Departure in ...

Percussion Assignments Now Ready!

We have nine talented percussionists traveling with the District 99 Honors Band, and fourteen pieces of literature to coordinate.  We have done our best to assign students to parts they have already played this year.  In some cases, however, students will be playing new parts that they have not yet learned.  (This includes current Wind Ensemble members at both schools.)

Percussionists should CLICK HERE and print out their part assignments.

Dress Code for Vatican City

Vatican Dress Code

The informational 'Packing List' that we shared at our recent parent meeting did not address needs regarding what we must wear when touring Vatican City.  

A dress code is enforced for entry into St. Peter’s Basilica and Churches in general in Italy. The code is based upon what is considered “modest” and “appropriate” dress for visiting a Catholic church, and visitors are reminded that, although St. Peter’s is an architectural and artistic monument, it is first a place of worship and prayer. The dress code forbids:

• hats for lay men inside the Basilica
• shorts/skirts above the knees
• sleeveless shirts
• shirts exposing the navel
• shirts for women that expose cleavage
• shirts which contain profanity

For the sake of our tour, the travel agency we are working with has advised that we require the following of all student and adult participants:

MEN:

Long pants.  'Dockers' style.  No jeans.  No shorts.  Dress shoes.  Collared shirt (i.e. a short sleeved 'polo' style shirt.

WOMEN:

Long pants, or a skirt that hangs below the knees.  Dark or neutral colors (this is not the time to wear your bright pink Easter dress).  No jeans.  No shorts.  Dress shoes.  Shirt/blouse must have sleeves, and be extremely conservative.  Higher neck line is important.  

We have been told that admittance can sometimes be based on the preference of the guard who is working at the time.  Some guards might allow a visitor with nice jeans to enter, while another might take issue with jeans, and not let the person enter.  For this reason, as a tour group we are going to prohibit jeans completely at the Vatican, to ensure that we do not have an issue.  Wouldn't it be a shame to travel half-way around the world, and then not be able to see the Vatican because you had on jeans?

As our travel agent said to us, " ... best to think of this like you are going to a formal church on Sunday with your grandparents."

Departure in ...

Final Payment - Postmarked by April 6

This is a reminder that the final payment for the tour is due on April 6th.

The final payment is CONFIRMED as $600.00.

Please remit Coupon #6, as per the instructions on the coupon.

80 Days To Departure!

Update - Final Payments (March 2 & April 6)

This is a friendly reminder that the next tour payment for the 2012 Germany/Italy tour (Coupon #5) is to be postmarked by this Friday, March 2nd.

Thank you in advance for being on time with your payment!


There will be one final payment made - to complete the balance due - on April 6th.  On our about April 1st, we will contact families with the confirmed final tour price.  There are several variables that are at play.  The exchange rate (with a dollar that is stronger now than when the tour was quoted initially) is in our favor.  However, the European Union has leveraged a substantial new 'carbon tax' on all airlines with inbound planes from foreign countries.  


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45748814/ns/world_news-europe/t/european-court-defies-us-over-airline-carbon-tax/


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17114312



These taxes are predicted to eradicate much - if not all - of any gains we should be seeing with a stronger dollar.  


Our travel agency has advised us that they do not expect our tour costs will go higher than what was originally quoted.  Again, as we get closer to April 1, we will keep you informed.

Option for Money Exchange: Travelex in Naperville

The following was shared at Monday night's meeting, but only on a slide.  We wanted to make sure families had this information as an option for money exchange:


TRAVELEX in Naperville
Ogdon & Naper Blvd.
630.955.0535


Identify yourself as a "Downers Grove" or "District 99" band student, and receive an 8 cent discount for every dollar/Euro exchange.  They will also waive the $10 service fee.

Tonight's Meeting in the Cafetorium at DGS

Tonight's mandatory meeting for tour participants (and at least one parent/guardian) will be held in the 'Cafetorium' at South High School.  The meeting will begin at 7 pm, and last approximately one hour.

Please remember to bring the paperwork that should have been printed and completed at home (including a photo copy of the participant's PASSPORT and INSURANCE CARD).

Sign up for D99 Honors Band Text Msg Alerts!

You have already registered your email address with the tour blog, which means you will receive an email within 24 hours of a new post.  But maybe you'd prefer a text message alert within an hour of a new post?!

Now you can receive a text message, with a direct link to new announcements, every time the Tour Blog is updated.  It couldn’t be easier to stay informed about the tour ...

To subscribe:

1. Send a text (SMS message) to: 40404

2. In the message body type this exactly: follow @d99honorsband

Note: you MUST make sure you leave a space between the word “follow” and the “@d99honorsband”

To unsubscribe:

1. Send a text (SMS message) to: 40404

2. In the message body type this exactly: unfollow @d99honorsband

Would You Like To Blog For Us During The Tour?!

Would you like to be an 'official blogger' for our D99 Honors Band tour this summer? We are looking for approximately 8 students (4 from DGN, 4 from DGS) who would be willing to post real-time updates about our travels together.

