Steamboat Willie: LIVE!
Our goal is to take a historically and artistically important cartoon from 1928 and refresh it for the 21st century.
We want to create a version of the cartoon that will be presented on stage with a concert band or orchestra playing the score live in synchronization with the film and sound effects.
We organized a commissioning consortium to help fund the project and brought on composer Harrison J. Collins to re-imagine the score.
Click below to learn more about how we are bringing this project to life!
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consortium details
Lead Commissioner Buy-In: $500
Consortium Member Buy-In: $300
Lead Commissioner Early Premiere Dates: October 15 through December 31, 2026
Regional Premiere Dates: January 1, 2027 through August 31, 2027
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Steamboat Willie is one of the most iconic Disney cartoons. Produced in 1928, it was the first cartoon with a fully synchronized sound track and one of the earliest appearances of Micky and Minnie Mouse.
Background
THE FILM
THE SCORE
THE AUDIO FX
THE FOLEY ARTIST
CONSORTIUM MEMBERS
INCLUDED MATERIALS
Cartoon Trivia
About the Composer, Harrison J. Collins
Did you know that Walt Disney and his Imagineers invented click tracks for this production as a way to synchronize the audio with the film?
Harrison J. Collins is a composer known for their astonishingly unique and compelling musical voice. Since he began composing at the age of 13, his works have been performed on national
and international stages such as the Midwest Clinic, College Band Directors National Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.
Additionally, their work is featured on numerous state lists, marking it as high-quality repertoire for student musicians across the country. Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.
In spite of its historical significance the film is rarely screened live. Arrangements of the original score exist, but nothing that can easily be paired with the film in a live theatrical screening. Some of the original audio FX are harsh and detract from the viewing experience.
We at The Loft have undertaken a project to create a modernized version of the film, complete with a score for both band and orchestra that pairs with the original film. Our aim is to create a definitive update of the film for the 21st century. Read on to learn more.
The film will be presented as a 2k re-master with no other changes being made to the original.
Some of the audio FX in the original have not aged well. We feel these audio elements are part of the reason the film is not screened more often.
Our objective is to re-create the audio FX with a modern approach. Care will be taken to retain the original style and character of each effect.
Walt Disney himself voiced the characters of Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the Parrot. We intend to isolate those audio clips and incorporate them into the new version.
Among all the updates planned for this project we are most excited at the inclusion of a Foley Artist Solo throughout the piece
Using toys, household items, and even a kiddie pool, The Foley soloist can be set up at the front of the stage as a featured soloist, adding a new immersive dimension to the performance. A supplies list and training materials will be provided.
All Foley FX will be optionally available as digital FX or scored as cues in the orchestration.
Score & parts, film, audio FX. All consortium members will be named in the film credits and on the product page.
All consortium members will also receive basic marketing materials as part of the consortium package. These include images, recommended copy, and a poster blank.
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School Concert Band, Rocco Carbone conductor
University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble, Catherine Rand conductor
Thomas S. Wootton High School Band & Orchestra, Dr. Susan Eckerle conductor
UWG Wind Ensemble, Josh Byrd conductor
Leigh High School Performing Arts, Alex Christensen conductor
Southland Wind Ensemble, George Osorio conductor
Samuel V. Champion High School Wind Ensemble, Jason Younts conductor
South Brunswick High School Wind Ensemble, TJ Brungard and Joshua Oldham conductor
Lead Commisioners
Consortium Members
Composer Harrison Collins has been asked to create a new score with versions for both concert band and orchestra. This new score will remain truthful to the original, using the "Steamboat Bill "and "Turkey in the Straw" themes as source material. Harrison will work to create a musically sophisticated and highly synchronous score, with an objective to produce a Grade 4 work with solid curricular and musical elements.
1928 sound recording session for the cartoon "Steamboat Willie".
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Premiering Lead Commisioner
Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble, Dr. Amy Roisum Foley, conductor
