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I saw a commercial for Busch Gardens last night that prominently featured a tuba and a trombone player entertaining a family. Do they still have musicians at the park? I know the parks were sold a few years back, and I heard they got rid of a bunch of musicians.

It's my understanding that the Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, park still does hire musicians.

The Festhaus Band (the German polka band) was still intact last year--full force.

The Boogie Band (the roving outside group) was axed in either 2009 or 2008, I forget. Hopefully they will return someday!

There were other groups as well, but I know nothing of their status.

I'm not sure about what other groups are still there... I need to make my way back there this summer.

Musicians at Busch Gardens Williamsburg include:

Festhaus, "This is Oktoberfest" 10 piece polka band (3 trumpets, 3 clarinets, bone, euph, tuba, drummer)
Rhinefeld: "Village Band" 4 piece polka band (bone, euph, tuba, drummer)
Italy: "Village band quartet" 4 piece band (Clarinet, horn, flute, violin)
New France: "Drumberjacks" 3 piece drumming ensemble
Ireland: "Celtic Fyre" stage show with accordion, flute, guitar, piano, drummer
"Village Band" drummer, voice, guitar
France and front of park: "Village Band" Drumset, saxophone, trumpet, bass

I believe that's everybody, I'm entering my 4th season with the Festhaus band, and my second summer with the Rhinefeld Band It is true that the number of musicians has decreased in recent years, with the removal of the Starlight Orchestra big band and the Boogie Band but there is still a great amount of talent and people working here.

KevinMadden wrote:Musicians at Busch Gardens Williamsburg include:

Festhaus, "This is Oktoberfest" 10 piece polka band (3 trumpets, 3 clarinets, bone, euph, tuba, drummer)
Rhinefeld: "Village Band" 4 piece polka band (bone, euph, tuba, drummer)
Italy: "Village band quartet" 4 piece band (Clarinet, horn, flute, violin)
New France: "Drumberjacks" 3 piece drumming ensemble
Ireland: "Celtic Fyre" stage show with accordion, flute, guitar, piano, drummer
"Village Band" drummer, voice, guitar
France and front of park: "Village Band" Drumset, saxophone, trumpet, bass

I believe that's everybody, I'm entering my 4th season with the Festhaus band, and my second summer with the Rhinefeld Band It is true that the number of musicians has decreased in recent years, with the removal of the Starlight Orchestra big band and the Boogie Band but there is still a great amount of talent and people working here.

Don't forget Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg which started in 2009. I heard Kevin playing with a Christmas music foursome - great sound!

Hope to hear that again this year, Kevin. (And, I hope I'll see you soon at Busch Gardens soon when I make the trip.)

Busch Gardens: When and Where to Audition

Instrumentalists

Instrumentalists:

Prepare 2 short selections showing your best technique. You will be asked to sight read. Positions available include percussion (snare, bass and set only), all brass instruments including French horn and Euphonium, woodwinds (including reed doublers: sax, clarinet and flute), keyboard, violin, viola, cello, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, banjo, accordion, hammer dulcimer and any traditional Irish instrument. Except for keyboardists, please bring your instrument to the audition.