"Weird Al" Yankovic conducts the Jr. Philharmonic

Here I am conducting the Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra of California at the 54th annual "Battle of Batons" (May 29, 1991).
www.JrPhil.org

[@hyperpowerfulform5132]

Judging by the way he belts out *"ONE! TWO!! THREE!!! FOUR!!!!"* at the absolute top of his voice, I'd say that he was waiting to do this his entire life.

[@gabe_s_videos]

It's what I'd do if I ever got the chance.

[@dawnmutchins]

Yeah, I would agree

[@daltysmilth]

I’ve heard Arthur Fiedler used to do the same thing.

[@garfocusalternate]

Weird Al is actually a real life Looney Tunes character.

[@agustindelavega6177]

True.

[@AceripXF]

glad im not alone in this lol

[@Teenterror983]

Weeeell, they don't call him "Weird Al" for no reason, doc!

[@realisticsans6764]

Your goddam right

[@Djwilson413]

I Wish/Think He Was Going To Voice Act As Sylvester The Cat On Looney Tunes

[@tubadylan]

I played first trombone at this concert. I’ll never forget it!

[@arthurjeremypearson]

Thank you for your cervix

[@willthetromboneking4624]

Team Trombones!!

[@haroutnalbandian945]

That’s awesome! What’s name of this piece and who’s the composer? I want to download it and listen to it.

[@BeauEric]

Congrats!

[@TheT-90thatstaresintoyoursoul]

@@haroutnalbandian945March of the Toreadors/Toreador March by Georges Bizet, part of the Opera “Carmen”

[@QuadrupleJane]

My mom said the same. When I asked for concert tickets for Christmas "to a Weird Al" concert, she said, "No, he's weird." ....yes, mom. That's his name.

[@thehunterator520]

Hmm, the floor here is made of floor

[@simplewormonastring6869]

Hmm.. this wall is functioning as a wall…

[@knucklesmcgirk7190]

I tell ya he's WAAY better than Normal Al. That guy is lame!🥸

[@YoutubePizzer]

your mum has bad taste

[@User_TH3F1N4L3]

The british at a football stadium: *hes fingered your m-

[@lune78]

Now THAT is how you conduct an orchestra.

[@galinageorgieva8554]

Not if you want to hear good music, they couldn't play properly, because of the laughter 😂😂

[@glasmodeus]

im an orchestra conductor and i agree!

[@thingfish000]

An energetic performance and the band was good, too.

[@scionofgrace]

It's like a live action version of those old "Bugs Bunny conducts an orchestra" cartoons!

[@raymondweaver8526]

Leopold

[@Binx_Official]

Yes exactly

[@IRosamelia]

Weird Al was so much better than Bugs Bunny though 😅

[@benjaminstokes3806]

Um....I was actually in that group, I was in 11th grade at the time. You can see me playing clarinet in the middle back near the percussion. I remember not being able to play from about the second half on because I was laughing. Thanks, Al. Good times, man.

[@chrisfratz]

If I was in your position I'd probably not be able to play at all just from the laughter

[@markjuarez6469]

We performed Il dolce suono several years ago. As we were rehearsing, the conductor counted us off and started imitating Lucia by shouting things like “you son of b****!” These memories are golden.

[@moxxiepeppino]

Understandable

[@imjelo]

Maybe that is why the horn section sounded like that. By the way, as a woodwind player also (alto sax) and as a choral singer, I know how you feel.

[@alfiegledhill7841]

is he actually conducting properly or waving his arms around willy nilly 😂

[@predictivetextisforaunts]

He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life.

[@nikitahuang35]

i'm so tired of life for so long till i found weird's youtube clips, esp, this one :)

[@DEATHSxNEMASIS]

thanks homer

[@SaulGoogwoman]

Wise words mr Simpson

[@glasmodeus]

HOBBITHEAD TRIBUTE VID (WITH LYRICS)

[@legionaireb]

The best part is that I think some of the performers are ACTUALLY trying to follow him.

[@cyb3rluvvxx1]

do you mean the people who were playing the instruments? bc weird al *does* know how to conduct and believe it or not he was genuinely still conducting in the video 😂

[@shotaconera2327]

Bro they all are following him

[@cyb3rluvvxx1]

@@shotaconera2327 exactly

[@mrslovvet]

Sometimes there are videos on KZbin that I would really love backstory to. This is one of them.

[@mrslovvet]

Also, 1:12 is really goddamn impressive.

[@miltontheportablephone2222]

veritaseros He's Weird Al, no backstory needed. Weird Al does what he wants.

