So we're currently about a week and a half into our rehearsal schedule leading up to opening our shows in Disneyland on June 16. Most of you may be wondering exactly what we perform in the parks. I'll admit that describing our shows is kind of confusing, because when asked about it I usually say something like "Well, we're basically a jazz ensemble instrumentation, but we play a lot of movie music and Motown stuff, and we dance sometimes." Not the clearest picture. So, here's a link to the band from last year performing the Disney Movie Medley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMon9LASK3E&feature=related
Consequently, we're also doing that same medley this year. It's a pretty fun one. The guy counting off the tune at the beginning is Ron McCurdy, our director. Did you see the uniforms I'll have to wear? Pretty sexy, right? ; ) When I got fitted for my costume this week, the pants were literally about a foot too long.
Our show schedule will run Tuesdays-Saturdays, and each day we have 5 performances. 3 shows are similar to the style of the video above, 1 is a flag retreat set with all patriotic music (where I'm on clarinet), and one is a sit down jazz set. Don't be fooled by the sometimes goofy choreography and abundance of high fives- all of the members of this band can really play. I've been absolutely impressed with everyone's level of musicianship since day one. The majority of the band members are really great jazz players, and I can't wait to actually sit down and play some tunes with everyone- when our daily 9:00-5:00 rehearsals are done!
So since two Wednesdays ago, most of our rehearsal time has consisted of learning choreography for the sets with movement. Our choreographer is a woman named Shelly Nichols, and she has more enthusiasm and energy than almost anyone I've ever met. She's been really great to work with, and she's really patient with us even when we're super tired and not so patient with her. Shelly has taken me from thinking that I'm a horrible dancer to playing Stevie Wonder and doing some pretty crazy dance moves at the same time. Okay, I may still actually be a horrible dancer, but I'm pretty coordinated when moving and holding a saxophone. Maybe I should advertise this new skill set!
Right now is kind of crunch time for the band. Since we open on Thursday, we're all doing last minute cramming of music and choreography memorization. We have one more regular rehearsal tomorrow that will be mostly a review session, and then Monday night is the infamous night rehearsal! We'll rehearse from when the park closes at night until it opens in the morning. The reason for this is that it gives us a chance to run our sets in the park when guests aren't there. It should be quite the experience to catch the sunrise when we're on our 5th or 6th hour of rehearsal! Fortunately we don't have anything during the day on Monday, and we have Tuesday and Wednesday off completely.
Throughout these past two weeks, it's really sunk in that being in this band is a pretty big opportunity. We've been introduced to several people who work in the higher echelons of Disney, and several of them were involved with the College Band at one point or another. Some alumni have gone on to be film scorers and composers, arrangers, or studio players. Others work in management positions in the entertainment department or work for companies like Yamaha. The really cool thing is that all of these people are willing to meet with us, give us career advice, or give us lessons just because we're in the College Band this summer. Ron has demanded that we take advantage of every contact and opportunity we have this summer, and I certainly plan to. I'm humbled to be surrounded by such an impressive network, and I hope I don't blink and miss anything while I'm out here.
I'll leave you with a picture of a float from a parade in the park that we got to see. It's called the Soundsational parade, and on this particular float Mickey is playing the drumset (he's actually playing too, not just miming it!). The picture doesn't do justice to how gigantic this float was.
Starting Thursday, I'll be part of the magic too! I'm really looking forward to it. I'll do my best to keep you posted on how everything turns out.
Hope everyone is doing well! Hugs to everyone in Alabama- I miss you guys. You'd love the weather out here!
-Bri
No comments:
Post a Comment