[Hollywood Bowl Rehearsals]

Usually you don't know until the week of the show. However, in the previous years I think it has always been on the morning of the first performance (around 10 am). I highly recommend going. In addition to watching Williams work with the band, it's the only opportunity you'll have to meet him and talk to him at the HB. Of course meeting him isn't guaranteed, but it's the best chance you'll get, and I think many people have. There's no chance of meeting him after one of the concerts.

[Youtube clips]

Watch out where the huskies go, and don't eat that yellow snow!

[This new website is a disgrace]

You guys are meanie jerk baddies and I don't like you! Giacchino is not even NEAR the level of John Williams!

[John Williams (and more) at Disneyland!]

Okay, so my sister was at Disneyland over this past weekend, and she said that she saw several great performances by three seperate groups. She sent me an e-mail, and this is what it said, copied and pasted:

"I was walking by this neat little plaza, and I suddenly saw a group of students (looking to be high schoolers or middle schoolers) with band instruments. I thought it could be interesting, so I watched. The first song I immediatly recognized from Alan Menken's Pocahontas. It began with a beautiful and breathtaking variation of "Colors of the Wind." I suddenly remembered why this song and score had deserved those Oscars. The passion and heart with which the band played....wow. Amazing. The other songs that were included in the medley were "Just Around the Riverbend," which was, once more amazing. "Mine, Mine, Mine" was next, and the band perfectly captured all the fun and spirit that accompanies that piece. Then came "If I Never Knew You," beautifully played, with great harmonies. After a chilling and fierce version of "Savages," the band smoothly transitioned into the most beautiful variation of "Colors of the Wind" I've ever heard. You could feel the hours of work that must have been spent perfected and working on that marvelous piece. One thing I noticed on all the pieces played was the conductor. She seemed to be able to really communicate her ideas and emotions of the cues to the band members while they were playing. It was never distracting, but her ability to convey her expressions and the emotion of the piece without taking away from the performance at all was nothing short of masterful. Rarely have I seen such great work.

But it only got better after Pocahontas. Next came my favorite piece from the concert--a medley of John Williams cues, consisting of four seperate cues. First, a rousing and exciting arrangment of the theme from Star Wars. I felt like I was sitting in that crowded theatre in 1977, shocked and amazed by the audio wonders of the film. After a fitting end to that five star piece, the band transitioned into "Cadillac of the Skies," which was probably the highlight of the entire concert. It began subtle and quiet, building in volume and energy very very slowly, until it exploded into a masterpiece of beauty and wonder. I got shivers listening to this arrangment of the cue, and it was evident that everybody else in the audience was as overwhelmed as I was. This single concert made me believe, more than anything else I’ve ever heard, that this is truly the most beautiful piece of music ever written. "Cadillac" came to a soft ending, leading to a bit of silence, before the single most well known theme in film history: that of Jaws. It started very low, with only a couple instruments masterfully playing the notorious two notes. Then as the speed and volume began to pick up, so did several other instruments. It was layered with the three rising notes (I believe they were once described as "a diabolical hunting call from the very depths of the ocean.") All of the genius that shone through Williams' score shone as brilliantly as always, with the simple genius of the two note motif layered with frightening expressions of terror. The final cue from this fantastic medley was "The Land Race." It began with a triumphant fanfare, before going right into the main theme from the entire movie. And it was played FANTASTICALLY! All of the beauty mixed with excitement encompassed in Williams' original cue was evident from this arrangment, and the band played it with so much enthusiasm and emotion--I was swept away. The band played several different variations of this theme, each one building upon the other, until it finaled in one final statement of the theme, which really moved me. With a fitting ending to a concert highlight, the piece was over, and the entire audience was clearly positvely affected by it.

Next came a very fun and entertaining piece. It was very jazzy, very exciting, and featured some great percussion work. I really really enjoyed it, you could really tell that the band was having a great time playing. While I couldn't recognize one of the songs played, I did recognized "Zuit Soot Riot" and "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," which served as the exciting finale to the exciting piece. I felt like swing dancing with the person next to me, it really got me excited.

