Disney earlier this week announced an expansion of live music at the resort, with additional performances by existing acts and "a new sound" for the Disneyland Band. The notice to the musicians' union makes clear that the "new sound" will be provided by new personnel.
(Update: A Disneyland spokesperson confirmed that no current band members will lose their jobs with this change, and that members will perform in other groups if they do not choose to or do not win the re-audition for the new Disneyland Band.)
Before we proceed, some disclosure: My wife is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, the national musicians' union that represents the band members at the Disneyland Resort (among many, many others across the country). She also is a former Disney musician, having played in the Disney All-American College Orchestra at Epcot. And I'm a long-time follower of marching bands, watching some of the nation's best in the Rose Parade here in Pasadena each January. Plus, my old high school's marching band is a two-time Bands of America Grand National champion.
So here's my take: The current Disneyland Band, as beloved a tradition it represents, no longer looks or acts like a modern marching band. While its members are excellent musicians with great chops, the group lacks the diversity and the showmanship of modern bands. It's time for a reboot — one that will bring a infusion of more women, people of color, and performers from a wider range of ages into the band. New arrangements, new repertoire, new choreography, and new production values — with the same, enduring level of professionalism and musicianship — could help make the band an even more engaging and beloved part of the Disneyland experience.
But people who have devoted their careers to entertaining guests at Disneyland shouldn't be kicked to the curb after decades of good work, either. Live music makes theme parks even more entertaining places to visit. Yes, the Disneyland Band needs a reboot, and new members. But there remain plenty of places within the resort that the great musicians now in the band could continue to perform, playing new roles in new groups. Just because so many other industries in America have grown to treat employees as disposable commodities shouldn't lead to all employees in every field being treated that way. (Add: So it's welcome to see Disneyland honoring that commitment to these cast members.)
You only need to eat at the French Market two times to see and hear the positive difference that live music makes — once with the jazz band playing and once without. Live music at the Paradise Garden stage and Disneyland's beloved swing dance nights at the now-Fantasy Faire Theater further demonstrate the power of live music to please fans. The Disney Parks are cash machines for the Walt Disney Company. They can afford to invest more in live music and widen the gap between Disney and competing theme parks when it comes to live musical entertainment.
When it comes to the Disneyland Band, and live music in any theme park, the issue shouldn't be "either/or." The real issue should be "we need more!"
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BTW: Even live music isn't live.
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