The magical melodies of Walt Disney movies have become an endearing part of the American songbook, and the music continues to entertain generations of listeners. Now Disney fans of all ages can experience this music in a new way with the Grand Rapids Symphony’s presentation of “Disney in Concert.” Part of the Fox Motors Pops series, performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 4 and Saturday November 5, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 6 at DeVos Performance Hall. The concerts will be led by Associate Conductor John Varineau.
"The music of Disney seems to loom very, very large in all of our hearts and minds. Disney is part of what America has grown up with, and if adults didn’t watch Disney movies, their kids did,” said Varineau.
Audience members will relive memorable moments from Disney classics in this multimedia concert. Film video, and rare original storyboard artwork from the Disney archives, will be projected on a big screen while the orchestra and four Broadway caliber vocalists bring the music to life.
Music from early Disney classics to recent releases will take audiences on a musical journey to far off places. The performance will feature the acclaimed works of Disney composers such as Alan Menken, who wrote scores for favorites including “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and many more. Some of the masterpieces of R.M. and R.B. Sherman will also be included. The Sherman brothers wrote for classics such as “Mary Poppins,” “It’s a Small World.” and “The Jungle Book.”
Varineau added that any music from Disney is extremely well crafted. “The Disney folk really know how to write a song that’s got a catch to it, so you keep thinking about it. It’s all very uplifting and happy music. Disney not only employed some great composers, but also some great orchestrators as well, so it sounds great for orchestra.”
Tickets
Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder), or by calling 616/454-9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800/982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee.
About the Grand Rapids Symphony
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, eight concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.