Disneyland Band When Walt Disney wanted a band for opening day at the park, he asked British bandmaster Vesey Walker to assemble one. The band was hired only for a two-week engagement, but it became so popular that it was held over and still performs at the park today. The band ranges from about 15 to 20 members, and has been directed by Walker, James Christensen, Jim Barngrover, Stanford Freese, and Art Dragon. In July 1982, the band celebrated its 50,000th performance. The band performs in parades, and gives concerts in various areas around the park, with a repertoire that includes marches, polkas, jazz, and waltzes, with perhaps the most-requested tune being the “Mickey Mouse March.” The band has also performed in Band Concert Series for young people throughout Orange County.
