Heritage - California 2019 TRIP
March 27 - 31 (6AM)
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A Special Trip to Celebrate a Casteel Orchestra Milestone

Photos From This Trip:

More coming soon! Check back for updates!

our goal

We have graduating seniors for the first time!

When our graduating seniors were in 9th grade, they set about to help create an orchestra program that would be exemplary.  The Chamber Orchestra has received a Superior at every festival and last year, took overall first place.  They were completing against all divisions. 

To celebrate their hard work, we are offering an extended celebratory trip to send them off with a big "thank you" from the program.

This will be a California trip like no other we have previously taken, or that we will take in the future.  Students have asked that we extend our trip by one day and include a day at the Disney Parks. We have also extended this opportunity to the 8th Grade Concert Orchestra. 

Due to the extra cost of this trip, with the possible exception of Chamber Orchestra, the program will not make an out-of-state trip next year. 

This trip is not a "given." We will need almost everybody to be on board to make it a reality. Fundraising and mostly, tax credit donations, will be the only way we can meet this goal. The decision is up to the families. If families are on board and sign the contract, we will embark on an opportunity of lifetime. The choice does not belong to Ms. Jones. She has worked hard to find the best price, get the trip approved via the district, and help students prepare musically. The "dotted line" is up to parents and families. There is no pressure, only the reality that due to cost, all students must participate or the cost will go up even higher. It is high, and there is no adverse response from Ms. Jones if we don't go. 
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Chamber Orchestra at California. Photo Credit: Matthew Hepworth

THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

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Rose Theater: Orange County

Update: 
Due to bus company regulation, start time might be changed. Keep checking for more info

Itinerary

Packing List

Forms:

Contract
​PowerPoint Presentation

Payment:

Parent Portal

Community Tax Credit Contributions (scroll down to bottom of booster page for directions)
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Cost

The cost for this trip, will start at $950 per person. We understand this is a huge sum of cash, so we recommend you approach friends and extended family members in the state of Arizona to donate via Tax Credit! Tax credit per family can save you up to $400 and itls free of charge! The more families/individuals that donate, the cheaper it will be for you!

FAQ

We are working to update this section as quickly as possible.

Roughly, what does this trip include and not include? 
  • Transportation
  • 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts
  • Two days at Disney
  • Clinic at Chapman College
  • Festival and Clinic
  • Awards Ceremony at Disney
  • Hotel for 3 nights
  • Costs of chaperones and bus drivers.

Can we make arrangements for our own travel, meals and hotel? It might be cheaper?
We are working to keep costs down as much as possible. State procurement laws and district policy require that we use only verified vendors for any payment. We are going through World Strides, a tour management company that will subcontract with vendors. World Strides is a verified vendor and has managed many CUSD music tours.

Is World Strides the only tour management company? Is there a less expensive company?
  • No.
  • Last year we used Educational Performance Tours. We were not thrilled with the performance venue.
  • They did not include a performance clinic.
  • They did not include a performance schedule that would allow us an extra day at the park.

why is it expensive

This trip, as you already know, is extremely expensive and here is why:
Carnegie Hall is expensive. In general, music venues are are very expensive. The Hall itself is the most costly, plus the festival allows for a full performance and clinic.
  • One of our normal trip to CA costs about $650 per student; averaging $325 a day (some costs have been covered by program to lower payments to families.
  • This trip is extended a day with a day at the park.

$$$

Tax Credit, Tax Credit, Tax Credit

Tax Credit is the very best way to help fund a big trip. Call upon friends and family.

Booster will have several wonderful fundraisers coming up.  We will need their hope to pay for some of the still needed meals, and just maybe be able to offset the actual cost of the trip.

Watch for our major crowd sourcing campaign: "Frills, Not Bills". You will have the opportunity to help us raise funds from friends, families and beyond.  Thanks to Andrew's Fine Violins, who has offered $4,000 in matching funds we have potential to help out with this trip.

payments

*Note: This will update often, so please check back for further updates!


Boosters are working on ways to help offset costs. Please think about becoming active in meetings and activities. They have a couple of exciting announcements to come with regard to raising funds and encouraging local businesses to help us.

recent updates
 As of 2/15 the boosters have contributed the final $100 for each student.  As mentioned in the informational meeting, we asked parents to not pay the final $100, because any funds that might be contributed by the boosters may not be refunded. If you did pay that that final $100, it will remain with the orchestra program.