‘Symphonic Disney: The Most Magical Music on Earth’ celebrates 50 years of Disney music
“Symphonic Disney: The Most Magical Music on Earth” is coming to Northland Church in Lakewood, Florida, as the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra celebrates Disney’s 50th Anniversary through music.
Central Florida Community Arts’ 11th anniversary coincides with Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, and in celebration of both milestone events the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra will perform two showings of “Symphonic Disney: The Most Magical Music on Earth.”
These family-friendly concerts include music from some of Disney’s most popular theme park attractions, such as The Haunted Mansion, Soarin’, Pirates of the Caribbean, “Wishes” nighttime fireworks spectacular, “Fantasmic!,” and “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.”
Disney movies will also be honored through tunes from films such as “UP,” “Frozen,” and “The Lion King.”
The Symphony Orchestra’s conductor and Vice President of Creative & Production is former Disney cast member Justin Muchoney, who began his career with Disney after being awarded the title “Disney Parks’ Chief Magic Official” when he won a contest in 2008, during the Year of a Million Dreams promotion.
Justin went on to manage some of Disney’s most popular shows, help christen two cruise ships, open Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, produce the entertainment for many of Epcot’s festivals, and serve on the opening team for “Harmonious,” the newest nighttime spectacular at Epcot.
In his role conducting “Symphonic Disney,” Justin said, “This concert is a celebration of the music Disney has brought to life over the years, through movies, theme park attractions, fireworks, and Broadway shows. While it isn’t possible to cover the full depth and breadth of Disney’s contribution to the American musical landscape, we’re confident everyone who attends will hear some of the music they love, performed with the sense of scale and spectacle for which CFCArts has become known.”
Does Justin have a favorite piece of music to conduct? Sort of. “Because of the stories, characters, and energy, all of this music is a delight to perform,” he said. “Of course, we all have our favorites! I personally find our arrangements of music from ‘Moana,’ ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ and ‘The Lion King’ to be incredibly fun, but the highlight for me is probably a medley we created just for this concert. Titled ‘Park Hopper: A Salute to Walt Disney World,’ it covers over 20 famous songs and scores from attractions and experiences around Walt Disney World, in about six minutes. It’s funny, nostalgic, surprising, and a real joy to conduct.”
The Symphony Orchestra is a non-auditioned group open to all musicians ages 18 and up, whether amateur or professional, with the goal of making the arts affordable and accessible to all.
Concerts take place at Northland Church, located at 520 Dog Track Road in Longwood, Florida, on November 4 and November 5 at 7:30 p.m.
General admission is $10 per person, Prime seating is $15, and Premium seating is $25. Children ages 3 and under are free. Tickets are on sale now.
At this time, Central Florida Community Arts is requiring masks for all members and patrons at in-person events.
To purchase tickets, visit CFCArts.com/SymphonicDisney.
