Disney Testing Musician Replacements in Australia
Disney Testing Musician Replacements in Australia #1
Posted: 5/18/26 at 2:30pm
Musicians are disappearing from Australia's biggest stage shows as technology usurps their roles.
The world's highest grossing musical returned to Sydney in April with a smaller orchestra after Disney cut all four string parts from the 2026 season of The Lion King.
Disney Testing Musician Replacements in Australia #2
Posted: 5/18/26 at 5:14pm
macbeth said: "The world's highest grossing musical returned to Sydney in April with a smaller orchestra after Disney cut all four string parts from the 2026 season of The Lion King."
To clarify, the string parts might not be cut from the score. They might possibly be re-written to accommodate for a single keyboard player.
Instead of hiring (4) musicians, a keyboard player will be hired to utilize a program called, KeyComp. Per KeyComp's site: KeyComp is a revolutionary, keyboard-driven system that enables a single player to produce the sound and dynamics of a full-sized, live orchestra with an unparalleled level of detail and control."
Such an extremely greedy little mouse, wanting all the cheese for itself. ![]()
Disney Testing Musician Replacements in Australia #3
Posted: 5/18/26 at 6:22pm
Programs just like that and AI will replace many musicians in the next decade, unfortunately.
Disney Testing Musician Replacements in Australia #4
Posted: 5/18/26 at 7:37pm
It has been called out in nearly every review of the show, that it doesn’t sound as lush as it used too.
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