2 Millionth Performer

The One in Two Million!

The story behind Disney Magic Music Days' two millionth performer.
by Ken Schlager

It may have seemed like any other parade in the Magic Kingdom Park, but on this March 14 afternoon, as the Mount Hebron High School band marched down Main Street, U.S.A. a bit of extra-special Disney magic was about to occur. The band was stopped in mid-performance as it approached the Town Square Hub, and mellophone player Tracie Ervin was plucked from its ranks and introduced as the 2,000,000th Disney Magic Music Days performer.

With band director Bob Johnston at her side, Ervin was escorted to a waiting stage that was rolled into the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. There, "Scoop" the Main Street reporter presented her with a trophy in the shape of Mickey Mouse to commemorate the moment. Ervin, a senior whose younger sister Julie also marches in the band, was totally surprised.

The moment was also sweet for Johnston, band director at the Ellicott City, Maryland, school for 34 years. This was his fifteenth band trip to Walt Disney World—and his most memorable. Like Ervin, he was surprised by the distinction given to his band, although he did have a bit of advance notice. He was contacted by Disney representatives after arriving in Orlando the previous morning. "I've been fl abbergasted ever since. It's pretty amazing," he said when interviewed following the impromptu ceremony.

Narrowing the Field

Some 30,000 groups from all 50 states and five continents have taken part in Disney Magic Music Days since the program began in 1985. The two million performers have included instrumentalists, singers, and dancers—all of whom have had the chance to showcase their talents in front of the enthusiastic crowds in the Disney Theme Parks or at Downtown Disney.

"Disney Magic Music Days brings an entertainment element to the park," said Meredith Raschke, marketing manager for Disney Youth Group Programs. "We also support keeping music alive in the schools and giving them a place to perform."

Raschke said it was almost a year before Tracie Ervin's big moment that Disney officials realized they were nearing the two millionth performer milestone. "We've probably been planning this for nine or ten months," she said at the event. By February, the Disney team had calculated which bands would be on hand for the momentous day. Eventually, the fi eld was narrowed down to Mount Hebron.

Ervin was selected at random to be the two millionth performer. After the surprise ceremony, Disney gave Tracie, Julie, and their parents, Peggy and William—who had made the trip from Maryland with the girls—the VIP treatment for a day in the Magic Kingdom. "We got to go on any ride we wanted," Ervin said, "and we didn't have to wait on any lines."

After touring the park, the Ervin family spent a pampered night in the Magic Kingdom's exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite. "The castle is beautiful," Ervin reports. "Every little detail has been 'mousified.'" She was particularly impressed by the many tiled murals depicting scenes from the Cinderella story.

Ervin's own Cinderella story will continue at a future date, when she and her family are treated to an extended vacation at Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, she has other things on her mind. In the fall, she begins her freshman year at the University of Delaware, where she will study civil engineering. Ervin will not be leaving music behind; she plans to minor in French horn and hopes to audition for several different ensembles.

Mount Hebron band director Johnston described Ervin as "a wonderful French horn and mellophone player. She's been all-state for five years. Her family is very supportive and very active in the program. I'm excited for the family. It couldn't have happened to a more wonderful senior."

Looking back several months later, Ervin said she was "still on an emotional high. It was just a huge honor to be able to represent my school and the band."

Looking for famous alumni:

In 2010, Disney Magic Music Days will celebrate 25 years of entertaining Disney guests. In preparation for that milestone, Disney is actively looking for those among the millions of Disney Magic Music Days performers who have gone on to careers in music, on stage, or on screen. If you know of a famous Disney Magic Music Days alumnus, visit www.disneymmd.com/alumni and share the story.