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DIRECTOR’S CHOICE | Travel + Performance Guide
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2018-19 RESOURCE GUIDE
TRAVEL + PERFORMANCE DISNEY© DONE RIGHT Our resident expert explains how to navigate your next Walt Disney trip and be a savvy park hopper.
MAKE EUROPE A REALITY See why Europe offers valuable life-souvenirs for performing students.
MOTIVATING KIDS AND COMMUNITY Director Stan Mauldin talks about changing the classroom culture and getting to Carnegie Hall.
What are they taking from it? A new two-year study reveals how travel actually affects students and their performance.
2018 - 19
T R AV E L + L E A R N + P E R F O R M
T R AV E L + L E A R N + P E R F O R M
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Editor’s Note EDITORIAL TEAM Stephanie Fox Editor-in-Chief Christopher Sanchez Designer Devyn Bracken
You may notice some changes in this year’s annual Travel and Performance Resource Guide-
Designer
changes that I hope are valuable to you as a performing arts educator and group travel leader.
Management Team
We’ve designed this book to be a year round resource for you both inside and outside of the classroom or studio. This guide is about more than travel. It’s about supporting and growing music
Jon Locke
education by bringing our community of friends, customers and fellow educators together. Inside
CEO + Owner
you will find articles, interviews and stunning visuals meant to challenge and inspire you.
Trey Caliva
To get the most out of this guide, ask yourself, what type of travel and performance experience
Director of Technology
you want for your group. How will this travel impact your students personally? How will the trip bond and shape your ensemble? What will students remember decades from now about the
Stephanie Fox
experience?
Director of Marketing I believe we travel, perform and teach to make a lasting impact on ourselves and others. We’ve Alan Hanna
kept this in mind not only as we designed this guide, but as we come alongside you to assist with
Director of Performance
customized travel and performance planning.
Stephanie McCall
Just as every performing arts group has a distinct personality, so does every destination. So,
Director of HR
we’ve made it easy to explore choices by arranging destinations based on the experience of the city. Additionally, you’ll find accompanying articles with an insider perspective to better evaluate
Zac Miller
choices for your kids.
Director of Sales I also want to give a special shout-out to our supplier partners. They are true extensions of the Marcie Truby
Director’s Choice family, sharing our values and our commitment to safety and fun for students.
Director of Operations
Notice the list of preferred attractions, restaurants and performance venues in each destination. This listing is designed to help you work with your travel consultant to customize an itinerary to
Affiliations
best fit your group’s timeframe, budget and travel goals.
American Bandmasters Assoc.
Finally, don’t miss the NEW Performance + Experiences booklet at the back of the guide. You’ll get
American Bus Assoc.
a bird’s eye view of each of our festival and concert options to help you decide what works for your
Disney Parks Recognized Youth
performance needs. A Director’s Choice festival runs like no other, and we hope this booklet gives
Travel Planner
you a sneak peek of what you can expect at the performance sites.
Student Youth Travel Assoc. Texas Bandmasters Assoc.
Enjoy the Travel and Performance Resource Guide, knowing that it’s been specially crafted with
Texas Choral Directors Assoc.
your needs in mind. Our hope is that it gives you some new insights and ideas allowing you to
Texas Music Educators Assoc.
dream a little bigger and go a little further with your program.
Texas Orchestra Directors Assoc.
Stephanie Fox Proud Supporter of The
Director of Marketing
Foundation for Music Education
1
Jim Rogers
Provide your students with the opportunity of a lifetime with a CUSTOMIZED CLINIC! Our incredible staff will provide a hands-on, personalized experience specifically designed to cater to the area of expertise your students require in the theatre business. Student groups also have the opportunity “ to perform live as our “OPENING ACT!” Then we invite your students to enjoy watching Clay Cooper’s Country Express with 24 entertainers on stage and a variety of music-old and new country, current hits, rock, and patriotic! Featuring songs from artists such as Bruno Mars, Prince, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Michael Jackson, and more! We’ll see you on stage soon in Branson, MO! Have Director’s Choice add us to your itinerary!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor’s Note.................................................................................1 Benefits of Student Travel............................................................4
PERFORMANCE KEY Use this key as you explore the Travel + Performance Guide to see where Director’s Choice Performance Events are held.
