Greetings and welcome to a new school year at GACS! In order to plan effectively this year, I would like all of you to read the following posts and then take the poll on the left. I hope to be able to announce the tour details by registration day.
History:
Previously, the A Cappella choir has traveled to churches and retirement centers throughout the country, leaving early on the morning following commencement and returning in 7-10 days. The mode of transportation has been almost exclusively by bus, stopping to sing at various points along the way. Housing has been provided in homes of members of congregations we are visiting, and some meals have also been provided by those congregations. Additionally, depending upon the destination, there has been an opportunity to sight-see, attend an amusement park, or see a stage production. It is my understanding that costs used to be between $400-$600 per person traveling.
Vision:
While my primary goal for the tour is to continue the long-standing tradition of the A Cappella Chorus in visiting various churches and communities, it is absolutely necessary that the travel be of maximum spiritual and educational value in order to give students the preparation they require prior to matriculation. Therefore, I am currently pursuing opportunities that will allow them to sing quality music in a festival setting with other choruses as well as opportunities that will allow for adjudication by established professionals.
Tour Options:
All tour options still include church concerts and some homestays, and travel is still by motorcoach. All costs are fairly conservative estimates, but they do not include spending money.
1.) Stay very close to home (e.g. Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama), shorten the length of the tour to four days, attend a local musical theatre production, keep costs low ($450 - $550)
2.) Attend a one-day festival in Williamsburg, VA, have the opportunity to be adjudicated by music professionals (as a group), go to an amusement park and/or historical attraction, keep the length of the trip 7-10 days. ($650 - $800)
3.) Perform at the Kennedy Center with selected choirs from around the nation.*(We would still have to be selected to perform.) Tour D.C. and port towns in Virginia and the Carolinas. There is a hotel stay required in D.C. with part of this tour. ($1300 - $1500)
History:
Previously, the A Cappella choir has traveled to churches and retirement centers throughout the country, leaving early on the morning following commencement and returning in 7-10 days. The mode of transportation has been almost exclusively by bus, stopping to sing at various points along the way. Housing has been provided in homes of members of congregations we are visiting, and some meals have also been provided by those congregations. Additionally, depending upon the destination, there has been an opportunity to sight-see, attend an amusement park, or see a stage production. It is my understanding that costs used to be between $400-$600 per person traveling.
Vision:
While my primary goal for the tour is to continue the long-standing tradition of the A Cappella Chorus in visiting various churches and communities, it is absolutely necessary that the travel be of maximum spiritual and educational value in order to give students the preparation they require prior to matriculation. Therefore, I am currently pursuing opportunities that will allow them to sing quality music in a festival setting with other choruses as well as opportunities that will allow for adjudication by established professionals.
Tour Options:
All tour options still include church concerts and some homestays, and travel is still by motorcoach. All costs are fairly conservative estimates, but they do not include spending money.
1.) Stay very close to home (e.g. Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama), shorten the length of the tour to four days, attend a local musical theatre production, keep costs low ($450 - $550)
2.) Attend a one-day festival in Williamsburg, VA, have the opportunity to be adjudicated by music professionals (as a group), go to an amusement park and/or historical attraction, keep the length of the trip 7-10 days. ($650 - $800)
3.) Perform at the Kennedy Center with selected choirs from around the nation.*(We would still have to be selected to perform.) Tour D.C. and port towns in Virginia and the Carolinas. There is a hotel stay required in D.C. with part of this tour. ($1300 - $1500)
Mitigating the cost:
Traditionally, A Cappella has had one fundraiser, which has been the carnation sale. I will open a different discussion regarding the ins and outs of fundraising, but for the purposes of this post, please know two important details: 1.) any fundraising at school seems to raise a maximum per student of ($100-$200) and 2.) I will do my best to find help for those who are truly in need.
Summary and instructions:
While I could choose an itinerary on my own, I am aware that as gas prices have doubled, the better tour options have become more expensive. Many of you have enrolled in chorus expecting a certain range of costs, and I would like to provide the best tour we can all afford.
Nevertheless, certain opportunities are priceless. Of the elite performing venues in the United States, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall are perhaps the best. The Amici Chorus had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall last year, and I feel it is only fitting that the A Cappella Chorus display their talents at the Kennedy Center.
Please take a moment to use the tool at the left to vote on tour pricing (which will dictate location). Please choose the level of participation at which you are currently comfortable. Do not assume costs will be lower. This will give me a truer picture of what I am able to do with the group. Your vote is anonymous. Only one vote per choir member, please.
Voting closes August 3, but is open now.
Because it is possible to vote many times, I will send you an email requesting confirmation that you have voted on August 3.
Parting thought:
Why such lofty goals?
Because the relentless pursuit of excellence is but the minimum we can give back to God as thanks for our talents.
I look forward to working with all of you this year.
In Him,
Chalis Montgomery
Posts
