Choirs invited to perform at Disneyland

Singing and dancing on stage, just like legendary celebrity entertainers, and being critiqued by Disney professional musicians – these are a few of the extraordinary opportunities planned for Cheney High School choir students, who were selected for the Disney Magic Music Days Program.

In his classroom, Cheney choir director Harlan Henderson teaches that there is a benefit to hard work. He emphasizes, “I try to provide a place where students can be successful. Choir is made up of all kinds of different kids, who may not even do things together if it wasn’t for choir. They take their abilities and work together, and see a wonderful product outcome.”

He applied these principles in the Disney application process, which involved submitting audition materials, and costume photographs. Once selected by the Disney Magic Music Days’ team, the choir received a special invitation to perform.

Both the Cheney High School Concert Choir and the Music ’N’ Motion Show Choir received the invitation. The groups will give separate performances back to back on the Carnation Plaza Gardens Stage, an open-air venue in the heart of Disneyland Park, entertaining park guests for 30 minutes.

The 46-member concert choir will sing a repertoire of show tunes and light classical pieces, including: “A Medley from Anastasia,” “One Voice,” “Good Timber Grows” and “How Can I Stop Singing My Song.” The 22-member show choir will perform Broadway and pop tunes: “This Joint is Jumpin’,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Lullaby of Broadway” and a couple of Gershwin tunes.

“They are well familiar with some of the songs already, after performing them for their fall concert. They will also have the opportunity to explore the Plaza Gardens venue prior to performing,” Henderson said.

While there, they will have hands-on experience in the Disney Recording Studios, as a part of the vocal soundtrack workshop. A Disney professional gives a sheet music sight-reading challenge and records the students singing it. They execute the final product along with actual movie footage and play it back for the students to hear themselves singing to the movie.

“It’s really fun and the kids get a kick out of it,” Henderson said. “It gives them a taste of how those things are put together.”

Vocal workshops are conducted by director and vocal coach Brent Pierce, who Disney’s Web site describes as “one of today’s most versatile American composers. He has over 200 published works, ranging from the most innovative choral, orchestral and chamber music to jazz. His compositions have been performed worldwide.”

Pierce in 2008 paid a high compliment to the Cheney High choir, saying it’s “everything I love about vocal music and one of the top three groups I have worked with.”

The choir is supported by parents, the community. Donations from year-round fundraising efforts help pave the way for the trip to Anaheim, Calif., which will be from April 28 to May 1.