Saturday shoppers are serenaded by trombone concert at Anaheim GardenWalk

ANAHEIM — Nearly 200 trombonists, of varying levels of experience, gathered at the Anaheim GardenWalk to put on a special holiday concert for shoppers Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16.
With players from novice to professional, the group played 16 numbers for a seated audience and passersby. Many of them were either dressed in holiday attire or decorated their instruments for the event.
192 trombonists perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Debra Brown, 28, Fullerton, bottom center in Santa Suit, performs with 191 other trombonists during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)James Miller, the Associate Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads 192 trombonists during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists of varying levels of expertise put on a Christmas concert during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists of varying levels of expertise put on a Christmas concert during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Brian Goodwin, of Corona, celebrates his Holiday Spirit award, while playing a Christmas concert with 192 trombonists during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Rachelle Randeen, of Corona, watches her son Cooper, 12, play with 191 other trombonists during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Spectators get a good view of 192 trombonists as they perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)192 trombonists perform together during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Wearing Santa hats, Lara Gursoy, Mia Del Rosario, and Bryan Nguyen, from left, perform during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. 192 trombonists, of varying levels of expertise, performed in this year’s event. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Elf ears and Santa hats were prevalent during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. 192 trombonists, of varying levels of expertise, performed in this year’s event. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Rachelle Randeen, of Corona, watches her son Cooper, 12, play with 191 other trombonists during the Trombone Christmas event at the Anaheim GardenWalk in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)Show Caption of Expand
The group of 192 trombonists played holiday classics including Silver Bells, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Holly Jolly Christmas, among others.
“It’s beyond the music,” said Robin Weeks-Wynne, senior director of marketing and tourism at GardenWalk. “It’s being able to be together. They dress up their trombones, wear ugly sweaters and really get into the spirit of the entire event. It’s as much fun for the players as it is for the guests.”
James Miller, associate principal trombone player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was the Grand Marshal of this year’s concert and conducted half of the 16 numbers, said Deborah Blackford, spokeswoman for the GardenWalk.
Amy Bowers, who plays for a local symphony, also provided a solo for one of the numbers.
Douglas Grieve, a musician, started the event eight years ago on the heels of a Tuba Christmas concert in Downtown Disney when he noticed that one third of the musicians in that concert were trombone players, Blackford said.
Grieve decided that trombone players should have their own concert and approached the GardenWalk about hosting it at the venue because of its acoustics.
Each year, the group has grown in size and participants had the opportunity to register to play up to the day of the event. This year’s group saw 30 more trombonists than in 2016, officials said.
“We feel it’s really important to have this type of event at the center because it really brings a sense of community to the property,” Weeks-Wynne said. “Not many people go to see a concert with all trombone players. It’s a unique experience.”
Source: Oc Register