Trip FAQ

     

Music Links
Do you do a trip every year?
Yes, we do. Each year we carefully plan a trip that gives students a chance to musically celebrate their great efforts throughout the year. These trips are focused on performances and often competitions.
Where do these trips go to?
Most of our trips are based in North America, but on occasion we will send some of our more specialized groups further afield. This year we had two trips because of the large numbers of students, one to Montreal and one to Halifax for the Atlantic Band Festival. We have had trips to Chicago and Orlando in the past, and we are considering many exciting destinations for next year.
 
How do you choose destinations?
 
There are so many factors to consider when choosing a trip destination. Each year we peruse many different possibilities, and after careful consideration and investigation of each of them, and a careful "read" on the strength of our various musical groups, we make our best decision. We pride ourselves each year on providing a high quality musical experience for our students with memories to last a lifetime!
 
My son or daughter isn't able to participate in the trip this year. Does this mean they can't be in band or choir?
 
Not at all! We are a very large and comprehensive music program that offers many fine musical events for your son or daughter to participate in throughout the school year. We understand that families often have to make their own best decisions given their own hectic schedules, and sometimes it means that a student can't participate. We certainly hope and encourage all students to participate fully in the bands and choirs, regardless of their own personal trip plans.
 
Does the fundraising I do go towards my son or daughter's specific trip?
 
Yes, it does. It's a lot of work, but we keep the equivalent of an individual bank account for each and every student on the trip. You will receive regular personal updates (benchmarks) of what monies you have paid, as well as what money you have raised through fundraising.
 
I've never been a big fan of fundraising. Do I have to do it?
We leave this decision up to each individual family. We do have people who just write us a cheque as each benchmark comes due, rather than become involved in fundraising. Should they choose this option, this is fine with us. We have other people who participate fully in fundraising, dramatically reducing their out of pocket costs. This of course is fine too. Our main goal with fundraising is to ensure that all students who wish to participate on the trip do have the opportunity to go. For some, this will require active participation in the fundraising available, and we're happy to be able to provide this opportunity for all those who wish to take part.
 
We're having to be very careful with our personal finances right now, and we're not much into fundraising. What do we do?
At this point, you'll need to make a decision. Again, we provide the fundraising to make it fully possible for all those who want to participate in the trip to raise the necessary funds. The key here is the willingness of each family or student to participate in the fundraising.
 
I've been involved in different fundraisers before, and they really don't raise that much money. Are you sure we can raise the funds necessary?
 
Absolutely! We run several large fundraisers throughout the year, which combined should be able to help you raise the amount of money you need. In the past, our main fundraisers have been barbeques, family games night, and the selling of entertainment books, all of which have been largely successful.