November 14, 2008 

 

 

 

Dear JCHS Music Department Member and Parents:

 

On Monday, November 10, 2008, the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education approved our tour proposal for students in the JCHS Music Department to travel to Baltimore, MD, Williamsburg, VA, and Annapolis, MD from Thursday April 23 to Sunday April 26, 2009.

 

This year Short Hills Tours affiliated with ExpertTravel, Inc. will be our tour agent. ExpertTravel was our agent when we traveled to Orlando, FL in 2007. They proved to be reliable, courteous, and professional. They also gave us the best price from a number of agents that quoted us for the Orlando trip in 2007. The cost of this year’s trip will be $620.00 based on 96 students paying with quad occupancy accommodations. Below is what is included in the trip as well as the tentative itinerary of events.

 

I realize with many of you the troubled economy has hit home. This financial decision may be a bigger commitment from past years so I encourage you and your parents to thoroughly talk this over. I also want to remind you that you have several fund raising opportunities. One being the pie sale and the other would be selling tickets to our Music Marathon. You would make $5.00 towards the payment of this trip for each ticket you personally sell. If you alone sold 20 tickets, then you would receive $100.00 credit towards the trip. You will be able to sell tickets from mid January to the last week of February, 2009.

 

Short Hills Tours strongly recommends Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance and is pleased to make this option available through the Berkley Insurance Company. The policy offers travelers a full refund in the event they cannot travel due to illness or injury to themselves, or immediate family member. The policy also provides coverage for medical expenses while on tour, baggage protection and 24-hour emergency assistance. Contact Short Hills Tours at 732 247 2647 and ask for Ros (pronounced Roz). She is our agent from ExperTravel, Inc., who also represents Short Hills Tours.

 

It is also important to note that we would need enough students to have viable performing groups. If we are unable to make this happen then we would have to cancel the tour entirely.

 

If you plan on going on this trip, please open, print, and complete the information on the attached permission form and mail along with a check made payable to JCHS Tour 2009 for the sum of $200.00 to me at the address indicated on the permission slip by Friday, December 5, 2008. Once I receive your permission slip with the down payment, I will send more information regarding the tour.

 

Mr. Chamberlain

District Supervisor of Music

Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools

 

 

 

COST INCLUDES

 

Ø      Overnight accommodations at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hunt Valley, MD, or similar and 2 nights’ accommodations at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Williamsburg, VA, or similar

 

Ø      6 meals, including tax and gratuities: 3 Breakfasts

                                                          2 Dinners

                                                          1 Picnic Meal  

 

Ø      Transportation via private, deluxe motorcoaches with VCR/DVD

 

Ø      All sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary

 

Ø      Private Instrumental Masterclass conducted by members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

 

Ø      Reserved seats for an evening performance of Romeo & Juliet at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

 

Ø      Clinic at the College of William & Mary conducted by a member of the schools Music Department

 

Ø      Admissions include:    Go Karts Plus

                                  Busch Gardens Europe

                                  Ghost Tour in Colonial Williamsburg

                                  Bruton Parish (donation for performance opportunity)

 

Ø      Professional Security Guard on duty at the hotels each evening

 

Ø      Short Hills Tours Escort throughout the trip

 

Ø      One chaperone for every 10 students

 

Ø      All taxes and gratuities, including end-of-trip gratuity to Escort and Drivers

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE TRAVEL ITINERARY

 

Thursday, April 23

 

7:00 am            Motorcoaches arrive at James Caldwell High School for boarding.

            7:30 am            Depart for Baltimore with rest stop en route.

                                    Please, no carbonated beverages on motorcoaches!

