There's a lot of information here, so please read it all.
Packing Tips
-You are packing for a nine-day trip. Expected temperatures: Low 42 High 65
-It is important to pack light! Luggage space on the motorcoaches and planes will be limited.
-Pack versatile, comfortable clothing you can layer for warmth. Rain is possible. Casual, but nice, is the general attitude for dress in Italy and Austria.
-Remember that luggage space is limited and you need to leave space for souvenirs.
-Please inform Dr. Mawhorter of your child's medication.
Luggage
-Each tour member is allowed to bring one suitcase under 50lbs in weight.
-Participants may also bring one carry-on bag, a medium-size school backpack is perfect
-Remember to strictly follow the 3-1-1 rule for airport security
-Piccolos, Flutes and Clarinets should be packed in your checked luggage or carry-on.
-Trumpets and Alto Saxophones will be treated as carry-ons (you may still have a carry-on).
-All large instruments will be checked.
-Check with your airlines to see all size and weight restrictions for international travel.
-Links for airline and 3-1-1 have been provided in earlier emails.
Items to Bring:
-Shirts, pants, shorts, skirts
-Socks/undies
-Band Hoodie, fleece top, sweater and/or light jacket
-Good walking shoes
-Travel alarm, watch, camera, new batteries
-Toiletries kit, contact supplies, glasses
-Info: guidebook, phrase book, map, tour handbook, trip info…etc.
-Shaker neck pouch w/student I.D., trip-tik, passport copy and emergency contact info.
-ATM debit card/credit card/traveler’s checks/cash/Euros to start the trip
-Uniform: jacket, pants, suspenders, black socks, black shoes, a white t-shirt for under your uniform (the one the boosters gave you), and the Alps trip t-shirt. (uniforms buddy program dissolved)
-Instrument: mouthpiece, lyre(s), flip folder, music, extra reeds, extra sticks, valve oil…etc.
-Medication: must be in the original container it was dispensed in, clearly labeled with your child’s name, the medication’s name frequency and dosage.
Optional Items to Bring:
-Address book
-Small umbrella and/or hat
-Small binoculars
-Small towel and wash cloth
-Hair dryer, curling iron, power adaptors for Italy/Austria. You can share items with your roommate(s).
-Ziplock bags, rubber bands, safety pins, twist-ties
-Journal notebook, pens, novel, travel game etc
-MP3 players
-Photos of home and family to show your new friends.
-Sunscreen (we hope)
Suggested Leave-At-Homes
-Irreplaceable or excessive jewelry
-Unnecessary electrical appliances
-Laptop computers
-Video game players
Testing Week:
Be sure to follow all guidelines outlined in the last email. Only enter the school through the band room door. Stay out of the hallways. Bring a lunch.
March 17th, 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium- Final Documents meeting. Each family must send a representative.
March 22nd, 7:00 p.m. in the High School North Gym- Trip Concert.
Medical and Liability Forms- Still missing 9; collected 503.
2nd Case Plan:
Bad News: The airlines have been charging full cost on every second checked bag for international flights. We have been updated by other traveling music ensembles about this. This is a worst case scenario for us. The total 2nd bag charge could exceed $20,000.00 for the trip. Therefore; we need to adopt the following plan to help avoid as many of these charges as possible.
Everyone- Be very mindful of the size and weight of your luggage. Over size or over weight luggage will cost $350 and you will be responsible for the cost. Also we are dissolving the uniform buddy program. Each student is responsible to pack and take his or her own uniform.
Piccolo, Flute and Clarinet players
-You need to either pack your instrument and case in your luggage or take it as a carry-on.
-You will be assigned to assist large instrument players through the airports or assigned a band office ‘2nd case’ to check.
Alto Sax and Trumpet players
-You need to take your instrument, in its case, as a carry-on.
-You will be permitted one carry-on (back packs are best) plus your instrument.
For Your Information
Austria
Population : 8,356,707
Area : 32,383 square miles
Capital : Vienna
Largest City : Vienna
Government : Federal Parliamentary Republic
Official Languages : German (also recognizes Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian)
Ethnic Groups : 82.5% Austrian
Italy
Population : 60,231,214
Area : 116,346 square miles
Capital : Rome
Largest City : Rome
Government : Parliamentary Republic
Official Languages : Italian
Ethnic Groups : Italian
Germany
Population : 81,757,600
Area : 137,847 square miles
Capital : Berlin
Largest City : Berlin
Government : Federal Parliamentary Republic
Official Languages : German
Ethnic Groups : 91% German, 2% Turkish, 7% other
Weather forecasts for the coming week
Verona
Occasional rain, highs in the mid 50s low in the upper 30s
Innsbruck
Rain, highs in the low 50s/upper 40s lows around freezing
Salzburg
Highs early in the week in the upper 30s; warming as the week goes on into the upper 40s. Long term forecast calls for continued warming with highs in the 50s by next weekend. Overnight lows below freezing overnight and into the 40s by the end of the week. Cloudy/partly cloudy with a chance of rain all week .