[@oenthusiast]

I believe his drummer, Jon Bermuda Schwartz, worked with the Junior Symphony in some capacity and asked Al to do this, for a fundraising concert.

[@misspsychoticbeing1759]

veritaseros I know right, I was wondering how to hell his leg was able to bend that way

[@williamposey9854]

we need Al for the super bowl

[@shawntunein7591]

I agree

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

Shawn Tune In but they don’t need him

[@greenbastard]

Yes we do

[@NYCentralSpotter1070]

I can never take Carmen seriously again after watching Weird Al's conducting.....

[@lindathetford3776]

OMG I'M LAUGHING MY BUTT OFF

[@bogusbapkins]

I can never take Carmen seriously again after FNaF...

[@ferrytaufik_]

So truee 😂😂

[@imjelo]

Particularly "El Toreadores". Weird Al would always come to mind.

[@OkGoGirl82]

I burst out laughing when I heard him scream "1, 2 3, 4!"

[@LittleFugueFlute]

On one hand, I would love to be part of a show like this someday. On the other hand, I seriously doubt I'd be able to stop from at least smiling too much to effectively play my flute.

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

The poor wind sections

[@WONDERBOIY]

I would be too distracted to play whatever drum. I love Weird Al too much

[@fivestringsword]

All the grace and charm (and limberness) of a Looney Tunes character.

[@MrMurdock86]

And just as great to watch

[@thewalliest3956]

I absolutely love that even through the crazy movements he’s still legitimately conducting! What an absolute legend!

[@haberk12]

As wild as he gets up there, he must have a fantastic sense of his flailing limbs and erratic movements to avoid knocking over the music stand or falling off the platform.

[@NickThomas1983]

Nothing should be taken too seriously. Especially music. Weird Al understands this.

[@aaronanthony8716]

i cant even watch this without thinking about my band conductor trying it.

[@jaswik2023]

Lol

[@eureka3112]

The orchestra of '87

[@annadeyoung8727]

This makes me wonder if conductors just stand there looking stupid because the musicians know what to do

[@Bigdeezy74]

The musicians know what to do.there going to probably want focus on there instrument than the conductor

[@greendayyylmao3427]

they keep rhythm

[@MathStringInputOutpu]

Everyone counts beats slightly differently. They look at the conductor every once in a while to make sure they have the same beat

[@AndyZach]

The conductor does 99% of the work in practice. Everyone knows the rhythm in the various sections. When performing, the conductor is more of a reminder and inspiration.

[@Ninja-Alinja]

Decades ago a famous old-school German comedian (Loriot) does a similar skid (actually he plays a janitor, walking into the orchestra and starts chasing a bug around, triggering the set). While rehearsing, he was under the impression, that the tact of the orchestra was slightly slow and he felt very bad about it to address it, since they were the (I think) Viennese Philharmonics, and when he did, the First Violine blew him off like: “Man, if you think that, you’ll have to conduct faster”

[@MaxSMoke777]

I like how everybody in the orchestra is doing their best not to pay attention to him. Every eye is down on the paper, concentrating as hard as they can.

[@moonymonster]

Further proving my theory that Al is actually made out of rubber bands

[@kittiecandy747]

OH MY GOD I WANT THIS MAN TO BE MY CHOIR CONDUCTOR

[@mooginator9989]

Lol choir dum

[@anishraja9655]

I simply cannot understand how the wind players do not just burst out laughing in the middle of his routine.

[@40GamesAG]

Reminds me so much of Bugs Bunny! XD

[@vvvortic]

KentuckyWallChicken reminds me of i deserve challenjour, gg

[@ppp9922]

vvvortic wtf are you doing here this isn't a league of legends of video.

[@BruceBanner]

Al is much funnier.

[@Teenterror983]

Weeeeelll, they don't call him "Weird Al" for no reason, doc!

[@raymondweaver8526]

Leopold

[@princeofchemotherapy6544]

The Al of 87

[@cronscarrotfactory8895]

Feddn fesbar

ive watched this like over 10 times and it never gets old

[@dreamergirlbaby]

This totally made my day! And I thought my orchestra teacher was crazy lol.

[@BruceBanner]

Being so weird is what I love about him.

[@kristens3793]

HOW DID AL’S GLASSES NOT FALL OFF

[@akita_t33th20]

Weird Al logic

[@Viewported]

superglue

[@TomTastyTreats]

well, when you eat enough twinkie weener spray-cheese sandwiches...

[@spaceacefrehley]

The logic of weird people idk 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@tozboz1018]

I was just gonna say that!

