Sisters Jazz Choir performs at Disneyland

The Sisters High School jazz choir performed before a live audience at Disney's Carnation Theater on Sunday, May 3. Christy, the choir's Disney production manager, told the choir that the entire Disney staff was impressed with their vocal singing, stage presence and the way they pulled in record crowds.

Many people gathered outside the open outdoor theater, which is located on the main thoroughfare, to listen to the performance. Choir director Michele Summers told The Nugget that the longer they sang, the bigger the crowd grew.

The jazz choir kicked off their set with the National Anthem, and appropriately concluded with "Under the Sea," from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." Featured soloists included Austin Erlandson, Daniel Faludi, Hayley Valoppi and Cody Parker.

"It was a beautiful day, and the crowd was warm and receptive," said Summers.

When the choir finished their set they were asked by the production manager if any of them were Goth. She then informed them it was the unofficial Goth Day at Disneyland.

"There were over 2,000 people dressed in Victorian funeral attire," said Summers. "It was very surreal."

Following their performance, the nine jazz choir members participated in a 90-minute workshop and worked with Disney vocal coach and musical director Brett Simmons. Simmons is responsible for the key musical productions that happen at Disneyland. Simmons was very impressed that the choir was able to learn two complete songs in just 90 minutes.

"Hawaiian Roller Coaster" from the movie "Lilo and Stitch" was the first song the group learned and featured Erlandson as soloist. The song was then recorded and laid over the "Lilo and Stitch" movie trailer. The second song was "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King" and featured soloists Raphaela Zeiller, Elle Meyer and Hayley Valoppi. This song was recorded and laid over "The Lion King" trailer.

"It was very cool. To be in a Disney recording studio was inspiring," said Summers. "The level of excellence in Disney production is the model that everyone else tries to emulate. So, for my kids to have the opportunity to work with a Disney vocal coach and musical director was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Senior Austin Erlandson and junior German exchange student, Raphaela Zeiller agreed.

"It was awesome," said Erlandson. "It was so fun to work with a paid professional from Disney. Along with that, to be able to record on top of Disney trailers was an honor."

Zeiller said, "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I will always remember this as one of the best weeks in my life."

Summers hopes to make Disneyland an annual event and use it as a major recruiting tool to bring more students into the program. The choir members said they appreciated all the support they received from the Sisters community in raising the money needed to make their trip a reality.

Summers was given a copy of the two trailers but had to sign a contract stating it wouldn't be dubbed due to copyright law. In order to share it, Summers plans to air it at the choir's final spring concert on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. in the Sisters High School auditorium.