Don Dorsey
Encyclopedia
Don Dorsey is an American
audio production consultant, and a designer and director of fireworks and nighttime spectacular shows (including IllumiNations
and Sorcery in the Sky.) From 1975 to 1992 he served as the main audio recording and post-production engineer for the Entertainment Division of Disneyland Park
, manning console knobs and faders for recording sessions with Mickey and his cohorts, and for musical groups which ran the gamut from bagpipes, steel drums and accordion to marching band, 100-voice choir and symphony orchestra. While working with Disney, Don also worked with a number of pop musicians, including Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez, and Donna Summer.
Don also created DECS, the Disney Entertainment Control System. (Originally named "Mickey Track") This system controls all audio in Disney parades and live atmosphere shows in Disney theme parks around the globe.
Don was Creative Director for the development of the Air Launch Firework. He was the first one to use a shooting star, currently used nightly in Epcot
, as well as the three-shell Mickey, which is used nightly at Disneyland Park.
His electronic arrangements and performances for Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade
have been heard by an estimated 100 million Disney park guests around the world (as of 1997). In 1984 he produced the score for Laserphonic Fantasy
and IllumiNations
in 1988. Don also wrote the lyrics for the two songs used in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
.
Don continues to develop new entertainment projects and technology for Disney parks around the world, and in 1999 he directed IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
, to celebrate the new millennium.
Track on:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
audio production consultant, and a designer and director of fireworks and nighttime spectacular shows (including IllumiNations
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an award-winning night time show performed nightly at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The show utilizes fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser lights, fountains, and fire to create a visual production on the park's World Showcase Lagoon...
and Sorcery in the Sky.) From 1975 to 1992 he served as the main audio recording and post-production engineer for the Entertainment Division of Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
, manning console knobs and faders for recording sessions with Mickey and his cohorts, and for musical groups which ran the gamut from bagpipes, steel drums and accordion to marching band, 100-voice choir and symphony orchestra. While working with Disney, Don also worked with a number of pop musicians, including Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez, and Donna Summer.
Don also created DECS, the Disney Entertainment Control System. (Originally named "Mickey Track") This system controls all audio in Disney parades and live atmosphere shows in Disney theme parks around the globe.
Don was Creative Director for the development of the Air Launch Firework. He was the first one to use a shooting star, currently used nightly in Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
, as well as the three-shell Mickey, which is used nightly at Disneyland Park.
His electronic arrangements and performances for Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade
Main Street Electrical Parade
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a regularly scheduled parade, created by Bob Jani and project director Ron Miziker, famous for its long run at Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort most summers between 1972–1974, 1977–1982, and 1985-1996...
have been heard by an estimated 100 million Disney park guests around the world (as of 1997). In 1984 he produced the score for Laserphonic Fantasy
IllumiNations
IllumiNations was a series of nightly fireworks shows at Epcot before IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was created in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration. Little is known about Carnival de Lumiere.-Carnival de Lumiere:...
and IllumiNations
IllumiNations
IllumiNations was a series of nightly fireworks shows at Epcot before IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was created in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration. Little is known about Carnival de Lumiere.-Carnival de Lumiere:...
in 1988. Don also wrote the lyrics for the two songs used in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an award-winning night time show performed nightly at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The show utilizes fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser lights, fountains, and fire to create a visual production on the park's World Showcase Lagoon...
.
Don continues to develop new entertainment projects and technology for Disney parks around the world, and in 1999 he directed IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an award-winning night time show performed nightly at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The show utilizes fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser lights, fountains, and fire to create a visual production on the park's World Showcase Lagoon...
, to celebrate the new millennium.
Discography
- BachbustersBachbustersBachbusters, Music of Johann Sebastian Bach as realized by Don Dorsey on digital and other authentic period synthesizers.-Track listing:# Italian Concerto, for solo keyboard in F major, I. Allegro , BWV 971...
(Telarc, 1985) - Beethoven or BustBeethoven or BustBeethoven or Bust, Music of Beethoven as realized by Don Dorsey on digital and other authentic period synthesizers.-Track listing:# "Rondo a Capriccio in G major Op. 129 'Rage Over a Lost Penny'"#; Mixed Bagatelles# "No. 6, in G major; Andante-Allegretto"...
(Telarc, 1988) - Busted (Telarc, 1997)
Track on:
- Time Warp (Telarc, 1990)
- Star Tracks II (Telarc, 1990)
Disney Projects
- America on ParadeAmerica on ParadeAmerica on Parade was a temporary replacement for Disneyland's and the Magic Kingdom's The Main Street Electrical Parade for the United States Bicentennial....
- Main Street Electrical ParadeMain Street Electrical ParadeThe Main Street Electrical Parade is a regularly scheduled parade, created by Bob Jani and project director Ron Miziker, famous for its long run at Disneyland at the Disneyland Resort most summers between 1972–1974, 1977–1982, and 1985-1996...
- A New World Fantasy
- Laserphonic Fantasy
- IllumiNationsIllumiNationsIllumiNations was a series of nightly fireworks shows at Epcot before IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth was created in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration. Little is known about Carnival de Lumiere.-Carnival de Lumiere:...
(All Versions) - Holiday IllumiNations
- IllumiNations: Reflections of EarthIllumiNations: Reflections of EarthIllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an award-winning night time show performed nightly at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The show utilizes fireworks, pyrotechnics, laser lights, fountains, and fire to create a visual production on the park's World Showcase Lagoon...
- Tapestry of NationsTapestry of NationsThe Tapestry of Nations was a parade at the Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World, Florida, USA, that ran around the World Showcase Lagoon from 1999 to 2001, after which it was rethemed as Tapestry of Dreams. The parade had a unity and world peace theme and featured a variety of large puppets and...
- Walt Disney's Parade of DreamsWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsWalt Disney's Parade of Dreams premiered on May 5, 2005 as part of the Happiest Homecoming on Earth, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in California...
- Block Party BashBlock Party BashBlock Party Bash was a hybrid stage show and parade that played at Disney's California Adventure park from 2005 to 2008. It was relocated to Disney's Hollywood Studios in March 2008, replacing the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.- History :...
- Mickey's Soundsational ParadeMickey's Soundsational ParadeMickey's Soundsational Parade premiered on May 27, 2011, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The parade celebrates songs from Disney films. The parade includes Disney characters such as Mickey and friends, Prince Ali & The Genie, Ariel, The Three Caballeros, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle,...