[@dmGuillotine]

This is one of those moments in history which could have flickered brilliantly and then fizzled, but the lucky act of recording it made it legendary. If Al isn't immortal already (which is still hotly debated), feats of wonder like this continually immortalize his genius. And man, the stamina it takes for a performance like that...I'm in hysterical awe. :D

[@ladsbargain]

0:52 Good gracious, it seems like the candle extinguished by itself, however it seems like the clock is going too soon reach 6 in the morning. Oh dear, is that Frederick Fitzgerald Fazbearington located near the door?

[@matteocaiti4878]

Enough with Freddy Fazbear. It's not funny anymore

[@Plymouth_Belvedere]

Haha, a FNaF reference! I found this quite entertaining!

[@matteocaiti4878]

@@Plymouth_Belvedere didn't you read the comment above yours?

[@Plymouth_Belvedere]

@@matteocaiti4878 I did, and that's why I responded the way I did. Up yours. Kind regards, Andrew "Androo" Fingerbottom the 3rd.

[@thememecrusadingdolphin2729]

I love how everyone is hearing Toreador March everywhere because of FNAF lol

[@jerrydonmckenzie]

Only Al could pull this off and make it so funny yet so good. Bravo maestro!

[@smbsuperfan271]

0:28 All FNAF fans slowly rising out of the vents when this leitmotif plays

[@dartygun77]

Oh wow. I wish my band director was this energetic. Mine's like the dry eyes commercial guy.

[@SurlyCatMeow]

This is amazing! Would love to see Two Set Violin react to this!

[@alexfriedman7904]

Charles D they actually did lol how did u predict that

[@evieblue959]

@@alexfriedman7904 what video is that? can't find it.

[@ieatalgae]

They watched it for 2 seconds and then decided not to 😭

[@ieatalgae]

​@@evieblue959 "Why being a conductor is the hardest job in the orchestra" or something like that

[@PogieJoe]

Excellent physical comedy. Just like a cartoon character!

[@RadioactiveSkullSocial]

Them legs doe.

[@AceripXF]

i know right!!! lolz! hes like a rubber band lol

[@akita_t33th20]

Long leggos

[@djokeefe]

Only you, Mr. Yankovic, can you conduct Bizet's "Overture to Carmen" with your leg behind your head and get away with it. As a preveor of the fine arts, well done.

[@Atheneastro]

Every time I see this I fall in love with Al all over again!

[@GuysCallMeShawna]

Nice socks!

[@deetomm7773]

1:14 How is he more flexible than me?! 🤯

[@Jcrafter13]

That's one of the perks of being a living cartoon character

[@deetomm7773]

@@Jcrafter13 I agree. I am so glad I'm not the only one who sees him as a real life cartoon character.

[@sdrawkcab190]

1:13 I laughed so hard at the Violinist who couldn't stop laughing at weird al. =D

[@kaziiqbal7257]

Honestly, it’s actually pretty good, clear ictus, communicates the music well, job well done.

[@BadgerStyler]

I want to watch this video again. And again. And again.

[@rachelwalkowski5972]

Carmen will never be the same!

[@HikaruKatayamma]

I'm not sure who's performance was more impressive: The orchestra, or Al!

[@Oozles]

Best. Conductor. EVAR. How in the hell do those people keep a straight face?!? If I were there, I would be cracking up when he jumped on to the platform. :P

[@kdcapehart]

He is a living legend. He is eternal. He is Weird Al. Al be praised.

[@imwhitennerdy]

You could even hear the entire band trying their very best not to laugh xD

[@GreenfieldMN]

Great musicians ... anyone that could play properly while watching Al doing that must be good - there was one guy that lost it when he did the foot behind the head though :) Thanks for another great laugh Al!

[@thetubaguy27]

That's me on the tuba for this show. I wish the camera showed us.

[@gubtank]

Alfred Yankovic: best conductor ever

[@beatinbuddy]

He's like a real-life Bugs Bunny. And didn't expect him to be quite that flexible or have such good balance. Win.

[@Atheneastro]

Al, you are officially the greatest human being EVER!

[@lindathetford3776]

He is a real gem in this world he always makes me smile. I saw him live and he passed by me. I winked at him and he did the eyebrow wiggle at me and just busted out laughing

[@northofmars]

“guys guys this will be funny in like 30 years i promise”

[@williamlaham]

We, as a society, need to be sillier.

[@DantheToonMan]

Now that’s a sentiment I can toast to!

[@StevooCM]

Weird Al, you're the best!!!!!

[@dalzielvargas3907]

(lights go out) Weird Al: oh no

[@Mongalz]

1:12, my hips felt sorry for this. LOL

[@AceripXF]

😂😂

[@erikbertilsson]

wow I have imagined someone doing something like this since I was a kid, you are making my childhood dreams come true Weird Al!

