 Application process
My son has been selected from our high school as a potential candidate to participate. I was wondering if you could tell me how selection will be made.
Please know that this tour is especially advertised to selected schools and choral organizations of which we know that their programs are flourishing. Once students are endorsed by their choral director, and have a strong letter of reference, we will make every effort to accept them.
I am a member of an adult choir organization. Can I apply?
Yes. Although the festival is designed especially for students, we do accept adult singers, as well as singing choral directors.
When is the latest day to apply? (the application process is now closed)
The sooner the better. Although we still have opening in all voice parts, we may soon be able to accept only tenors and basses. As of September 15, we have accepted over 110 applications, so we suggest that the applications are mailed by October 15th to guarantee the acceptance.
What is the upper limit of students that will be accepted?
Up to 150 student and adult singers from the US will be accepted to the festival. There will be singers from the Czech Republic and Russia joining us as well.
 , preparation
Which spirituals will we be performing?
As the festival will be honoring Moses Hogan, most of the spirituals are his own arrangements, while few selected works are some of the important arrangements that had an influence on the work of Moses Hogan. Specific titles are listed under the UPDATE TAB above. We are very excited that Dr. Andre Thomas will be writing a new composition in honor of Moses Hogan as well. The work will be premiered in Prague and Dr. Thomas plans to be with us.
When will I get my music?
Music was sent to all participants in December, 2007.
Does every school, or choral organization have to send balanced quartets? What if only two sopranos from one high school, for instance, are recommended?
We encourage all directors to nominate as balanced quartets as their situation allows. Our first priority is to engage strong qualified singers regardless of their voice part. So, if those two sopranos are strong singers, we will do our best to accept them. In past, we successfully worked with the Charles University Choir in Prague and other excellent Czech choirs which will help us to achieve the desired balance if necessary.
When will you know the exact cost of the tour?
The ground cost was confirmed at $1,480 (plus airfare est. $1,315 and a travel insurance est. $20). Please note that the final balance will differ as the dollar declined in its value. Letters were sent to all participants with details.
Is there
different cost for non-singing family members?
The price for non-singing family members is the same as for singers. The family members will have all benefits of the tour. The only differences are that they will have more free time during rehearsals, and they will get free tickets to the concert.
Hotel
Where will we be accommodated in Prague?
We will be staying at HOTEL STEP. For more information on the hotel's fine facilities, address, and phone contact, please visit the hotel's website here.
Is there a surcharge for an air-conditioned room?
Most likely, an air-condition room will not be needed. In fact, most three star hotels in Prague do not have an air-condition. However, hotel Step has limited number of air-conditioned rooms, which will be available for an additional $250 per room for the duration of the festival as long as they are reserved ahead of time.
Can I stay in a single room?
Yes, single rooms are available for an additional $300 for the duration of the festival.
What is the required and recommended immunization for the Czech Republic?
In conjunction with the American Committee on Immunization Practices, no immunization is required. However, we recommend the following immunization:
- Tetanus booster given as Tdap (Tetanus, diptheria and acellular pertussis (whooping cough). This has been recommended every 10 years but since the pertussis has been added it is recommended for a 5 year update up to age 64. After age 64 the regular Td is still recommended every 10 years.
- Hepatitis A (the food born hepatitis) - since two shots are recommended 6 months apart consider it now to have enough time for the second. If you delay still get number 1 since it confers over 90% immunity.
- Hepatitis B is also a good idea. Most students have probably already received it.
- Other: malaria is no risk, rabies is only a rural concern and typhoid is a risk from street vendors but routine prophylaxis is not recommended.
Of course, people can check with their own doctor or explore the website: www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm and search the Czech Republic.
I currently have a passport which expires in August, 2008. Can I still use it in July?
No, your passport will need to be valid for at least six more months after the date you plan to leave the Czech Republic. You would not be allowed to enter the Czech Republic if you do not meet this condition.
Do I need a visa for the Czech Republic?
American citizens are currently not required to have a tourist visa for the Czech Republic.
Are parents of participating high school students required to travel as well?
