Today I am thankful for the Pixarmonic Orchestra. In 2018 the world of Pixar came to life at the Disneyland Resort like never before. During the summer of 2018, Pixar Fest was celebrated at the Disneyland Resort. With this eventually came the opening of Pixar Pier. Ahead of Pixar Pier’s opening, however, was the arrival of a new group of entertainers that became an instant favorite. The Pixarmonic Orchestra brought to life some favorite Pixar music in a fun and quirky way. Every time I think of it and the people who made it come to life, I can’t help but smile.
The Pixarmonic Orchestra, presented by TripleDent Gum, performed first at the Paradise Gardens Stage. When Pixar Pier opened months later, they moved over to what would become their home at the Pixar Promenade. The orchestra was made up of seven musicians playing some very unique instruments. Along with the regular instruments like a saxophone, clarinet trombone, guitar, trumpet, string bass, marimba, and drum set, there were also cowbells, duck calls, kazoos, sirens, and slide whistles. There were also some very fun songs performed throughout the course of one of their performances. Songs that included:
- The Flik Machine – A Bug’s Life
- The Spirit of Adventure – Up
- I Will Fly – Brave
- If I Didn’t Have You – Monsters, Inc
- Remember Me – Coco
- The Incredibles Theme – The Incredibles
- You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Toy Story
This show could have been just another run-of-the-mill entertainment group from a theme park. However, the people who brought it to life ensured that it was anything but that. These people took the roles given to them in the group and ran with them. What resulted was a zany orchestra that was funny, musically awesome, entertaining, and guaranteed to make people smile. The entertainers poured their heart and soul into this little group in an effort to not just perform, but to create a magical experience for those watching. This is what I’m thankful for. Yes, I absolutely loved the music. But the music would have been nothing without those who brought it to life. While they sang about TripleDent making us smile, they really could have been singing about themselves (perhaps they were) as they were the ones that made us smile time and time again over its run at the Disneyland Resort.
As I think about how thankful I am for the Pixarmonic Orchestra and think about the many people who made it so amazing, I find my heart full of gratitude. I’m thankful for the people that we still bump into in the parks from the orchestra that still go out of their way. I’m also thankful for the time we had with those who can’t do that anymore. Their memory lives on in this show and so many other ways they shared magic, and for this I am very thankful. This little twenty-minute show they were a part of made a corner of the world a little bit better. And at the end of the day, that is something to be very thankful for. I will always take my hat off to the Pixarmonic Orchestra and the members who made it magical.
Do you have any specific memories of the Pixarmonic Orchestra that you are thankful for? Join the 24 Days of Thanksgiving by sharing your gratitude below! Also, enjoy the final show of the Pixarmonic Orchestra as well.
