Disney is known for many things...some good, some bad. Regardless of your own take, I saw something at the park this past weekend, and I think they really highlighted something wonderful.
We sat and watched a Jr. High string orchestra perform for about 30 minutes. Wonderful musicians, great music, proud parents. Just wonderful.
What struck me as we walked away, was that there was a group of people - students, parents, educators, administrators, and others that I cannot think of, that had worked together to allow these young people to express themselves. Yes it was music, classical music, a form of expression that has been acceptable for many, many years, but it got me thinking about all the other ways we express our creativity.
Disney provided a stage, but more than that, they exposed a group of people to creativity and expression. My hope is that others saw and heard these kids today, and it got them to think about how they can help the kids in their own areas express themselves. Music, theater, dance, fine art, sports, math, science, hell, ANYTHING...help the people you know express themselves in anyway you can.
You may not understand what they are trying to say, but it is imperative the let them say it!
Many, many (too many) years ago, I was one of those students performing at Disneyland. No matter that it was a smallish stage with an equally smallish audience - we were performing at DISNEYLAND. Even all these years later I'd probably be more likely to reference that performance than (much more musically important) playing the Dorothy Chandler or Santa Monica Civic Center. Kudos to Disneyland for providing such a great (long-running) opportunity!
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