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For decades, the Disneyland All-American College Band has served as a staple of the Resort’s music and magic, but now it seems that magic will soon come to an end.
Most Disney Guests will have seen the All-American College Band at one of its performance locations along Main Street, U.S.A, Disneyland’s Town Square, or in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Aside from the program’s suspension for 412 days between 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Band performed five days a week over the course of 11 weeks throughout the Disneyland Resort for 50 years, as reported by the Orange County Register.
Credit: Disney
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According to the Disneyland College Band website:
In 1971 the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band made its debut at the Disneyland Resort. Shortly after, a similar band would arrive at Walt Disney World. For over fifty years, the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band has been making music, smiles, and memories around the Disneyland Resort each summer. The band brings energy, musicianship, magic, and more to their performances each summer during the course of their run.
Comprised of 21 students hand selected from 300 or more applicants, the US college and university participants received “hands-on training” from esteemed music producers and artists in preparation for their own music industry careers after graduation. The band finally returned from its three-year hiatus to great triumph last summer, but it seems the return was short-lived.
Credit: Disneyland All-American College Band
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Yesterday, the Disney musical group announced an “indefinite hiatus” via its social media accounts, something which has hit both current and former members, like “Rock of Ages” Broadway musical drummer Steve Such, hard. Such, himself a Disneyland College Band alumnus, shared his sadness over the group’s end and implored Disneyland to reconsider shuttering a program that “has literally changed hundreds of lives, myself included. Thousands when you consider the positive ripple effects across the music industry.”
However, it seems the decision will stand, with Disneyland adding: “We are proud of that legacy and want you to know that the Disneyland Resort remains committed to offering unique educational performance opportunities for college students across the country.”
Credit: Disney Parks Blog
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Of course, a similar band exists at the Magic Kingdom within the Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney World continues to host students through the Disney College Program for various Cast Member positions across its four theme parks. Therefore, Guests will still have one way of interacting with the magical marching band experience, enjoying classic favorites such as “Let It Go,” “Be Our Guest,” or even “Under the Sea,” complete with the players’ signature dance moves and all.
