New York Trip email sent 8/17

This email was sent to all Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students and families on 8/17:

Greetings *Grades 10-12* Band Students and Families!

We’re excited to share some initial information with you today about the VAHS Music 2027 New York Trip!  We’re still in the planning process for this trip, so we don’t have all of the details finalized yet at this point.  But we want to share what we know so far so that students and families can start planning for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Q: Who is eligible for the trip?

A: VAHS music students in grades 10-12 enrolled in a year-long 3rd/4th-hour Band, Choir, or Orchestra class for the 2026-27 school year. All student travelers must be in good standing academically and with the VAHS code of conduct to participate in the trip.

Q: Can parents/guardians be chaperones?

A: Yes!  We will need lots of parent/guardian chaperones to join us to help ensure that the trip runs smoothly.  

Q: What are the dates of the trip?

A: We are scheduled to depart VAHS in the afternoon of Monday, February 15th, 2027 and return to VAHS in the afternoon/evening of Saturday, February 20th, 2027.

Q: What is the deadline to sign up for the trip?

A: All student musicians and parent/guardian chaperones must commit to the trip and pay the trip deposit no later than Sept 15th.

Q: How much does the trip cost?

A: The exact cost depends on a lot of complicated factors, including the total number of travelers and fluctuating prices for fuel and other costs.  The cost ceiling we have from our travel company as of June 2026 is $1950 per traveler. (Which means that the final cost may be lower, but it will not be higher.)  An initial deposit will be due by Sept 15th when you commit to the trip, monthly installments will be due through Jan 8th.  (More details to follow on this.)

Q: Will there be fundraising opportunities for students?

A: Yes! VAHS will provide several optional fundraising opportunities that students can choose to participate in, including Winter Concert ticket sales.  Our travel company also provides an online portal for students to collect contributions towards their trip cost from family, friends, etc.

Q: What is included in the trip?

A: Our final itinerary will be confirmed closer to our travel dates.  Our goal is a very similar itinerary and experience as previous New York trips.  Previous trips have included three hotel nights just blocks from Times Square, all transportation costs, a Broadway show, concert/opera performance, 9/11 museum, Ellis Island ferry tour, exchange concert(s), university clinic with music faculty, Top of the Rock, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other experiences.  Usually about 2/3 of the meals are full-group meals included in the cost of the trip and about 1/3 of the meals are with chaperone groups that students/chaperones pay for out of pocket.

Q: Ok, cool!  Now what?

A: Three parts to this answer:

1.) Attached to this email is a PDF document from our travel company (Bob Rogers Travel, a.k.a. BRT) with registration and payment information.

2.) If you’d like to sign up for the trip right now, the registration link is: https://bobrogerstravel.grcoll.co/v2/go/verona27

3.) Please join us for our New York 2027 info meeting on Monday 8/24 at 7:30pm in the VAHS PAC, immediately following the Music Family Welcome Night. Materials will be available after the meeting if you are unable to attend in person.

The VAHS Music Department is excited to be able to provide this opportunity to our students and families, and we can’t wait for the trip!

-Mr. A (and the VAHS music team!)