2024 New York Tour FAQ
Q. When is the trip?
A. We will leave the Bay Area either on a red-eye the night of June 4, or the morning of June 5. The festival concert at Carnegie Hall is June 8, and the return flight will be June 9. (note: travelers may stay beyond the June 9 window, see below).
Q. Are families of students allowed to travel with the group?
A. Yes! Families and friends of students are encouraged to participate in the tour, and will be able to take advantage of the group discount rates for airfare, hotels, travel inclusions, etc. – provided that they do not pull students out of the group experiences (student hotel rooms, group dinners, rehearsals, tours, etc). Family members will receive premium tickets to the Carnegie Hall concert, and enjoy all of the included sight-seeing and group dinners.
Q, What is the itinerary?
A. Travel details and times are not confirmed, but our tentative itinerary and inclusions are as follows:
TUE/WED JUNE 4-5 - Air travel, take bus to hotel in Mid-town, get unpacked, possible sightseeing, dinner at Angelo's Pizza at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
THU JUNE 6 - Double decker bus tour of Mid-town/Broadway/Chelsea/The Highline/Greenwich Village. late afternoon rehearsal, dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
FRI JUNE 7 - Rehearsal, Subway to downtown/9-11 Memorial, Staten Island Ferry to Statue of Liberty, Broadway show TBA.
SAT JUNE 8 - Concert Day! "Top of the Rock" tour to top of Rockefeller Building, Rehearsal & sound check at Carnegie Hall, concert, post-concert reception at Hard Rock Cafe.
SUN JUNE 9 - Central Park sight-seeing and bicycle tours, bus ride to airport, flight home.
Q. Can we use our frequent flyer miles, instead of the tour provided airfare?
A. All travelers must fly out on the same flight together, and that will be provided by National Concerts. But beyond that, you will have flexibility with regard to your return flight.
Q. What if we want to extend our vacation in New York?
A. It is anticipated that many families will want to extend their vacation beyond the date of the Carnegie Hall concert, and you will be able to schedule a return flight that fits your needs.
Q. Will there be time for families to hang out with their students during the festival?
A. There will be some breakfasts and lunches that students may share with their families, but most of the days and all of the evenings will be packed with activities that students will not be allowed to miss. Parents are requested to respect the student's peer group experience.
Q. Can I chaperone?
A. The group will need approximately 1 chaperone for every 12-16 students. Chaperone duties are light, but important. Chaperones travel at a rate that is modestly discounted from the normal family rates. The exact amount of the discount is TBD, depending on several factors. Parents who participate in the choir boosters, and parents of students with seniority in the choir program will be given priority for chaperoning.
Q. How much will it cost?
A. The performer (student) estimated cost for the trip – including the Carnegie Hall experience, most meals, and included sight-seeing excursions – is $1,597 + airfare, based on quad occupancy in all student rooms. The student price for the trip will be reduced by our fundraising efforts for the trip, but they also may be increased slightly, if some student rooms end up having less than four students. The non-performer (family) costs for the trip are somewhat less expensive than the performer costs, starting at $1,225/person + airfare for quad occupancy (see quote on ParentSquare for family travel costs by occupancy, or email Mr. Rockwell).
Note: Students will room with other students in quad occupancy whenever possible. Students will not room with their parents, unless there is a medical necessity, with a doctor's note.
Q. Aren't field trips supposed to be free?
A. The New York tour, as an optional, non-curricular event held outside the school calendar, is defined under MDUSD board policy as an "independent trip," and doesn't have the same fundraising restrictions as a curricular "field trip" held during the school year (such as our SF Opera field trip in November, which is provided free of charge to all students). It is important for parents to understand that as an independent trip, we will not be traveling under the district's liability policies. The sponsoring organization of this trip will be the CPHS Choir Boosters, and not Mt. Diablo Unified School District.
Q. What is the payment schedule?
A. Payment deadlines will be as follows:
• $300/person with completed trip agreement by September 15.
• $400/person by December 1
• $400/person by Feb 2
• Remaining balance by March 29
Note: All trip payments will be strictly non-refundable!
Also: extra rehearsals will be scheduled throughout the year, both before and after school, to learn all of the repertoire that we will be performing at Carnegie Hall. The schedule of these rehearsals will be published in the early fall, and all rehearsals will be required for all students traveling.
