2010 New Years Day Parade - London
The parade is by invitation only!
The Matanzas High School Band of Pirates will be the only representative of the State of Florida!
DATES OF TRAVEL
Depart US from Orlando International – December 27th in the afternoon.
Arrive London at Heathrow or Gatwick – December 28th in the morning.
7 hours overnight, dinner served, you MUST sleep on the plane.
Depart London – January 3rd in the morning.
Arrive US – January 3rd in the evening.
8 hours during the day, lunch served.
THE ESSENTIALS
The program has been very carefully prepared by a supremely experienced staff, many of whom have worked for 24 years on the project.
The aim is to provide for the participant a unique, culturally enriching, broadly educational, and ultimately hugely enjoyable travel program.
.General Program Details
Full time resident Resource Staff Member to look after you whilst you are in London.
‘The 2010 New Year’s Day Parade ~ London Souvenir T- Shirt’. A special limited edition shirt available to all participants and supporters will be provided in the USA prior to travel.
A souvenir photograph of the group taken either on Parade day for marching groups or at the concert venue for concert groups.
Specially arranged carriage of all musical equipment from airport to hotel and vice versa. Provision of storage room at hotel.
A specially struck 2010 New Year’s Day Parade Festival Medal.
Membership for one year of the ‘Youth Music International Performers Club’ (YMI Club). General Program Details
The Youth Music of the World specially written comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy.
All tips and taxes to all service providers.
It is considered appropriate for a gratuity to be presented to the Resource Person at the end of the performance program, which is not included.
Program Details – Travel
Round trip economy class air travel on a major airline from your U.S.A. gateway to a London airport.
One main meal and one snack meal served on each transatlantic flight.
Complimentary drink service on all long-haul flights.
Movies and audio entertainment on all long-haul transatlantic sectors.
Flights may be multi-sectored
The Parade
Begins at 12noon on January 1st, 2010.
It starts near Westminster Abby and the Houses of Parliament, and winds its way through central London, including passing through Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
The parade ends in Barkley Square at about 3:00pm.
The Band of Pirates will stop in front of the grandstands for a short feature performance.
Other Concerts
London Choral Festival: Choirs will participate in special concerts at major concert halls throughout London.
Special 'Gala Concerts' are presented throughout the event and include performances ranging from Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Orchestras and Choirs.
Performing groups will share their concert with other performers. The concerts are normally played to a full house.
Many concerts are held at St. John's, Smith Square.
Situated in the heart of Westminster – it is regarded, not only as one of the masterpieces of the English Baroque, but as one of London's finest concert venues, attracting internationally renowned artists and performers.
Each concert performance is adjudicated but not competitive.
Charity Benefits/Community Service
The Parade and Gala Concerts help raise funds for London Charities
Since its inception in 1987, the New Year's Day Parade - London has raised and donated two thirds of a million pounds to charities ($1.3m U.S.). Monies raised have benefited a wide range of London based charities.
Students may earn hours toward community service for their time participating in the events.
Half-day introductory tour
The tour will take in many famous and historic landmarks including the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace and much more.
A professionally qualified ‘Blue Badge’ guide will conduct the tour.
Although there are no entrances included, your guide will arrange a couple of stops at the most popular locations for photographs.
Full-day tour information
All full day tours have a duration of 10 hours, departing London at 8.00am and returning to your hotel at 6.00pm.
Visiting times will vary, depending on the distance from London and traffic conditions.
All tours include the services of a professionally qualified ‘Blue Badge’ guide and transportation by private chartered coach.