11:00 am            Approximate arrival time into Baltimore.  Group will proceed to the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, for a private Masterclass for the James Caldwell Orchestra, to be conducted by a member of the BSO. (subject to approval and the BSO rehearsal schedule)

12:30 pm            Load instruments on coaches and proceed to the Inner Harbor for lunch at the Harborplace. Students and chaperones may purchase lunch, on own, at the various vendors followed by free time to explore the many souvenir shops.

                   pm             While at the Inner Harbor, the James Caldwell High School Jazz Band will share their talents with a public performance at the Harborplace Amphitheater. (Performance is subject to approval - music stands and extension cords must be brought from school).

            3:00 pm            Board coaches and depart for the hotel.

            3:30 pm            Arrive at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hunt Valley, MD, or similar, and check in.

            5:00 pm            Board coaches and depart for downtown.

            6:00 pm            Dinner (included) at Sabatino’s Restaurant in Little Italy, or similar.

7:30 pm            Arrive at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and take reserved seats for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Romeo and Juliet. (subject to availability - 8:00 pm performance)

          10:00 pm            Board coaches and depart for the hotel.

          10:30 pm            Approximate return time to hotel.  Professional Security Guard on duty at the hotel.

 

 

Friday, April 24

 

            5:00 am            Professional Security Guard off duty at the hotel.

6:45 am            Final check of rooms for personal belongings.

7:00 am            Breakfast (included) at the hotel.

8:00 am            Load luggage on coaches and depart for Williamsburg with rest stop en route.

12:00 noon          Approximate arrival time into Williamsburg.  Group will proceed to Colonial Williamsburg for a self guided tour of this restored area, including a brief film Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot at the Visitor’s Center. Group will also enjoy lunch, on own, while exploring the restored area.

                   pm             While at Colonial Williamsburg, the James Caldwell High School Choir will participate in a special public performance at Bruton Parish Church. (Performance is subject to approval)

2:30 pm            Arrive at the College of William & Mary for a hands on clinic for the James Caldwell Concert Band, Jazz Band and Choir, conducted by members of the William & Mary Music Department. (subject to approval and availability of department staff).

            4:30 pm            Load instruments on coaches and depart the college.

5:00 pm            Dinner (included) at the Golden Corral, or similar.

7:00 pm            Arrive at Go-Karts Plus for an evening of fun. Each student will receive a wristband for 2 hours of unlimited rides!

9:30 pm            Arrive at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Williamsburg, VA, or similar, and check in.

          10:00 pm            Professional Security Guard on duty at the hotel

 

 

 

Saturday, April 25

 

5:00 am            Professional Security Guard off duty at the hotel.

8:00 am            Breakfast (included) at the hotel.

            9:00 am            Board waiting coaches and depart the hotel.

9:30 am            Arrive at Busch Gardens Europe for a full day of fun. Admission provided allows for unlimited use of rides, shows and attractions.  While at the park, Group will enjoy a picnic meal (included). (Operating hours are subject to the 2009 schedule)

While at the park, the James Caldwell Concert Band will showcase their talents in a public performance. (Performance is subject to approval)

8:00 pm            Board waiting coaches and depart the park.

8:30 pm            Arrive at Colonial Williamsburg and join guides for “The Ghosts of Williamsburg” Candlelight Walking Tour.

          10:00 pm            Board waiting coaches and depart for the hotel.

          10:30 pm            Approximate return time to the hotel.  Professional Security Guard on duty at hotel.

 

 

Sunday, April 26

 

            5:30 am            Professional Security Guard off duty at the hotel.

            7:30 am            Final check of rooms for personal belongings.

            8:00 am            Breakfast (included) at the hotel.

            9:00 am            Load luggage on coaches and depart the hotel.    

12:30 pm            Approximate arrival into Annapolis, MD. Group will proceed to the Drydock Restaurant, located in Dahlgren Hall at the US Naval Academy for lunch, on own, or similar, followed by free time to explore this historic town.

            2:30 pm            Board coaches and depart for home with rest stop en route.

            6:30 pm            Approximate return time to the school.

 

 

 

All travel times are approximate.

Itinerary is subject to change based on availability of the items included in the program.