[@memphiselle1]

0:51 Me listening to classical music.

[@ieatalgae]

Real

[@arianawatson380]

Omg so awesome I wish you could come direct our school orchestra that would be fantastic that was super cool!!!!!

[@JohnJApanovitch]

I came to this video from TwoSetViolin. They were doing a video on why being a conductor is such a hard job, and this was one of the videos they reacted to. They didn't even react because this video is meant to be a joke. I knew that by the way the conductor's dance moves were, this was definitely Weird Al. Fantastic job!! :)

[@Munchausen45]

What video?

[@RiddledMask]

It is surely a miracle those people could still play when Al is bouncing around like that

[@MaraMarz0919]

He should be my choir conductor😂😂😂🎶

[@foxlover1989]

I mean, that was probably the best conducting and dance moves I’ve ever seen lol. Bahaha 🤣

[@eviljbrian]

The players have got to be good to play as well as they did without laughing until the end. I was laughing the entire time.

[@ryansheehan9462]

That one violinist was cracking up while Al had his leg behind his head, but somehow managed to continue playing

[@evanzuri8300]

If I ever conduct an orchestra, I'm doing it like THIS!!!

[@cmdrchris971]

his erratic dancing, the suit with the red converse: its perfect

[@princeicio]

That's like watching a classic cartoon 0:25

[@shitposterone]

Awesome that this video has no thumbs down. "Weird Al" really beat the system with his awesomeness. Al, keep on doing your great job because i and your fanbase loves it, and we love your leg behind your neck. :)

[@lambgotti2489]

I’m 40 been watching his movies and stuff since I was young

[@CLRvision54]

Homies got a lot of energy for a 50 year old. HE IS THE COOLEST DUDE EVER!!!

[@Otokichi786]

"Weird Al" illustrates why orchestral conductors live such long lives; they have fun doing their job!;)

[@fantazemik]

My brain has been so corrupted that I went "FANF?" at that one part. You know what Im talking about

[@Sammerkona]

How the hell can the musicians keep playing without laughing? My hats off the to them. And Bravo Al !!!

[@xennial80sxberner]

love this, especially since there's almost no Al videos from 1990 and 1991 (well to be exact, late '89 to early '92... that time inbetween UHF and Off the Deep End he kinda fell out of the spotlight).

[@simongarcia2336]

Poor wind instruments had to play looking at the floor because if they saw him they would have laughed too much

[@rhondaarnesen6684]

I'm so jealous! Back in High School, I played violin. I would have LOVED to have Wierd Al as a guest conductor 😻😻🤘💚🖤💚

[@stephvandykeozzy]

That is my kind of conductor! :)

[@ChicoStopMotion]

Me: “Oh look it’s just another goofy video of Weird Al Yankovic” My brain 29 seconds: “What the fu-!”

[@randomx7526]

I love the fact that he clearly did some score study for this

[@AgaCobra]

OMG I LOOOOOOOOVE Weird Al! That has to be the best direction I've ever seen of an orchestra!!

[@katherinetomasello3661]

If all conductors were like this, there would be a surge in interest in classical music attendance. Especially by the kids

[@juliogarciamartinez9501]

I can't believe it, this happened on the day I was born!

[@cronscarrotfactory8895]

On ur birthday or were u born in 2011?

[@juliogarciamartinez9501]

@@cronscarrotfactory8895according to the video's description, it happened on a date in 1991 that happens to be the day I was born

[@cronscarrotfactory8895]

@@juliogarciamartinez9501 ooooohhhh I thought you meant when the video was uploded

[@blinkerz4676]

omg... WEIRD AL IS FREDDY FAZBEAR CONFIRMED!!

[@rainbowmarshmallows8522]

Top tier pssion, energy, and footwork.

[@AdmiringObserverR]

so much energy! so much flexibility!

[@abigmood3389]

The leg kick gets me every time

[@no1stunada]

Love this man!! Forever!! Would love to see more conductors use his marvelous moves! Maybe more people would attend the Philharmonics...

[@SuperJNG18]

This may very well be the most awesome thing of all time.

[@toresbe]

The fantastic mixture of raw musical talent and hilarity is so perfectly on brand for him. Of course Bernstein pioneered the one-leg-over-neck stance, but Mr. Yankovic perfected it.

[@krcs86]

"!, 2, 3, 4!!" LMAO

[@avant1963]

Al's gyrations are mesmerizing...

[@TeutaTheQueen]

lol @ the musicians trying to suppress laughter

[@m.e.y5871]

This is why I love weird al.

[@SuperGingerBickies]

Sir Simon Rattle, eat your heart out. With a fork.