A full day tour to be chosen from the following:
1. Oxford & Windsor with entrances to Brasenose College in Oxford and to Windsor Castle.
2. Canterbury & Dover with entrances to Canterbury Cathedral and to Dover Castle.
3. Windsor & Hampton Court with entrances to Windsor Castle and to Hampton Court.
4. Stonehenge & Bath with entrances to Stonehenge and the Roman Baths in Bath.
5. Stratford & Warwick with entrances to Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford and to Warwick Castle.
nOxford is arguably Britain’s most important University town. Situated just about one hour’s drive from London, Oxford is steeped in history. The university, founded in the 13th century, still provides the main focus to the town, as one of the world’s most important centers of learning. Hundreds of the world’s most significant figures have been educated here over the years. Should you choose this tour, you would have the opportunity to visit one or two of the colleges, and sample the atmosphere of this historic institution. Many scenes for the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed at various Oxford colleges.
nStonehenge, meaning ‘hanging stones’ is a World Heritage Site. The circular group of enormous monoliths were placed on Salisbury Plain some 5,000 years ago but to this day it is not know by whom and why. What remains today is only a small part of what once stood here but it is still has an aura that is unique in the World.
nCanterbury & Dover are situated to the southeast of London. The town of Canterbury dates back to Roman times, evidence of which still stands today in the form of St Augustine’s Abbey. It has been a very important religious site throughout its history and the magnificent Cathedral It is the home of the “Canterbury Tales”. Dover is situated on the coast at the narrowest point between England and continental Europe. The Castle has been there since Norman times, around 1066, and it has played an important role throughout British history, none more so than during both world wars in the last century.
nBath, whose natural hot springs have made it a fashionable spa since Roman times, retains a celebrated 18th century atmosphere. The Roman Baths are one of the most important remains of the period in England. The town is situated on the River Avon, in a natural bowl surrounded by wooded downs, upon the steep sides of which the town is largely built. You will therefore see the tiers of crescents, terraces and squares that give Bath its unique architectural character. Today, the town has a thriving and very fashionable cosmopolitan centre.
nStratford & Warwick - Stratford upon Avon is most famous as the birthplace of the world's most performed playwright, William Shakespeare. Not only will you have the opportunity to see the actual house in which he was born, but there will also be an opportunity to enjoy some shopping in this delightful Elizabethan market town. Warwick Castle dominates the surrounding area and is the most complete example of a medieval castle in Britain. A series of wonderful exhibits charts the castle’s history from a medieval fortress to a comfortable modern home (including a dungeon!).
Half- Day trips
A half day (4 hours plus travel) tour to be chosen from the following:
nGreenwich is the ‘home to time’, located at 0 degrees longitude. It is also home to such important monuments as the Royal Observatory as well those with maritime significance such as the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Naval College and the ‘Cutty Sark’, which is on a fixed mooring on the River Thames. We include entrance to both the Royal Observatory and to the Maritime Museum.
nThe delightful historic town of Windsor is situated just 25 miles to the west of London. It is home to Windsor Castle that has, since the time of William the Conqueror over 900 years ago, served as residence and fortress for the British Monarch. The visit to Windsor includes a guided tour of the Castle and the Royal Apartments and a walk through this delightful market town.
nSituated in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Hampton Court Palace was built in 1515. By 1530, when the palace was purloined by King Henry VIIIth, it was already one of the country’s most impressive mansions. It was rebuilt and enlarged by Henry, into the building that you can see today - one of the finest examples of Tudor architecture and design. We include entrance to the palace and the gardens.
Program Details – Free time
½ Day of free time to be arranged at your discretion.
1 full day of free time to be arranged at your discretion.
Small groups must have a chaperone and a set itinerary.
ABSOLUTELY no students out in London by themselves.
An evening at the Theatre
Tickets to see a show, or attend a performance at a London West End Theatre or Concert Hall.
London is renowned throughout the world for its theatre.
Program Details – New Year’s Eve
Student’s will have their own 'New Year's Eve Celebration' at our London hotel with other student Parade participants.
The party will take place in a private room, with a professional 'disco' and cash only soft drink and snack bar provided.
The New Year’s Eve party is chaperoned.General Program Details
Program Details – Hotel
6 nights accommodation in a centrally located hotel in London.
Students will generally be accommodated in triple bedded rooms.
Adults will be accommodated in twin or double-bedded rooms.
All rooms have facilities including bath and/or shower and W.C.Meals – Breakfast
Continental buffet breakfast each day in London - 6 meals.
The menu includes a varying selection of bakery items with preserves, a selection of cereals with fresh milk, a selection of fruit juices, fresh fruit, yogurt, and a choice of hot drinks, including coffee, tea and hot chocolate
Meals – Lunch
Lunch is not included in the program.
