Dear Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band Parents/Guardians:

The Travis Unified School District has approved our trip to New York City from March 24, 2016 through March 29, 2016 held at historic Carnegie Hall. We will be traveling as a group to New York via a flight late Thursday evening (3/24), and will arrive in the morning the following day. While in NYC , we will stay at a Manhattan hotel designated by the festival. In addition to performing at the festival, we will be able to do some site seeing around New York, including the possibility of a Broadway show, September 11th memorial, and a number of landmarks and museums.

This is an amazing opportunity for our students. Carnegie Hall represents the most prominent stage the Vanden Music Department has ever performed on. New York City is one of the world’s most culturally rich areas and our students will have many opportunities to interact with that culture.

The rough estimated cost for this trip is approximately $1,600; this includes a quad room (4 students per room), travel to and around New York, and all of the events we have planned. This is price is the absolute maximum we would be charging, and are looking into several fundraising opportunities to lower this cost. Currently, we are looking into the possibility for a separate Jazz Band Performance, which may have a lower rate for students only participating in the jazz performance.

Payment schedule is as follows:
Due October 30 - Deposit - $250 November 15, 2015 - $340
December 15, 2015 - $340
January 15, 2016 - $340
February 15, 2016 -- payment may vary

The initial payment on October 30th is the most crucial. This doubles as a deposit for the trip, ensuring you are signed up and have a spot for the trip. (Final Payment will vary based on transportation needs, on site activities, and offsetting fundraising) *We will send out an e-mail to each person outlining the final payment, which will be no more than the standard $340.

If you wish to use fundraising, you must have earned the entire amount by the last week of January. If you are fundraising and have to pay out of pocket to bring your account current, it is due at the end of the school year; if your account has a credit after the fall, winter, and spring seasons, you can request a refund. Otherwise the overage will be considered a donation to the Music Boosters. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at the address below or attend our Music Booster meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. Payments can be made online via CHARMS, mailed to our P.O. Box, put in the Booster drop box at school with your student's name once school starts, or brought to the Booster meeting on the first Tuesday of each month.

Thank you,
Sherry Olmstead, VMB Treasurer 2015-2016