playing, and that meant a lot to me."
According to King, the runners couldn't get enough of Darlington's talented steel drummers. “When we’d stop playing, they would urge us to play some more. We ended up playing for two-and-a-half solid hours,” he said.
Many even stopped to dance with the band.
“They really seemd to like the music,” said Lane. “It was really rewarding to see that we were recognized on such a great scale.”
After much fun and excitement, the bands boarded buses and headed home to Darlington. Each performing member of both bands and all chaperones received Disney Magic Music Days T-shirts and lapel pins in honor of their performances. King was also presented with a Mickey Mouse ears hat embroidered with the word “director” across the back.
“The bands were also given a Disney Magic Music Days banner for the band room, magnetic signs for each band, and were extended an invitation to return,” said King. “All in all, it was a great experience for all of the participants, and Darlington was well represented by these students in every way.”
Lane went one step further.
“I think performances like these are the publicity that Darlington needs for the arts,” he said. “This could be a step in the right direction toward drawing more students to the School based on our arts program.”
