Southeast Whitfield High School students from Dalton entertained thousands of Walt Disney World Resort guests with their performance at Magic Kingdom on Thursday.
During their five-day stay, the group of 50 students put on a “lively, upbeat” show that featured Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
“This is one of the best performance avenues that a band can do,” band director Warren Mahan said. “You get to play in front of an international crowd in a place that everybody thinks is magical. It’s fun for the kids, and that’s what it’s all about— to have fun and to be able to play in front of people that would maybe never see a marching band.”
Mr. Mahan said choosing the right music is key to performing for such a diverse audience.
“I was trying to get a song with our instrumentation that would make us sound really good,” Mr. Mahan said. “Plus, I wanted a song that people in the crowd would recognize. People know Michael Jackson from all over the world.”
The group traveled more than 500 miles from Georgia to participate in the program. This is its eighth visit to Walt Disney World Resort with the Disney Performing Arts program.
Vocal, instrumental and dance ensembles from all around the world apply to perform each year as part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disney Resort and Walt Disney World. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney Parks in the more than 25-year history of the program.
For more information, visit www.DisneyPerformingArts.com or call 800.603-0552.
SOURCE: Chattanoogan
That’s great! Quite often only Disney tunes get played in the Disney Parks. But I was thrilled when I arrived at the Magic Kingdom last October for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to hear Michael singing ‘Thriller’ over the PA at the monorail station. And again, after the special Halloween fireworks show, they played ‘Thriller’ as crowds were starting to leave the park. It was the ONLY non-Disney song I heard the whole time I was there.