BROOKINGS – The Brookings High School Orchestra hit the road and traveled 31 hours by bus to Los Angeles June 6. Two days later, they stepped into the recording studio at Disneyland Performing Arts, where they recorded songs from Disney soundtracks under the direction of clinician and conductor Kurt Curtis.
The orchestra saw firsthand how the entire recording and sound production process worked with their own personal sound engineer, a click track and conductor. They performed and recorded tracks for movies such as “Up,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Peter Pan” and others.
“It was an exciting experience to play Disney songs at Disneyland,” junior violinist Kristen Schmidt said. “We learned that you have to be really good at sight-reading to be a studio musician. It’s hard work.”
Sophomore violinist Kate Ropp added, “The songs we played in the studio were pieces we had all been hearing since we first watched a movie. Being able to see the sheet music and play the notes we’ve heard since childhood was just amazing.”
The musicians recorded their pieces and then watched the corresponding movie scenes with their recording playing.
Abigayle Davis is a freshman cellist.
“When we first heard our recording put with the clip it gave me chills,” she said. “I liked the way our conductor worked us through the tough spots when we were practicing. He was very encouraging.”
“It was really neat to see how movies are put together,” Hunter Winghart, senior violinist, said, “and it was fun to work with people in the music and movie industry and have them help us. It was really cool to work in an area with professional musicians and make connections.”
The learning experience was inspirational to many students.
“Wow! What an amazing experience,” senior violist Olivia Davis said. “Realizing how many different jobs exist in the arts has really inspired me to pursue a career in them.”
Curtis has recorded on Crystal Records and Summit Records and can be heard on several movie/television soundtracks, including “Glory,” “Gettysburg,” “Crazy Horse,” “Alamo: The Price of Freedom” and “Hidalgo.” The conductor complimented the students on their excellent talent and excellent focus in the recording studio.
Courtesy photo: The Bobcat Orchestra at Disneyland, wearing the T-shirts designed by Prairie Graphics specifically for their trip.
