We have all heard the quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” This is definitely applicable when I think of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band. This is what I’m thankful for today. For nearly half a century, this band brought its incredible musicianship and spirited performances to the Happiest Place on Earth! For many summers, the Daps Magic team followed the band around and recorded performances. The band evolved through the years, but at its core, it was always a bunch of the best and the brightest of colleges and universities from around the country coming to further their musical careers and entertain guests throughout the Disneyland Resort.
Many moments pop out at me when I think of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band. All of these moments bring a smile to my face. I can remember having the initial idea of thinking maybe we should film the band and put them on what was still a rather new thing at the time, YouTube. We were already fans of the band at this point, but somehow things connected, and we decided to start documenting the band. Our first video of AACB comes from June 2007. It can be seen here:
The process back then for these videos was not nearly as simple as it is today. Back then, we were recording on tape. This then had to be downloaded onto a computer in real-time once we got home (Ventura County at that time). Then came the process of importing, editing, processing, and rendering the video. This took forever! Finally… uploading. Thank goodness for progress! What could take us days to do in 2007, we can now do in minutes! Let’s not even get into the quality and technology improvements through the years!
As I continue to reminisce about the band through the years, one of the moments that stands out to me is the 45th anniversary celebration. This saw alumni of the band returning for what was the closest I’ve ever seen to the band in Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. The sound was incredibly powerful and the energy electric! While there were many favorite moments from that day, one of them was getting to see the former college band director, Dr. Art Bartner, take the center stage to direct the combined band play the band’s theme song, Bubbles Was a Cheerleader. The song was composed by Patrick Williams and holds a special place in the hearts of former band members and fans.
Another moment that stands out to me goes back to the first year we filmed the band, and there was a Dreamgirls medley that was performed. It had an incredible saxophone solo. Years after hearing it, I still can remember how that medley came to life, and those in attendance did as well. It wasn’t uncommon for fans to be singing and cheering along during a performance of this medley.
There are so many other moments that make me smile as I think about this band through the years. From Star Wars to Chicago to incredible Disney medleys, this band was a highlight each summer at the Disneyland Resort. I also find myself thinking back about the many fans that we would watch the band with each year. Some of them have sadly passed away. Their memory lives on just like the band’s memory does. Below is a playlist that I THINK has every video Daps Magic has filmed of the Disneyland Resort All-American College Band through the years. I hope you enjoy watching/listening as much as we enjoyed collecting these videos through the years.
What are you thankful for today? Join A Month of Thanksgiving by sharing what you are grateful for today in the comments below!
