BUTLER TWP — Proving once again that going to a concert can really be fun, the Butler County Symphony Orchestra wowed the crowd at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium Saturday night with “The Magical Music of Disney.”

Oddly enough it was difficult to concentrate on the music rather than the delightful images on the dual screens to each side of the orchestra. The music and the visuals are almost inseparable but the music was supposed to be the star of the show.

Naturally, the multimedia extravaganza opened with the fireworks-over-Cinderella’s-Castle images and music of the original Wonderful World of Color. In the Disney Classics Overture, the orchestra zipped through “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” flew through music from “Peter Pan,” a medley from “Mary Poppins,” “I’m Late” from “Alice in Wonderland,” a sampler from “Cinderella,” “It’s a Small World,” and, of course, the “Mickey Mouse Club Song.”

For the movie “Tarzan,” pop musician Phil Collins created a jazzy, score that reflected the delight and wonder of the ape-man and his jungle companions. Not only did the orchestra seem to enjoy the music, but maestro Matthew Kraemer was almost dancing on the podium as he directed the perky rhythms.

Renowned Broadway composer Alan Menken collaborated with Howard Ashman to create the lilting melodies of “The Little Mermaid.” From the delicate introductory themes to the bouncy calypso of “Under the Sea,” the orchestra excelled in performing the various styles.

Menken also was the composer for “Hercules,” deftly blending gospel rhythms and Motown licks to come up with another rollicking film score. The extensive alto saxophone solos were breezily played by Jeffrey Kroner adding a delightful bluesy element to the music.

“Beauty and the Beast” again teamed Menken and Ashman, resulting in Academy Award-winning music.

The orchestra was joined by the Butler Senior High School Mixed Ensemble, prepared by Bryan Helsel. They charmed the audience with “Belle,” “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The tempo and key changes in the songs were handled admirably by the young singers.

Bruce Broughton’s score for the “Rescuers Down Under” didn’t have the memorable songs of “Beauty and the Beast,” but it featured well-crafted melodies. One segment featured the unusual pairing of percussion and piccolo for a sweet duet.

Following Ashman’s death, Tim Rice joined Menken to finish work on music for “Aladdin.” The Arabian tonalities were consistent even on the ultra-jazzy “Friend Like Me.” The contrast between the sweet romance of “A Whole New World” and the brash and brassy “Prince Ali” underlined the skill of the orchestra.

“Mulan” required a different oriental tonality, handled capably by composer Jerry Goldsmith. The melancholy melody, “Reflections,” plunged straight into the choppy, perky “Honor to us All” but the orchestra easily managed the abrupt transition.

Steven Schwartz joined Menken to create the music for “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” The music opened with a dramatic clamor of bells and immediately dropped into a delightful Parisian waltz. That was followed by the revelry of a carnival including a nod to the cancan.

The final score on the program was the “Song Suite” from “The Lion King.” Headed by Elton John, a multinational croup of composers collaborated on the dazzling music which opened with placid motifs reflecting the sweeping vistas of the continent. The African syncopations were set by the percussion section. The music smoothly morphed into the familiar “Circle of Life,” followed by Scar’s evil tango and the goofy “Hakuna Matata” ending with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

From popcorn-munching beginning to end, the sellout audience most certainly felt every bit of the love superbly delivered by Kraemer and the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.