TRAVEL When traveling locally with the bands, members sometimes use district school buses. A list of students attending each event is used to take attendance at departure and arrival points. Students are expected to obey all rules and expectations of the bus driver and to leave the bus in the same condition as when it was boarded.
EXTENDED OR OUT OF STATE TRAVEL All band trips are: 1. Appropriately balanced with a good mix of educational, musical, and fun experiences. 2. Highly structured with an active and well planned itinerary in which students are busy throughout the trip. 3. Adult chaperoned with a ratio of one adult for every 10-15 students, who are with the students at all times. Whenever possible, a doctor or nurse travels with the band. Other district band directors often serve as chaperones as well
The Century High School Band Department will offer an extended tour every two years. Eligibility for this trip is limited to Century band members in grades 10-12. Students in grade 9 are also eligible to attend if they are a member of Wind Ensemble or Jazz Ensemble #1. All students are expected to follow all school and NDHSAA rules at all times during the trip. These trips are optional and are in no way required for participation in the curricular bands. This trip will often, but not always, be scheduled over a break or after school is out to minimize the amount of school being missed. Past trips have included New York, Anaheim, and the Bahamas. These optional tours will generally cost between $2,000.00 and $2,800.00 per student.
TRIP PROCEDURE Tour information, including eligibility, tentative itinerary and payment structure will be announced in accordance with the trip timeline, generally six months in advance. At that time, students will have the option to register for the tour by filling out a form and making an initial financial deposit indicating their interest in participating in the trip. Students will then make scheduled payments throughout the year, with the final payment occurring just prior to the departure date. Profits from band sponsored fund-raisers that have accrued in student accounts will be used to make tour payments. Late cancellation of trip participation after payment(s) have been made will usually carry a penalty from the contracted travel company. Any refund of trip payments will have to be negotiated with the contracted travel company. A parent/student information meeting may be held approximately one week before departure to dispense final trip information and answer parent questions about the trip. A complete packet of information, including the detailed trip itinerary, rules, etc. will be distributed to all participants approximately ten days prior to departure.
ACCOUNTABILITY All students traveling with Century High School Bands will sign a travel contract that states they will comply with Century High School policies and NDHSAA rules and regulations set forth for Fine Arts activities. All members are required to abide by these rules and exhibit respect both in and out of performance. Irresponsibility in this area may result in a student being returned home from the trip at parental expense.
FUNDRAISING Each student who participates in band fundraising activities has access to their money through a personal account system. This system allows students to deposit fund-raised money into their band account through participation in fundraisers and make withdrawals in their name for use on band trip payments or band fees such as instrument rental or uniform fees. All money is deposited in the school district band activity account, and at all times is the property of the Century High School Band Program. Money cannot be withdrawn for cash or transferred to other students or family members. It may not be used by a graduating student or someone who withdraws from the band program. No refund of any fund raising monies will be made even in the event of a tour cancellation. That money will stay in the band account. Remember that when a person sells something for an organization, the people buying the products are intentionally helping the organization, not individuals within that organization.
TOUR REHEARSALS Because these trips often combine students from one or more of the bands at Century High School, participants will be required to attend a limited number of special rehearsals, outside of school prior to the trip departure date, to prepare for the trip. These rehearsals will be scheduled well in advance of the trip and attendance is required for trip participation.
TRANSPORTATION All trips will be by deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches equipped with restrooms. Some extended tours may involve either a charter or domestic air-carrier. In order to qualify for group hotel and airfare rates and keep all trip participants costs minimal, we must guarantee to the travel company an exact number of participants all flying and staying together as a group. Therefore, students will be unable to use frequent flyer discount programs to arrange their own air travel and/or hotel accommodations (for obvious supervision/liability purposes as well.)
CHAPERONE PROCEDURE In order for us to go on tour, it is necessary that we have enough chaperones to ensure the safety of the students involved. Priority is generally given along these guidelines: 1. A member of the medical profession. This is very important. It is a major safety factor to have someone with who is either a doctor or a nurse. 2. Teachers who are acquainted with a lot of the students. This helps with discipline and for the students to feel comfortable with the adults along. 3. Parents with experience chaperoning students or may have specific backgrounds that will enhance the tour for all concerned.
Whenever chaperones come on any band trip, they do not pay. Their expenses are factored into the student cost. Since chaperones are volunteering their time, working hard, and since we simply could not go on a tour without them, I feel very comfortable with this arrangement.
PAST TOUR DESTINATIONS 1976 – Philadelphia, PA 1977 – Portland, OR 1978 – Louisville, KY 1979 – Indianapolis, IN 1980 – Pasadena, CA 1981 – Buckhannon, WV 1982 – Portland OR 1983 – Philadelphia, PA and Washington, D.C. 1984 – Orlando, FL 1985 – Anaheim, CA 1986 – Vancouver, BC 1988 – Orlando, FL 1989 – Shakopee, MN 1991 – New Orleans, LA 1993 – New York, NY and Williamsburg, VA 1995 – San Antonio, TX 1997 – Williamsburg, VA and New York, NY 2000 – Williamsburg, VA and New York, NY 2001 – Boston, MA, New York, NY, and Washington, D.C. 2003 – San Antonio, TX 2005 – Boston, MA, New York, NY, and Washington, D.C. 2006 – San Antonio, TX 2008 – Boston, MA, New York, NY, and Washington, D.C. 2010 – Boston, MA, New York, NY, and Washington D.C. 2012 – Chicago, IL 2014 – Anaheim, CA 2016 – New York, NY 2018 – Orlando, FL and Nassau, Bahamas 2020 - Anaheim, CA 2022 - Orlando, FL 2024: Orlando, FL and Nassau, Bahamas