No, parents are not required to travel, but our festival does make that option available to them. All participating high school students will be assigned chaperones for the whole length of the tour. There will be approximately 8-10 students per one chaperone.
Will high school students be allowed to have free time on their own without chaperones?
The festival is a prestigious event with high musical and educational goals. It is not a tour for tourists. Free time will be given at discretion of chaperones when the schedule allows. However, students under 18 will not be allowed to walk on their own in Prague, and particularly not at night. Curfew will be observed every day, so we can be ready for rehearsals and give our best at the concert.
Could you provide some thoughts as to the expectations and duties for the chaperones? Are they required to attend all the rehearsals? Are they allowed free time during the rehearsals? Are there any restrictions on drinking (socially, not excessively)?
Chaperones are an integral part of the group. They will be free whenever the group is rehearsing as long as they will be ready to be with their assigned group of students after the rehearsal is over, or as necessary.
Please note that in order to communicate efficiently, there will be daily morning briefings with the festival staff and all chaperones before breakfast.
Each festival participant will get a detailed schedule with expectations for the chaperones before the tour, indicating when there will be some free time. Clearly, chaperones will have more free time than students, particularly later at night and during the rehearsals.
Any students under 18 will not be allowed alcohol. This rule will be strictly enforced. Chaperones will not be restricted on social drinking.
How many non-singers can travel with the group?
We have about 10 chaperone positions available for friends and parents who want to travel along and help supervising the high school students. Other non singing adults may join the tour.
What is the concert attire in Prague?
Women - black formal dress, or black formal pants and a black formal blouse (black top and bottom), black stockings and shoes, skirt length below the knees. No sleeveless top, please. Short sleeves are ok.
Men - black formal pants and formal shoes, black socks, white formal shirt with long sleeves (no tuxedo collar) and a solid color neck tie (no bow tie, no tuxedos, no tails).
Will we have some free time? Can we party at night and spend some time in the city of Prague on our own?
Please understand that this project has an educational and artistic focus. It is an honor program for all participants. We are not a touring agency, and this trip is not just another tour. Many students will travel overseas for the first time and most will not have been in Prague before. Free time for all current high school students will therefore be limited. However, we also realize that some students may want to buy presents and visit places of their particular interest. We will make the best effort to accommodate those needs.
Will I be able to accumulate frequent flier miles on my trip to Prague?
Yes, you will be able to accumulate miles towards future flight as long as your frequent flier program is honored by airline which we will be using.
Would I be able to use frequent flier miles, which I already accumulated and thus reduce the cost of the trip to Prague?
For logistical reasons we require all participants to fly together. It is not possible to use frequent flier miles (fly for free) as a part of the group ticket.
Could you give us any ideas for fundraising?
The opportunities are limitless. From the last festival experiences we know that is is quite possible to fundraise successfully to cover the cost of the entire trip. Some of the fundraising ideas are listed below:
- Recital: present a small recital in your community and invite friends, family and community members. Ask for a donation towards the tour.
- Spaghetti dinner: Prepare a dinner for students, teachers, or community members and charge a $5-$10 fee.
- Bowl-o-thon: Organize a bowling night or a competition. Charge a $5-$10 fee to enter.
- Dance-a-thon: Organize a community dance or contest for a fee of $5.00-$10.00. The choir could also invite local dance teams.
- Car wash: Set up a car wash in the parking lot on campus, at a church, or public area. The choir would charge a small fee to spend a day or weekend washing cars.
- Leaf Raking/Snow Clearing: Students can volunteer to help rake leaves and clearing snow during the fall and winter months and ask donations for the services.
- Karaoke: Rent a karaoke machine, sell tickets or charge an admission fee, and sing all night.
- Auction: Have a group of choir members volunteer their work for the community members or other students at an auction night.
- Citrus/Wreath/Chocolate Sale.
- Frisbee Challenge or other sporting event: Charge a small entrance fee to organize various sport events.
- Dinner Dance Variety Show: This would be a major fundraising event where choir members would have a chance to show off their talents in a variety show, and serve dinner to paying customers. Performances can include dancing, singing, acting, and auction.
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Items to bring to Prague
