On June 21, 2022, the 2022 Disneyland Resort All-American College Band stepped out and performed in Disneyland in front of guests for the first time of its summer season. The arrival of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band in the parks marked the arrival for summer for many guests who have followed the band for years. This year, however, the summer tradition is not happening as the band’s future is being re-evaluated and a new could replace it moving forward. For both fans and members of the band through the years, this has been a major disappointment. What the band leaves behind is a rich legacy of performances, magical moments, and members going on to bigger and better things.
The band was generally made up of 21 musicians that were picked from hundred who auditioned throughout the country during the year. During an 11 week stint as cast members at the Disneyland Resort, they would perform throughout the parks and at special events. They would also get to learn about the music business from some amazing guest clinicians . These clinicians would generally spend a day or two with the band before performing with the band during its sit-down jazz set. The following artists were clinicians with the band through the years:
- Sal Lozano
- Wayne Bergeron
- Jiggs Whigham
- Steve Houghton
- Gregg Field
- Ron Carter
- Rex Richardson
- Javon Jackson
- Rick Baptist
- John Clayton
- Mel Collins
- Duane Benjamin
The Disneyland Resort All-American College Band was also an educational experience. Throughout the course of the summer, students in the band would have an educational focus from one of the following categories:
- Composition and Arranging
- Careers in Music
- Recording and Production
The All-American College Band first began at Disneyland in 1971. This began an annual summer tradition of some of the best musicians and performers from around the United States making the trek to the Disneyland Resort to perform and learn about the music industry that would last over five decades. In fact, the only time this tradition didn’t happen was when the pandemic forced the program to be suspended.
The All-American College Band came to Walt Disney World Resort in 1972. It continued on there every summer in different forms until 2000. For a couple of years, the band was known as the Collegiate All-Star Band from 1998 until 2002 when the name reverted back to the All-American College Band.
Through the years, there have been many fantastic leaders of the different versions of the All-American College Band at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. This included world-class musicians and also eventually student leaders at the Disneyland Resort. Disney Legend Ron Logan was the first leader of the band. Dr. Art Bartner led the band for the longest at Disneyland during his run from 1974 through 2005. He was followed by Dr. Ron McCurdy.
Disneyland Resort All-American College Band Directors
- 1971 – Ron Logan
- 1974 – Dr. Art Bartner
- 2006 – Dr. Ron McCurdy
- 2018 – Nathan Hatton (Student Leader)
- 2019 – Will Nathman (Student Leader)
- 2022 – Glynnis McNamara (Student Leader)
The Walt Disney World All-American College Band included several directors through the years. This included Dr. Rick Goodstein and others (if anyone knows more about this, please contact so we can add more information here).
The Disneyland Resort All-American College Band created a wonderful legacy in the world of music, not just at Disneyland but so far beyond. For those who visit Disneyland Resort regularly, however, former members of the band could be seen in other music groups and bands. The Disneyland Resort and many other music groups include musicians who once played in the college band. The college band really acted as a feeder for other music groups at Disney (and beyond).
While there may not be a Disneyland Resort All-American College Band anymore, there are still the memories and videos from when the band did exist. Hopefully someday there will be more videos to add to these playlists but for this summer, the following videos will have to do as we remember the magic of past bands and past summers. The playlist below includes every video that Daps Magic has shot through the years. If you have more that you would like to add, we would love to connect and figure out a way to share the files so they can be uploaded and added to the playlist.
What were some of your favorite memories of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band? What year was your favorite? What songs were your favorite? Were you in the band? Share your thoughts, memories, and opinions in the comments below!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLZHs0Rq4kXrX7p2eld9pPBriuwSoDtwrp&v=3G1Ihfb8WIw&layout=gallery[/embedyt]