One of the most treasured summer traditions at Disneyland is the annual return of the All-American College Band. The band is made up of 21 college students from across the country, hand picked and directed by Dr. Ron McCurdy, a professor at the USC Thornton School of Music. Returning to Disneyland each summer since 1971, the students take part in the three month internship which includes performances inside Disneyland park as well as instruction in music theory.
The Disneyland All-American College Band plays music inspired by Disney movies and theme park attractions. But what makes their performances even more special and entertaining is their interpretation of the music, mixing several styles and even scores together so flawlessly that it creates a challenge to point out some of the tunes, even if they sound familiar. The Disneyland All-American College Band also keeps the crowd entertained with physical performances of scenes from their musical inspirations, all without missing a beat!
Below is a video of their 2012 performance of a Disney Movie Melody.
Below is a video of their 2012 performance of a Disneyland Attraction Melody.
If you are planning to visit Disneyland this summer, you should definitely carve out time to see the All-American College Band’s 30 minute performance in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The two videos above are only a taste of what their entire performance is made up of. I also highly recommend a visit to the Main Street Opera House to listen to the Voices of Liberty.
The Disneyland All-American College Band performs in-front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, at the Flag Retreat Ceremony in Town Square as well as prior to Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. Typically the band performs Tuesday – Saturday at various times. Visit Disneyland.com for show times.
