Main Street
Festival Disney to Celebrate in '08
Festival Disney will return in 2008 for a fourth year at Walt Disney World Resort. The festival presents instrumental and singing groups who participate in adjudicated performances, personalized feedback clinics, and an awards ceremony. Participants include choral ensembles; marching, jazz and concert bands; orchestras; show choirs; and auxiliary units.
The event will take place on select weekends March 1-May 10, 2008, and is open to junior, middle, and high school music groups. Following two days of adjudicated performances, ensembles receive written and recorded feedback from nationally recognized music educators.
"It is, without a doubt, the best festival I have attended," said Michael Ehrlich, choral director, W.T. Woodson High School, "and this is my 18th year of traveling with the choirs. It is apparent that Festival Disney wants the students and their directors to have a positive experience,"
At the Festival Disney Awards Ceremony, all ensembles receive an exclusive Festival Disney Award, and each member of the ensemble receives a Festival Disney Medal to commemorate their participation. Competing groups will vie for Best in Class and Festival Disney Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards. For more information about the program, see festivaldisney.com.
Music to the Rescue
Disney Magic Music Days program has come to the aid of hurricane- swept gulf-coast schools. Working with the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (mhopus.com), Disney has donated 52 instruments, including drums, xylophones, and other percussion equipment, to schools throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.
School music programs were among the victims in Hurricane Katrina's path. "Both of my band halls had extensive damage, and everything in the high school had to be destroyed due to mold," said Carol "Cachie" Crider, director of the Bay-Waveland Middle School Band in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Her school is one of the recipients of the donations.
"Many schools from that area have entertained our guests with their performances," said Tim Hill, director of Special Programs for Disney Destinations. "We wanted to give something back." You can get more information about Disney Magic Music Days at disneymmd.com.
School musicians triumph at Festival Disney
A trip to Festival Disney is a wonderful experience for any performer, but perhaps some of the happiest attendees this year are the members of the Newark High School marching band. This band recently performed three of their own musical pieces at Festival Disney and participated in a workshop with Disney musicians.
It's a triumph for the school music program, which according to the Beacon News of Illinois almost saw instrumental music dropped from the curriculum five years ago. Now there are 80 musicians in 5th through 12th grades with 17 in the high school band. "The trip is huge for our students. Some have never been on an airplane," said band director Mindy Chase. "It's also an opportunity for them to perform on a Disney stage and showcase how well we work and make music together. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Magic 'Round the World
Proving that music is the universal language, Disney Magic Music Days has arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland. The program began in December and featured a holiday showcase featuring choirs from Hong Kong area schools. This summer the program will feature a performance by young dancers who will be part of a new Disney performance-oriented dance class offered by the prestigious Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.
A Magical Time for a Special Teacher
Do you know a teacher who deserves a night in Cinderella Castle? Go online (www.disneyyouthgroups.com/castle) and describe that special instructor. You can nominate the teacher for a unique experience during the Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. Describe how your nominee is dedicated to enriching the lives of students by demonstrating compassion and providing creative experiences.
The winning educator and three guests will receive a package that includes round-trip airfare, a two-night Disney resort stay, and multi-day tickets with Park Hopping, along with the accommodations. The Cinderella Castle Suite was created for the Year of a Million Dreams, which celebrates the dreams of Disney guests. The luxurious suite is situated four stories above the surrounding Magic Kingdom.
Over a million awards — random acts of Magic — will be presented to lucky theme park guests during the Year of a Million Dreams.
Behind the Scenes with Cirque du Soleil
Students attending a new program at Walt Disney World Resort are learning all about the diabolo, a wooden spool that spins on a string between two sticks. The teachers are experts: performers from "La Nouba" by Cirque du Soleil.
Students in the program, Showbiz Magic at La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, get a rare look behind the scenes of the production, including the preparation, training, and support systems that create Cirque du Soleil's dramatic mix of circus art and street entertainment. The program, for students in grades six through 12, is part of Disney's Youth Education Series. For more information about the program see disneyworkshops.com/onstage.