Preparing for the Journey
Over the last year, our team at Director’s Choice Tour and Travel has been working very hard to ensure that the Lubbock High School Choir trip to the United Kingdom is one full of fun, education, and beautiful music. We have been talking consistently to our British contacts, arranging flight lists, double and triple checking itineraries with Mrs. Dent and Mrs. Hefner, and working in every way to dot every “i” and cross every “t” for the sake of the success of the trip.
I personally have enjoyed the challenge of the planning process and welcome the opportunity to join the Lubbock High School Choir in the opportunity of a lifetime. Hopefully I can live up to the title of “Honorary Westerner.”
Many students on this trip have never taken a ride on a plane, never performed in a formal environment other than their school auditorium, and never tasted clotted cream, but that is what traveling is all about: new experiences, new cultures, and yes, even new foods to try!
Undoubtedly, many students are looking forward to all of the unique opportunities they will have, but none more exciting than the opportunity to perform under the Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. The students and directors are honored and excited to present a full recital, not only in the acoustically perfect dome of St Paul’s, but in the Canterbury Cathedral. They will also be performing at Winchester Cathedral and attending their choral evensong.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The students, the chaperones, and the directors are ready to go, and Director’s Choice Tour and Travel and I could not be more proud to have been chosen to be a part of this experience with you! Thank you!
The Four Year Travel Plan
Each band, choir, and orchestra program that travels together as an ensemble realizes a recruitment and retention advantage. With an extensive array of performance options accessible around the globe or close by, a director can choose the perfect blend of enriching and entertaining opportunities on an annual basis. Considering the unique financial features of each community and the travel needs of each program, a Director’s Choice Four Year Travel Plan is a conscientious element of any healthy music core curriculum.
Although a group tour to a remote and fresh destination is exciting, it is important to be mindful of the potential elevated costs of such an activity. Consider a destination preceding and/ or following such an endeavor that is value packed at a lesser price point. By increasing what is included in the tour to a nearer destination, the recruitment and retention needs of a music program are sustained. The economic position of each community can be dissimilar; as a result the characteristics of each Director’s Choice Four Year Plan can be unique. Examples for groups originating from states in the South could be as follows:
A common misconception of group leaders is to assume that their ensembles have become weary of a specific destination. The reality is that a student group benefits from the experience of travelling together – they can have an extraordinary time anywhere!
A Director’s Choice Four Year Travel Plan also provides students, parents, directors, and administrators with a helpful instrument for preparation. All of the financial and performance requirements of a music program are determined in advance allowing everyone to be focused on the current obligations.
Now Playing: Online Festival Schedules
Director’s Choice Tour & Travel is excited to announce an important update to the Choice Music Events online Festival Schedules. Starting today, you can now request a performance time through the Choice Music Events website. In addition, you can now request to be notified via e-mail if a currently filled performance time becomes available.
The “Request this slot” link gives you the ability to enter your first and last name, school name, ensemble type, e-mail address, and phone number. This will let the Choice Music Events staff know you’re interested in the performance time.
The “Request if opens up” link gives you the option of submitting your name and e-mail address so we can notify you if that performance time becomes available.
We hope you find these improvements useful, and look forward to adding even more functionality in the near future!