“Okay guys, this is the most important part. There will be one publicity picture taken once you’re out on Main Street to commemorate the event, and we only get one shot at it.”

...that was the first time I heard about this photo, and it definitely wouldn’t be the last.

Of course the event was to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World, but it was also, much like these events at WDW, for publicity purposes. More specifically, marketing campaign purposes.

So needless to say, that was NOT going to be the last time myself or any other band members were to hear about this all-important photo.

But enough about the photo, what were the plans you ask? Well, here’s what we had in store for the day of the event (as far as yours truly and the 1076 member band was concerned):

All four bands (West Orange High School, University High School, Florida A&M University, University of Central Florida) were to be merged into one giant band. In other words, all the flutes would be combined to make one giant flute section, the trumpets were combined to make a giant trumpet section, and our drum lines were combined to create one giant drum line. Since we had the shields for our uniforms (that I mentioned about last time), from the front it looked like one giant band

The overall plan was to create a marching band which could march from the Main Street Train Station all the way to Cinderella’s Castle, and then back again. However, that parade route has two problems with that idea, namely the Main Street Square and the Hub in front of the Castle.

The clever folks at WDW Entertainment had a simple solution, though: Create two “thinner” bands.

To explain, their idea was to line up the band row by row on Main Street, and then hypothetically “cut” the band in two down the middle.

When we would enter from the Train Station, the right half would take the right side of the Square’s circle, and the left half of the band would take the left side of the Square’s circle. Once on Main Street itself, the two halves would form back together again. Once at the Hub, the same process would be repeated.

Now, that took some practice. Not that knowing which way to go was hard, but trying to get the fronts of both halves to meet up together at the same time and in the same place, after the square. I think they finally came up with a method of having the people on the front lines, on the inside hit a specific mark on the street at a specific time in the music. Of course, I wasn’t up there, but I think that’s how they solved it.

Now that we knew our path, we had to figure out our schedule in the events that day, which went something like this:

Line up in both halves under the train station, ready to begin with “76 Trombones” and march out onto the parade route. Since both halves were so long, we had to “snake” out the left sides.

Once we began, we would play the first song, “76 Trombones”, all the way down Main Street, until our final stopping spot which was shown to us on the practice runs before. Once stopped, the front of the band was encircling the Hub, split in half, with the rest of the band all the way down Main Street, and the end of the band either off of the Square’s circle or also covering it as well, split in two.

We were to play an additional song, and then wait for the guests of honor to say some words.

...and here was the critical part. The UCF drum line captain was designated as the captain for the newly merged drum line. Once the guests had finished, it was his job to wait for a pre-recorded announcement, and then once done, to do eight taps on his drum (alone). It was important to have eight taps, since there would phasing involved with such a large band. Phasing refers to the fact that for those band members who were at the very front and rear of the band, they would hear the taps later then those in the center of the band (since sound travels relatively slow). It’s the same effect if you see fireworks go off at a distance, and then hear the boom later. The light is traveling much faster then the sound.

Upon hearing those taps, the entire band was to turn in place (180 degrees) to face backwards toward the Train Station by tap number four. By doing eight taps and making sure everyone is turned around completely by tap four, those at the ends would have some extra time (relative to the center) to turn. The last four were “insurance” if you will, to make sure everyone was turned around by that point.

Why face backwards you ask? Well, it seems that that was the point when this “all important” publicity photo was to be taken.

I cannot emphasize how important this photo was for them, given the number of times were told about it. We were informed well in advance that this photo was to be THE centerpiece of the new marketing campaign, and that it would be seen everywhere, especially overseas. I believed them; I had to sign at least three separate waivers to my image, likeness, sound, etc. for this event.

Of course, this event was televised, or at least recorded, but the publicity photo was still touted as THE most important part of the event. So important in fact, that during the midnight practice in the Magic Kingdom, the announcement, tapping, and turning was redone more than anything else.

Of course, they only had one shot to get it right. The reason? The U.S. Navy. You see, they had arranged for the Blue Angels team to fly over Cinderella Castle at a specific time for the photo, but were not able to have them do it more than once.

To say timing was everything would be an understatement.

So, one we heard jets roaring overhead and saw them pass out of view, the UCF drum line captain would start the band playing again, and we would march our the same direction and method that we had entered Main Street, playing what else but “76 Trombones”.

So now that you know the event’s schedule (as far as we were concerned), how did it actually go?

Well, we were all pretty pumped up about doing this, since it was a big deal and we were finally going to be doing this in uniform and for a truly global audience.

The exit out of the Train Station was fine, as well as the trek down Main Street. I remember seeing all four band directors, including our master band director from USC, all up on electric lifts positioned strategically down Main Street. They were there with headsets on, similar to a sports announcer (listening to a metronome click I believe), all conducting the band to ensure we were all on time and not rushing or slowing the music down.

Once we got in place, we played our second number, and then waited for our guests of honor to speak.

I remember hearing a rumor about the President of the United States being present at the event, but I would find out to be not too far off. It ended up that then-First Lady Hillary Clinton would make some remarks, as well as Michael Eisner, and I believe Walt’s nephew, Roy Disney.

Once they had finished, we were all waiting for the announcement which would start the UCF drum line captain’s taps to turn us for the photo.

...and we waited

...and we waited

...and we waited some more.

Nothing. No Announcement. Something had gone wrong with our most important cue.

It was starting to get very creepy, almost eerily silent for that many people, just like an uneasy pause at a party.

Some of started whispering to each other if we should start to turn on our own, just so the photo would work out correctly. Of course, that would look really out of place if the entire band didn’t do it all at once.

Finally, the UCF drum line captain either got a hand signal from a WDW Entertainment person, or just decided to go ahead on his own, but he started the taps.

One

Two

...I could see out of my peripheral vision that some members had already turned in place...

Three

Four

..what’s this? I still see A LOT of people turning around, and at different speeds...

Five

Screech!!!!!!!

...and just that quickly, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew overhead from the direction of the Castle (behind us) to the Train Station.

My mind was racing: did they get it? Did they get the shot!?!

Was everyone turned in time????

From what I remember, I still saw many people in the distance still turning when the jets flew overhead. In my opinion, that was the work of phasing, which also meant that the front half was still turning as well. In my opinion, I think the photo captured a half-still, half turning band.

...and this “all important photo” which was to be the centerpiece of the new marketing campaign and seen everywhere around the world?

Well, let’s just say that I’ve never seen a copy.

Thanks for stopping on by, and I’ll see you next week!