The Biola University Chorale had the unique opportunity to participate in Disney’s first-ever all Disney convention at the Anaheim Convention Center. Coined the D23 Expo in honor of the year 1923 when Walt Disney left Kansas City and headed to Hollywood to found what would become Disney Studios, the three-day event attracted Disney fans from around the world.
As a part of the event, the Disney Theatical Group and Disney Music hosted a panel all about the music of The Lion King – from the screen to the stage. The Biola University Chorale under the direction of Shawna Stewart, Director of Choral Activities at Biola’s Conservatory of Music, sang a medley of music with Mufasa (vocalist Alton White) from the show accompanied by one of the composers Mark Mancina in front of a live D23 Expo audience. The panel itself consisted of Don Hahn (Producer of The Lion King film) as the moderator and panelists Chris Montan (President, Walt Disney Music), Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Group), Mark Mancina (composer), Irene Mecchi & Roger Allers (The Lion King librettists and screenwriters).
The Biola students enjoyed an exciting day of events and unique experiences. Junior vocal performance major Arnold Geis reflects, “It gave me a glimpse into the professional world of performing. Not only did we get to meet a couple of Broadway stars and the directors of The Lion King, but we got to walk around D23 the whole day. It was a great experience.”
Director Shawna Stewart agrees, “It is opportunities like these that allow students to experience being a musician in a professional atmosphere. Interaction with any big name music/actor/writer always has potential for great impact. I think this experience opened the eyes of some students to the quality of singing, preparedness, promptness and attentiveness demanded at the professional level. Beyond that, I believe everyone had a great time. We were privileged to interact with the composer of ‘He Lives in You/They Live in You’ as well as soloist Alton White. Both were kind, encouraging and oozed brilliance. Alton invited us to Las Vegas where he plays Mufasa in The Lion King and said he would provide back stage passes for anyone who came from the Chorale. I see a trip in our future!”
"I recently had the pleasure of working with the Biola University Chorale in a live performance of "He Lives In You" from our Lion King Stage Show at a presentation given at the Disney convention D23. The choir was beautifully rehearsed and very expressive. I was particularly impressed with their use of dynamics which was a product of strong and creative leadership by their Director, Shawna Stewart. They performed with our current Mufasa, Alton White, from our Las Vegas Lion King Company and they gave our presentation a fabulous finale."
Chris Montan
President Walt Disney Music