An Appealing Concert From ‘ Musicians’

Yes, the Mouse shows up and so does Disney “big cheese” Michael Eisner, but most of the night belongs to 82 kids, ages 8 to 12, who perform in “The Sixth Annual Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra.” Their June 25 appearance at the Hollywood Bowl debuts tonight on the Disney Channel.

From the diminutive violinist with the buzz cut to the pianist whose hands barely clear his tux jacket sleeves, these poised, disciplined young musicians, chosen from more than 600 hopefuls across the United States and England, do an impressive, heartfelt job.

Confidently tackling works by Erich Korngold, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin and Henry Mancini, they are conducted first by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra’s John Mauceri, one of the music professionals the group worked with in a 10-day summer camp preparing for the performance. Conductor Jung-Ho Pak leads the young people for most of the rest of the evening.

In a show highlight, violinist Mark O’Connor performs and trades solos with several young violinists in his “Fiddler Concerto” and “Strings & Threads.”

Concert footage, including a fireworks finale with Mickey Mouse conducting the orchestra in Mancini’s “The Great Race,” is interwoven with film of what the kids did at summer camp--intense work, play and, of course, a visit to Disneyland--along with interviews with some of the participants.

The latter are brief--the few who speak seem passionate about what they do, but there’s little indication of what motivates or inspires them, or what it has taken for them to get where they are or what future hopes they have.

The concert’s appealing hosts are perky “Sister, Sister” twin stars Tia and Tamera Mowry and their little brother Tahj (“Smart Guy”), and Michael Bolton makes a guest appearance with his vein-popping rendition of the “Hercules” anthem, “Go the Distance.”

* “The Sixth Annual Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra,” Disney Channel, tonight at 7.