The final piece for the band was a medley of cues from Pirate of the Caribbean, by Klaus Badlet. Now, I must admit, I've never been a huge fan of that score (or any Media Ventures score for that matter), but this medley sounded great. You got all the energy and excitement of a true swashbuckler. Whether it was the beauty of "One Last Shot," the fanfare of "The Medallion Calls," or the crafty theme from "Fog Bound," you really felt the great music played from this band. And unlike Badelt's score, it was played with real instruments, which is definetly a plus. The piece concluded dramatically and excitingly, and all of the band members (as well as the conductor) looked incredibly pleased.

After being just blown away from this performance, I asked a staff member if there would be any other performances by this band. I was informed that while there wouldn't be one from the band, there would be one from the same school's orchestra of chorus. They gave me the times, so I came and saw each of them.

First was orchestra. Their first piece was from one of my favorite scores, The Lion King. It began with a heart-stirring rendition of "This Land." You could feel every ounce of the emotion and soul that was poured into Zimmer's original score, and it was wonderfully by the young orchestra. The dynamics, the rythmns, and notes, everything was perfect on that performance. Other songs included in this piece were "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," "Circle of Life," and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight." These songs were beautifully carried, from the amazing rythmns of Africa to the universal beauty of love and innocence. And all the while, the orchestra never failed to amaze, with its spectacular skill and greatness.

The next piece played by the orchestra was one I am not familiar with, but it included three seperate movements. All of the movements were expertly played with excitement and enthusiasm, it was some of the finest string playing I have ever witnessed.

The next piece played was a medley from The Wizard of Oz. This was my personal favorite from all the orchestra's cues. It included all the classics, such as "Over the Rainbow," “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead,” “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” “If I Only Had A Brain,” and many more. I enjoyed every last second of this marvelous medley, I actually got goosebumps at certain parts, partially caused by memories of many viewings of the film, but mainly caused by the spectacular way this orchestra brought these tunes and melodies to life. Bravo!

Next came another piece I was actually unfamiliar with, but I loved it all the same. Expertly played, you could really tell the skill and precision that went into playing this piece. It seemed very difficult to play, but the orchestra pulled it off flawlessly. An absolute masterpiece.

After came a very appropriate ending to the orchestra’s concert—a medley of classic Disney songs and melodies. It was the perfect Disneyland cue—very bright, very happy, and through that it achieved great beauty. I was remembered at once of all the innocence and happiness Disneyland reenacts, the glorious days of being a child, the wonder of Disney. I really couldn’t be happier after this performance.

After the orchestra, I arrived to see the chorus perform. They were, as were the other two groups, outstanding. The first song was “Bare Necessities,” a delightful tune from The Jungle Book . It was played with all the spunk and spark it was born with. I’ve been listening to that song extensively ever since this marvelous performance.

Next came “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.” It was another brilliant performance, encompassing the wonder and magic Disney still manages to bring to all those, despite the passing of the “Golden Age.” I loved every second of it.

“Give My Regards To Broadway” came next, a very catchy tune that I’m slightly familiar with. It was classy, catchy, clever, and overall entertaining and amazing. I need to look into purchasing this wonderful piece, it sounded great!

Next came a song I’m not familiar with the name of, but I’ve heard parts of it before. It was in the same vein as “Supercalifragalisticexpialidioucious” in that it contained many long made up words. It was rather ridiculous, which made it spectacular. It recreated perfectly the sense of amazement and laughter one had as a child from these ridiculously hilarious aspects of life. I loved it!

Next came “A Whole New World,” by Alan Menken. I really loved this one too, it was very fitting, as we were in Disneyland. It had all the beauty and grace Menken’s version did, as well as what I consider to be several superior aspects. I applaud the chorus for working so hard to deliver a great song, as I know this one can be incredibly difficult to perform, and they did it flawlessly.

Next came my personal favorite by the chorus, “My Favorite Things.” This song, in addition to maintaining all of the fun of the original, contained some spectacular new harmonies to accompany the main melody. Definetly one of the greatest performances of that song I’ve ever heard.

Next was a song I’m not familiar with, I think from Lilo and Stitch. It was very fun, very exciting, just overall superb. You could feel the Hawiian parts of it gloriously shine through (which is why I think it’s from Lilo and Stitch). Such fun, such pleasure, I really enjoyed this.

Lastly was Alan Menken’s “Under the Sea.” It was brimming with spirit, like the others, you could really feel the Disney charm sprinkled throughout. It really made me appreciate Menken’s work more. A great ending to a great concert.