Music, memories, and a little Disney magic
Every May, I have the joy of leading a group of wide-eyed, high energy 8th graders (decked out in matching shirts) on an adventure they’ll never forget: performing at Walt Disney World. There’s a special kind of magic in watching them navigate the airport as a team, juggling luggage and laughter, realizing this isn’t just another school trip. This is Walt Disney World. And it’s the trip of a lifetime.
Why Disney?
Taking an orchestra to Disney is both magical and meaningful. The students aren’t just sightseeing, they’re stepping onto professional stages, under bright lights, with world-class sound systems. Performing for Disney audiences, who are diverse, enthusiastic, and genuinely engaged, fills my students with pride, confidence, and joy.
Two Choices, Two Kinds of Magic
Disney gives student ensembles two unforgettable opportunities: the stage performance or the sound track recording session. Most years, I choose the stage performance – a polished, 25-minute show that lets my students experience the thrill of performing live for an international audience.
But some years, when I have a group I know will thrive on the challenge, I add the sound track clinic. In this session, students sight-read and record music for actual Disney film scenes, guided by a Disney musician. It’s fast, exhilarating, and eye-opening—a glimpse into the life of a professional studio player. More orchestra, more Disney magic and it doesn’t get better than that.
The Work Behind the Wonder
Before we ever see Cinderella’s Castle, the preparation begins. Meeting Disney’s professional standards means months of rehearsal – polishing every entrance, shaping every phrase, and learning the stamina it takes to deliver a full program with confidence. That hard work pays off the moment they take the stage and hear the applause.
Seeing Disney Through Their Eyes
Some of my favorite memories aren’t even about the music. For many of my students, this trip is their very first time away from home—and often their very first visit to Disney. I get to watch them experience it all: that first taste of a Dole Whip on a hot afternoon, the triumphant scream after a roller coaster, or the awe in their eyes when they meet a favorite character. In those moments, the stress and worries of middle school seem to disappear, replaced by pure joy and wonder.
Pro Tip From the Podium
When we travel, violins and violas fly with us as carry-ons. The cellos, basses, and harp? They make the road trip to Florida. It’s the best way to ensure every instrument arrives safe, sound, and ready to play. I’ve tried renting before, and let me tell you… don’t waste your money. Nothing beats having your own instruments in top condition.
Why I Keep Coming Back
For many students, this trip has been the spark that kept them in music through high school—a reminder of the joy of performance and the bonds built in rehearsal. It inspires them to keep practicing, keep performing, and keep making memories with their friends on future music trips.
For us as directors, that’s the heart of it all. These journeys are the highlight of being in a school ensemble: traveling with your orchestra, band, or choir friends, creating stories that will be retold for years.
Yes, it’s a trip. Yes, it’s a performance. But more than anything, it’s an experience that lives forever in the hearts of the students—and in mine.
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If you need to reach out to Elizabeth, you can email her at [email protected] for anything else. Please let me know if you need more from me.