If you happen to be going to Walt Disney World during the holidays this year, there will be a familiar face performing at Epcot.  Former Bridgeport Middle School Band and Chorus Director Eric Stoneking received the email this week that he was selected as part of the 2017 Candlelight Processional Cast Choir as part of the Holidays Around the World show.

 

“I was so nervous auditioning for such an iconic role in Disney’s Christmas tradition,” said Stoneking.  “It was an amazing experience and, although the time seemed to pass very slowly between the callback and the email notifying me that I was part of the choir, it was definitely worth the wait.”

 

As part of The Candlelight Processional Cast Choir, Stoneking will be singing with the Voices of Liberty, guest choirs and a 50-piece orchestra, including fanfare trumpets. During each performance, a guest celebrity narrator will tell the story of Christmas.

 

“This year, the narrators include Neil Patrick Harris, Trace Adkins, Pat Sajak, and CCH Pounder, among others,” Stoneking said.

 

After teaching at BMS for seven years, Stoneking and his wife Crystal decided to move to Kissimmee, Florida after he received two job offers in one day while on vacation.  The first was to teach music and the second was with Walt Disney World, a dream come true for a family that had made visiting the parks part of their annual tradition.

 

This year, his wife joins him as a teacher at same elementary school and he will continue as a part-time convention guide for Disney’s Coronado Springs, the Swan and Dolphin Hotels and EPCOT.

As part of the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir, Stoneking will be singing bass.  He has signed up for 12 rehearsals, including 9 group and three sectionals.  The choir will practice from September 5 to November 15 before beginning their performances on November 24.

 

“We will have three performances a day throughout the season, with each cast member committing to at least eight days,” Stoneking said.  “Most of the performances are during my winter break from school, so I will pick up most performances from mid-December until the first of the year.”