When is the Music Learning Spring Tour?

This year, the Spring Tour will be three full days and two nights from Saturday, March 13 - Monday, March 15, 2010.  Most schools have their Spring Break during the tour.

Where are we going?

This year we will go to the Galveston/Houston Area.  We will perform and spend time at Space Center Houston - home of NASA’s Mission Control, Moody Gardens - home of the Rainforest Pyramid, Aquarium Pyramid, IMAX movie theater, and Colonel Paddlewheeler Cruise, and Six Flags Over Texas.  In addition to performing at each venue, the tour participants will have time to tour Space Center Houston and Moody Gardens.  We will also take a relaxing tour around Galveston Bay on the Colonel Paddlewheeler. 

Who can come on the Spring Tour?

All Music Learning students, parents, grandparents, and siblings can attend the Spring Tour.  Every band member will perform throughout the tour.  Many families choose to take their entire family on the tour as a fun filled spring vacation.

How do we get there and where do we stay?

All trip participants will travel in chartered busses.  We hire a large, national bus company with an excellent safety record.  All drivers are full time bus operators.  The busses will remain with our group for the entire duration of the tour and are serviced each night. 

All the participants stay in the same all-suite hotel.  Our hotel will provide an all you can eat breakfast buffet every morning and wonderful, well furnished rooms every night.

Can a parent chaperone follow the busses in his or her own car?

This is Music Learning’s 25th Annual Tour.  Based on past experiences, we have found that the trip is the most positive experience for parents, students, and the Music Learning staff members when everyone rides the bus.  Many of the activities we attend have separate parking for busses and cars; when parents travel by car, they often become separated from the group causing them undo stress. 

My child is only in fourth grade, do many students his/her age go on this tour?

Absolutely!  Many students from all grade levels attend the Spring Tour.  Last year over 40% of the band students were in the fourth grade.

Are parents required to chaperone the Spring Tour?

This trip is very well chaperoned by the Music Learning Staff, official Tour Physician, and many parent chaperones.  While we do not require that any specific parents chaperone the tour with their child, we do encourage every parent to come.  Often times the most reluctant parents have the most fun on these tours.  Our typical trip student to chaperone ratio is less than 3:1.  Additionally we take numerous safety measures including two-way FCC licensed radio communication between the staff and background checks on all parent chaperones to insure each participant’s safety.  We have an official Tour Physician, a fully licensed medical doctor, who dispenses medication and handles any other minor bumps and bruises that could happen on the trip.

Wow, this trip sounds like so much fun with so many activities.  How much can all this cost?

Your, right - this trip is loads of fun jam packed with so many concerts and attractions, but it is offered at an affordable cost of only $348 per person if you sign up by January 23, 2010.  This trip cost increases to $388 per person after January 23, 2010.  All students, parents, siblings, and guests pay the same trip fee that includes everything from transportation to food and attraction admission and lodging.  All participants will also receive an official trip t-shirt and ID badge to wear during the trip.  These make great souvenirs back home.  Also, we have to point out that once your payment is received, we start planning for you to attend the trip, so all payments are non-refundable; no exceptions. 

How do I sign up?  The whole family wants to go!

Signing up is easy.  Simply fill out the four tour forms included in this packet and return them to the Music Learning Foundation Office as soon as possible, but no later than January 23, 2010.  Space is limited and your registration will be processed based on the order it is received.  Be sure to include your non-refundable trip payment of $348, or your trip deposit of $200 per person if you are signing up by January 23, 2010.  After that date, be sure to include your full trip fee of $388.  You can mail your completed forms to The Music Learning Foundation 201 Laurence Dr. PMB#500 Heath, TX 75032 or fax them to us at (972) 499-0832

Space is limited?  I guess I should send in my forms and payment soon, right?

Yes.

Where can I find out more information about the trip?  I still have a few specific questions. 

The best place to have your questions answered is through e-mail and the internet.  You can send an email to tour@musiclearning.org or check the Music Learning Foundation Website at www.musiclearning.org for more information.  You may also call our office at (972) 499 - 0831.  Option 9 will ring all of our office staff.

Anything else?

Don’t forget to practice all your music!  There will be a trip orientation meeting on March 6, 2010 during Saturday Band.  Put that date on your calendar today! Watch for more information about trip as soon as you’ve sent in your registration materials!