Most American fast food ‘chains’ are represented and $ 8.00 per day will buy a sandwich and a drink.
Persons under 21 may eat in a “Pub” up until 9:00pm. Pubs are the English equivalent of restaurants such as Beef O’Brady’s, Chili’s, etc.
Pub food is good, fast, and much cheaper than American “fast-food” chains
Meals – Dinner
Dinner each day in London is included.
Two meals are provided in the hotel where the group will eat together in a banquet room.
Soft drinks are not included but are available for purchase for 1 pound (approximately $1.90)
The other four meals will either be in the hotel or in other restaurants in London. Details will be confirmed as the specific itinerary is confirmed.
Who can participate?
All students who are an active member of the Matanzas High School Band of Pirates for school year 2009-2010.
Students who have graduated from Matanzas High School as an active member of the Band of Pirates.
Parents and siblings of the above students.
Matanzas High School employees.
Cost of the Trip
Approximately $2220 + taxes per person
Trip payments will be made in 5 installments:
$200 – Nov. 1 2008 – $100 NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason
$300 – Jan. 1 2009
$400 – April 1 2009
$1000 – Aug. 15 2009
$300 + adjustments – Oct. 5 2009
After Feb 15 2009, the first $200 is non-refundable
All other deposits are refundable until May 15, 2009
After May 15, 2009, there can be NO refunds.
Fundraisers
Students may pay directly for their trip.
For those needing to raise the funds, the MHS Band Boosters are actively seeking fundraising opportunities.
All money fundraised will be kept on account for each student individually.
Passports
Passports are required for all travelers.
Passports must be valid for 6 months before traveling (July 1, 2009)
Passports take at least a month to process.
Students under 16 have more stringent requirements and their passport is only valid for 5 years.
Those with visa, citizenship, immigration concerns, etc. should begin the process early.
If you already have a passport, it should be renewed 9 months before it expires.
Cost of a passport:
16 and older, $100
Under 16, $85
Passport photos should be taken at an official passport photo location (Walgreens, CVS…)
The Flagler County Public Library is now an official passport office.
More information can be found at travel.state.gov
Parade History
The first "Lord Mayor of Westminster's Big Parade", as it was then known, took place on 1st January 1987.
London had never seen anything quite like it.
Featuring hundreds of dancers and musicians from home and abroad, it put real American-style razzmatazz onto the streets of London. It received such an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ from Londoners, tourists and indeed also from the authorities, that it looked like it was here to stay.
1992 – Mr. Knob makes his first trip to the parade.
1994 - renamed the London Parade, and in a bid to increase the local participation, London’s Boroughs were all invited to join the proceedings.
1996 - in conjunction with the BBC, the parade made a world-record ‘biggest marching band‘ attempt.
Mr. Knob’s second time to the parade.
The Parade raises substantial funds each year for charity.
1997 - Let's Help London Appeal and Challenge was launched. This is an initiative whereby Londoners are encouraged to participate in the creation of a Borough Entry in order to enable the Borough’s charities to benefit as much as possible from the fund raising activities.
2000 - In the Millennium year, the event took the title of “The Millennium Parade.” Mr. Knob makes his third trip to the parade.
2001 - the parade takes its current name, The New Year's Day Parade - London.Parade HistoryThe New Year's Day Parade - London is now part of the London Parade Festival, which also comprises a series of concerts and other performances in and around London between Christmas and the New Year.
2006 - first live international 3 hour T.V. program hosted by Simon Bates.
It was watched by 220 million people worldwide.
The New Year's Day Parade - London is now a very major entry in the United Kingdom’s calendar of events. It is good for London and it is enjoyed by millions of people world wide. Now the New Year’s Day Parade London is the biggest event of its kind in the world. More than 10,000 performers representing 20 countries world-wide will participate.
Boasts a live audience approaching a 1/2 million. Live Satellite Coverage will be beamed around the world. Major broadcasters such as the BBC, CNN, FOX news, SKY and CBS are all expected to cover the event.
Patrons representing the very highest levels of officialdom, including the recognition and support of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.