It all started with a…concert
Music is an amazing thing. It evokes memories, it stirs emotions, it makes you…feel. I have been a musician since the 2nd grade. And while I developed some proficiency on the piano and the trumpet early on in my childhood, my life changed when I got my first electric guitar when I was 14. Building my musical skills over on the guitar over the past many…many…years provided me with comfort, joy, and confidence that has carried me throughout my personal and professional life.
Disney, however, wasn’t really a part of my childhood. It wasn’t until I was in college that I went to Disney World for the first time during Spring Break. And when I finally went, much like when I got my first guitar—it changed everything. Lightning struck. I was completely taken in by it all—the sights, the smells, and the sounds. The magic hit me, and it hit me hard. Since that time, I am the walking definition of “arrested development,” doing what I can to make up for a late start on my Disney journey.
After college I went to law school, I served in the Navy, I practiced law, I got my MBA, and I left the practice of law to become an executive search professional. Despite all those career and educational progressions, two things have always remained constant--my love of music and my love of Disney.
While music is an amazing thing, Disney music is a particular kind of magic—in my opinion, it is a character that is just as important as Mickey has been to the company’s success. In a movie, it is somehow able to simultaneously stir your emotions, bind you to the characters, and advance the story. I’ve always known the impact that Disney music has had on myself and others, but was always content to keep it close to my heart. Until recently, when the Seattle Symphony performed Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic. And lightning struck again, along with inspiration.
The concert was a celebration of the importance of music in Disney’s history, and the impact that it has on the movies, as well as its audience. Listening to the program, we were delighted by “Be Our Guest," thrilled by “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and teary when hearing “Married Life” from Up. I had always wanted to create a Disney-focused community, but knew that there were so many other creators already in the market who were established and great at what they did. When the concert was over, I knew what I could do that was different, new, and personal. I wanted to build a community of fans to celebrate, share, and discuss the positive impact that Disney music has had on their lives.
So, as far as this new community is concerned, it did all start with a concert. I am very excited to start this journey, and hope you join me in exploring the magic of Disney music.