Middle and Upper School Choir Students Experience Music-Making at Disneyland

Sixty-four St. Margaret’s Middle and Upper School choir students recently stepped into the world of professional music production during the Choral Soundtrack Disney Experience, an immersive, daylong program at Disneyland that showcased the continued growth and momentum of St. Margaret’s choral program.

The experience combined performance, collaboration, and creativity, giving Middle and Upper School students the opportunity to engage with music in a real-world, high-level setting. Throughout the day, student choir members explored both Disney parks, building camaraderie and strengthening fellowship across grade levels within St. Margaret’s arts community.

The centerpiece of the trip was a 2.5-hour professional workshop led by Adam McDonald, most recently the music director for the national tour of Wicked. During the session, students were challenged to learn music on the spot and work together as a professional ensemble, recording soundtrack vocals for animated Disney films.

The workshop placed high artistic expectations on students, mirroring the pace and standards of the professional music industry. At the same time, it encouraged collaboration and trust among singers from different grades, reinforcing both musical and personal connections.

Middle and Upper School students returned from the experience energized and proud of their work, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and enthusiasm for future programs. According to Adela Kwan, director of choral music, many students were already asking when they could participate in the experience again, highlighting the lasting impact of the day on both their musicianship and their sense of community.