Spring TRIP to BUSCH GARDENS

Please see below for all information about the Spring Music Department Trip to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. 

STUDENT RULES AND EXPECTATIONS:

Click HERE.

YouTube Videos of each Roller Coaster:

Click HERE.

This year, we will be a part of a Professional Masterclass Clinic Series before or after we take our full-day trip to Busch Gardens Theme Park in Williamsburg, VA.  All students will have the opportunity to learn and grow musically from professionals in our area who are experts in the field of music.  The Masterclass Clinic for each discipline (Band, Chorus, and Orchestra) will occur at different times throughout the week of May 18th (either during school or after school).  The individual directors will communicate to their own students and parents/guardians the detailed plans for their clinics. 

On Friday, May 29th, all music students will report to SCMS as normal (School Buses/Kiss and Ride), meet in their individual music rooms, then board the charter buses and drive directly to Busch Gardens.  This Masterclass Clinic experience and annual Theme Park trip is very popular amongst music students and has proven to be both educational and fun for all!

This year's Clinicians: 

TBA

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SPRING TRIP PACKET with COMMITMENT FORM and PERMISSION SLIP

Due by Friday, April 17th.

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PAYMENT AND COMMITMENT DEADLINES

           This year's trip will cost TBA.  This price includes the Clinician Fee, Theme Park admission, charter bus cost, and music department t-shirt.  Chaperone costs will be covered.  Please reach out to your student’s director with any financial concerns you may have.

Each family must complete the attached Commitment Form and Permission Slip to your child’s director, along with the trip payment by FRIDAY, APRIL 17th, 2026.  (See information on below about payment procedures).  

**Refunds: Because all costs are paid prior to the trip, full refunds are not possible. Students who commit to the trip and are later unable to participate will be able to receive their t-shirt and park ticket to use on another day during the park’s season.

If you/your student have any outstanding balances on any Band Class Fee ($46) or Instrument Rental Fees, please take care of those first before paying for the Busch Gardens Trip.  

They can be paid on MySchoolBucks.

Thank you. 

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PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to attend this year’s trip, students must:

·   Be active and contributing members of their music ensemble. This can be demonstrated by fully participating in their classes/rehearsals and ALL performances throughout the year. 

If students have any unexcused absences from any concert this year, they will not be allowed to participate.  

·   Follow the code of conduct as outlined in the FCPS SR&R document.  Discipline referrals may result in a student’s exclusion from the trip.

·   All students MUST be present at school for the Professional Masterclass Clinic in order to attend the trip to Busch Gardens.

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CHAPERONES

If you would like to be considered as a chaperone, please complete the Chaperone Interest Google Form (in packet above). Chaperone duties will include, but are not limited to, taking attendance on the bus, monitoring student behavior, and taking a shift at the first aid station. Directors will consider a variety of factors when selecting chaperones in order to ensure appropriate student supervision.

Google Form:

Link will be active until Friday night, April 11th. 

Sincerely,

Scott Niehoff, Band Director, sniehoff@fcps.edu

Jessica Kusdarman, Orchestra Director, jjkusdarman@fcps.edu 
AJ Rodriguez, Choir Director, ajrodriguez@fcps.edu  

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AGENDA AND SUPERVISION

           Students will be directly supervised by directors and chaperones from the time they arrive at school until they are released to travel in small groups while at Busch Gardens.  Students will be responsible for staying in groups of four or more SCMS students while they are in the park but will not be directly supervised by chaperones while enjoying the park’s activities. All students are required to wear their SCMS Music Department T-shirt (included in student cost) while in the park for quick recognition by the chaperones. Adult chaperones will be stationed at a central location in park for students who may need help.

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ITINERARY  

7:10 AM Students report to SCMS dressed in Spring Trip TShirt.

7:25 AM                Students report to SCMS Music Rooms

8:00 AM                Buses depart SCMS for Williamsburg, VA

10:15 AM              Buses arrive at Busch Gardens Theme Park and are given tickets.

Students ride rides, go to shows, eat lunch (bring $), and have lots of fun.

2:30 PM                Student check-in with chaperones at the Kinder Karussel in Germany near                                          Land of the Dragons.

Students ride rides, go to shows, eat dinner (bring $), and have lots of fun. 

7:00 PM                   Students return to the buses.

7:15 PM                Buses Leave Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

9:30 PM                Arrive at SCMS. (Buses will use the Bus Loop so please park in the main
                                        parking lot to wait for your child and not in the Bus Loop.) 

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SCMS Music Department T-Shirt Design Contest 2025!

Design the Music Department’s Spring Trip t-shirt that will be worn by everyone at Busch Gardens!    Follow the guidelines below to have your design considered. 

Submit your design by Friday, April 10, 2026 to your music teacher to their hand or by email!  (Using customink.com is a great way to design a shirt and email it to your director if you choose.)  We will then create a Google Slide with all designs and then be voted on by all music students.

T-Shirt Guidelines

·        Design should fit on an 8½” x 11” sheet of paper.

·        Should not be too intricate…it won’t translate well onto a t-shirt.

·        Design must be school appropriate.

·        Design must say “SCMS Music” somewhere on it.

·        It can incorporate a roller coaster or some sort of Amusement Park theme.

·        You can also add “Band”, “Chorus”, and “Orchestra” on your design.

·        Only 1 color should be included in your design.