Celebrating Marching Music Day with the Disneyland Band!
“I love how music can tell stories, connect with people emotionally, and make them really happy,” shared Nathan, Disneyland Band musician. “Having the ability to perform and create happiness is so rewarding!” Today is Marching Music Day, a day for recognizing marching bands and musicians, and we’re celebrating five musicians from the Disneyland Band who make magic through music every day.
What’s your favorite moment in a Disneyland Band performance?
Tate: “My favorite song is ‘The Many Faces of Mickey.’ Mickey is the mouse that started it all, and he has so many recognizable themes. Plus, each section gets a spotlight, and there’s a lot of personability between the speaking moment toward the audience. When it all comes together at the end with ‘When You Wish Upon a Star,’ it’s so perfectly Disney.”
Gio: “I have too many songs that are my favorites. I guess it just depends on how I'm feeling on a certain day to determine what my favorite song is that day. Today, it is ‘Friend Like Me’ from ‘Aladdin.’ My favorite moment in any given Disneyland Band performance has to be when I can connect with a guest. I love seeing the magic of Disney music light up the eyes of guests.”
What is the best part of your role?
Peter: “I absolutely love performing for young people. Sometimes that means a group of high school band students; other times, it’s a three- or four-year-old who has watched videos of the band and learned to mimic our choreography. It’s a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity to inspire and positively impact the next generation of musicians. Interacting with others on that level is a gift.”
Tate: “My favorite part of my role is being a child’s first experience with live music. There’s something so special about music at the parks and how accessible it is. There is no height requirement or language barrier to enjoy a performance. Seeing a kid’s eyes light up seeing live music for the first time is so special, and so many kids watch us online, learn our choreography and bring in toy instruments. Being that portal to music for a kid is an incredible thing.”
Nathan: “I love watching our performances emotionally resonate with guests! I’ve seen guests smile, laugh, cry, sing along, dance along and so much more while they watch our performance. It’s really incredible to be a part of something that can touch someone’s life in that way.”
What is it like working with the Disneyland Band?
Peter: “We have a lot of fun. It’s hard not to when you’re a performer at Disneyland. Fun isn’t just encouraged; it’s contagious, and our guests feel it too. More than that, we’re a close-knit community. I feel truly fortunate to share this journey with a group of fellow musicians, united by a common goal, who I get to experience life with.”
Tamara: “My work environment is both inspirational and supportive. I’m surrounded by incredible musicians that inspire me to perform my best every day, and at the same time, support me in my efforts for self-improvement. My favorite part is that I’m working alongside many individuals who have become some of my closest friends!”
What are the most challenging and most rewarding parts of your role?
Gio: “The most challenging part of my role, in my eyes, is the physical demand of performing. We perform outside in the heat, cold, wind, humidity and everything in-between. That, along with carrying my drum for every set, means that I must keep conditioning my body to keep performing at a high level every day. The most rewarding part of my role is when I get to inspire future musicians or kids with my performance in the Disneyland Band.”
Tamara: “The most challenging part of my role has to be consistently presenting a polished product musically. This style of music is a bit out of my musical wheelhouse, personally, but this encourages me to seek advice from the musicians around me. Also, factors like weather, how much sleep you’ve gotten, and how fatigued your chops are, are all things to account for when you’re preparing for your day in the role. But by far, the most rewarding parts are watching the audience’s reactions during our shows!”
Nathan: “The most challenging and most rewarding parts of my role are actually the same thing: learning and memorizing three different parts: alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. It was really challenging to learn all three parts, as each one has entirely different music and staging than the others, but it is incredibly rewarding to be able to swap between parts from day to day. I take a lot of pride in being able to switch gears at a moment’s notice to help the band be the best it can be.”
What inspired you to audition for the Disneyland Band?
Peter: “I joined the Disneyland Band because I wanted to be part of the Disney story. Growing up, Disney movies and family trips from Iowa to Disneyland were a significant part of my childhood. Being able to create those same kinds of meaningful experiences for others is what inspired me to audition.”
Gio: “My inspiration for auditioning for the Disneyland Band came from my friends that had already been cast. I was inspired by the music they were creating and by the musicianship they were exploring. I wanted to strive to be on their level. The audition process was a little daunting at first, but it gets more comfortable as it gets going. When I auditioned, I was asked to play several different styles of grooves. Then, I was asked back to participate in the movement section of the audition. We were given a part of a song to sightread, and we were taught some movement that goes with the song. Finally, we fused the music and the movement for the final audition. That was it!”
What advice do you have for anyone considering auditioning for the Disneyland Band?
Nathan: “Disneyland musicians are more than just great musicians; they are great entertainers! Bring lots of energy, excitement and fun in your audition, and make sure to show your unique personality!”
Tamara: “My advice to anyone considering auditioning for the Disneyland Band is to choose musical excerpts that highlight your personality! Prepare your music as well as you can and perform it for friends and family. The audition panel is your first audience, so aim to entertain them like you would our guests. I also highly suggest watching videos of the Disneyland Band, so you know what to expect from the role.”
Are you interested in learning more about future Disney Auditions opportunities? Check out DisneyAuditions.com to view upcoming auditions, sign up for email updates, find the answers to your frequently asked questions and more!