Our department’s Tour Blogs have been featured as examples for other music tours in issues of School Band & Orchestra Magazine.  It is likely that your work could be viewed by hundreds – if not thousands – of music educators throughout the United States in the months to come.

There is “no blogging experience” necessary to be a part of this team.  Mr. Teague will meet with the team approximately two weeks before departure to teach everyone the needed skills to successfully post to the blog.  General social-networking skills would be helpful.  Facebook and Twitter users will pick this up quickly. 

Tour participants interested in being considered are invited to fill out the form D99 Honors Band Blog Team Application. To fill it out, CLICK HERE!

Rome, Italy Roommate

Students traveling on the tour will be assigned to a "double
occupancy" hotel room in Rome.

If participants have a roommate preference they should come to the
February 27th meeting prepared to express their request.

Medical Form and copy of Insurance Card

As you already know, we have an important (mandatory) meeting for all tour participants and at least one parent or guardian scheduled for Monday, February 27th, at South High School.  The meeting begins at 7 pm.  At this meeting we will go over important tour updates, sign paperwork, turn in forms, and students will have the opportunity to select their tour shirt size.

Earlier in January we posted a letter and two forms on the tour blog, and asked that your family please print these out and bring them with you to the meeting on February 27th.  These included a Student Information Card and a copy of the participant's Passport.  (If you need a refresher on where to find these forms to fill out, please click here.)

There will be several other important documents provided to you at the meeting, that we are required to go over with families in person.  Some of these you will sign and return that night, including the Medical Form.  Because it may take you some time to complete the medical form, and because we would like you to also bring with you a photo copy of the participant's medical insurance card, we are providing these two forms in advance of the meeting for those who would like to get a head start.

We will provide a blank form for you at the meeting to use as needed, but you may find it helpful to print these forms in advance and determine the phone numbers of physicians, etc.  

Here is a direct link to the Medical Form and the Medical Insurance Card Form:
http://www.box.com/s/8kvztvq6v2k719zdldf3

Updated Itinerary Available

We have recently uploaded a major update to our itinerary for this summer.  This revision includes significantly more detail about each day of the tour.  Check it out!

Direct link to our Itinerary Folder:  http://www.box.com/s/vgbxtip9ph8y1c4rco0z

Required Meeting This Month! Have you filled out your forms yet?

This post is a reminder that we have a required tour meeting on Monday, February 27th, at South High School.    The meeting will begin at 7 pm in the DGS Cafetorium.

If you have not yet had a chance to download and print the paperwork that is required for the Feb. 27th meeting, please do this immediately to make sure you have everything in order.  You can find that information here:

http://d99honorsband2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-update-letter-time-sensitive.html

Thank you!

Tour Payment Reminder - February 3rd

This is a friendly reminder that the next tour payment for the 2012 Germany/Italy tour (Coupon #4) is to be postmarked by this Friday, February 3rd.

Thank you in advance for being on time with your payment!

January Update Letter - Time Sensitive Forms

Tour Update - Important Forms & Next Meeting

We have just uploaded a very important letter, two required forms, and a schedule of rehearsals for the tour.  Please go to the following link and read/print out this information.

http://www.box.com/s/9gporps9mqrbdzdfeqsz

This information is time sensitive, and includes important instructions regarding passports.  Additionally, the date for the next required meeting is announced in this mailing.  Thank you for studying this information carefully.

Tour Payment Reminder - Dec. 16th

This is a friendly reminder that the next tour payment for the 2012 Germany/Italy tour (Coupon #3) is to be postmarked by this Friday, December 16th.

Thank you in advance for being on time with your payment!

Tour Payment Reminder - Nov. 18th

This is a friendly reminder that the next tour payment for the 2012 Germany/Italy tour (Coupon #2) is to be postmarked by this Friday, November 18th.

Thank you in advance for being on time with your payment!

How are students placed in host families?

One of the most common questions asked this evening was "How are the students placed in host families?"

We're glad you asked!

D99 students will be asked to fill out a personal card that describes their background, and shares some of their personal interests.  They will then be matched to a German host family by the faculty at the Musikschule in Bietigheim-Bissingen.  Their staff makes every effort to pair our students with a German student that has similar interests, is the same gender, and close in age.

We are sent the names and contact information for the host family approximately one month prior to departure.  Your family will have the opportunity to communicate with the German host family through email before your child travels to Germany.  Students often become 'Facebook friends' before they actually meet in person!

It is also important to note that every host family includes persons who speak English.  Your child will not need to speak any German in order to communicate, however students typically have fun learning some basic key phrases with their hosts during the week-long exchange.

It begins!

This week marks the 'official' kick-off of our 2012 District 99 Honors Band Tour to Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, and Rome, Italy.  The music faculty of North and South High School are excited to begin this amazing musical and cultural journey with you!

District 99 has enjoyed a wonderful exchange program with the Bieitigheim-Bissingen Musikschule for over 25 years.  We are certain you will cherish the memories that will be created during this tour for years, and years to come!