TEXAS ..........................................................................................6 Austin........................................................................................7 Dallas ........................................................................................8 Houston + Galveston ............................................................10 HISTORIC ..................................................................................12 Atlanta ....................................................................................13 St. Louis ..................................................................................14 Advocating Ethics, Creating the Standard..............................15 Boston ....................................................................................16 Washington D.C.....................................................................18 The Chamber Music Experience .............................................20 MUSICAL ...................................................................................22 Memphis + Nashville ............................................................23 Branson ..................................................................................24 New Orleans ..........................................................................28 Central Florida .......................................................................30 Disney Done Right ...................................................................32 Flying with Your Group ...........................................................34 Featured Destination: San Antonio ............................. 35-45 OUTDOORS ..............................................................................46 Pigeon Forge + Gatlinburg ...................................................47 Colorado Springs...................................................................48 URBAN ......................................................................................50 Indianapolis ...........................................................................51 New York ................................................................................52 Changing the Culture from the Inside Out .............................54 Southern California...............................................................56 San Francisco .........................................................................58 Seattle.....................................................................................59 Chicago ...................................................................................60 INTERNATIONAL.....................................................................62 Italy .........................................................................................63 Ireland ....................................................................................64 Montreal + Quebec ...............................................................65 United Kingdom ....................................................................66 Europe Offers Life-Souvenirs ..................................................67 COASTAL...................................................................................68 San Diego ...............................................................................69
NEW! EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE BOOKLET
Hawaii .....................................................................................70
TURN TO THE BACK OF THE GUIDE
Hawaii: The O’Hana Experience .............................................72 Corpus Christi ........................................................................74 South Padre Island................................................................76
3
BENEFITS OF STUDENT TRAVEL 1.2 Million Students Represented
YEAR LONG
STUDY
Did you know…. New data supports that student travel is more than just a good time - travel actually helps students improve their experience in the classroom. The Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) released the results of its two-year-long study that examines the student group-travel market, the first of its kind. According to
Increases willingness to know, learn and explore Increases confidence and independence More collaborative and sensible behavior Time out of the classroom and learning in a hands-on environment Adaptation to new situations
insight provided by SYTA research, student travel can have a number of benefits on a child. Children can not only gain social skills, but also comprehension skills as they work to
Improves classroom participation
retain the information learned on the trip. The results, drawn from over 2,140 responses representing 1.2 million students, illustrate the strength, impact, and preferences of the student travel industry. Overwhelmingly,
Improves test scores Improves self-esteem
teachers believe in the social impact of travel. In fact, 79% percent of teachers answered that they organize class travel in part to broaden students’ horizons, while more
Improves cultural awareness
than 50% reported that travel has a direct impact on understanding the curriculum and classroom performance.
Improves awareness of others
Interestingly, the U.S. is one of the only countries that does not build student travel into its academic calendar. Download the full report at: http://syta.org/why-travel-matters/research/
4
Changes students’ entire perspective
STRIKE THE RIGHT CHORD WITH
SOUND .
Bites .
Dallas is a city with many sides. That’s what makes it such a great place to visit. Admire towering beasts and the Giant Gems of the Smithsonian in the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Then explore history at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, or take in panoramic views from the GeO-Deck at the top of Reunion Tower. Finally, catch an unforgettable show at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, home to concerts, musicals, dance and more. Whether you’re discovering history or watching as it’s made on stage, Dallas always strikes the right chord.
PICTURED: CASTRO LOCATION: PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
r w ld c ng y rs
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TEXAS Deep in the Heart of
6
MUSIC ACROSS TEXAS
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Joe’s Crab Shack Lonestar Riverboat Cruise Stubb’s BBQ Buffet
EXPLORE Austin Duck Adventures Chaparral Ice Skating Congress Avenue Bridge Zilker Park
LEARN
PERFORMANCE OF RECORD
AUSTIN
Known as the live music capital of the world, Austin’s vibrant entertainment and cultural landscape makes it one of the most inspiring cities to visit. From food, to arts and music, Austin is a premier destination for anyone and everyone.
Austin Nature & Science Center Blanton Museum of Art Country Music Hall of Fame LBJ Presidential Library Texas Memorial Museum Texas State Capitol Tour
Perform Klett Center for the Performing Arts Main Event Entertainment
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 7
RESTAURANTS Blue Mesa Grill Buca di Beppo Campisi’s Restaurant Hard Rock Cafe Joe’s Crab Shack Rainforest Cafe
DALLAS
Dallas offers a unique blend of experiences. Southwestern warmth pairs with cosmopolitan flair. Old West charm meets modern sophistication. Also, education and entertainment go hand-in-hand. Thrill-seekers can conquer Six Flags Over Texas and then take a breather in one of the area’s many museums.
EXPLORE Cowboys Stadium Tour Dallas Arboretum Dallas Arts District Dallas Galleria Medieval Times Reunion Tower Observation Deck Six Flags Over Texas SpeedZone Texas Rangers Game
LEARN Dallas Aquarium Dallas Museum of Art Dallas Symphony Orchestra Meyerson Symphony Center Tour Perot Museum of Nature & Science The Sixth Floor Museum
Perform iT’Z Family Food and Fun Mesquite Arts Center UNT Murchison PAC Six Flags Over Texas The Eisemann Center + many more!
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel West End 8
MUSIC ACROSS TEXAS PERFORMANCE OF RECORD
Dallas Arboretum
The Sixth Floor Museum
Six Flags Over Texas
SHOWCASE OF MUSIC
Dallas Skyline
UNT Murchison PAC
9
HOUSTON+Galveston
Nicknamed “Space City,” Houston is truly out of this world. One of the largest cities in the US, Houston offers an array of activities from the beaches of Galveston, to museums and galleries, to roller coasters and rockets. Houston is a big city with big Texas fun!
RESTAURANTS Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Landry’s Seafood House Lighthouse Buffet Rainforest Cafe Spaghetti Warehouse
EXPLORE ComedySportz Improv Show Houston Astros Baseball Houston Grand Opera Kemah Boardwalk Pleasure Pier
LEARN Downtown Aquarium Houston Zoo Moody Gardens Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Natural Science Space Center Houston
Perform iT’Z Family Food and Fun Moores Opera House Schlitterbahn Galveston St. Paul’s United Methodist Church The Woodlands United Methodist Church + many more!
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 10
Pleasure Pier at Galveston Island
SCHOLASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC ACROSS TEXAS
Drone View of Houston
Space Center
Moody Gardens
Kemah Boardwalk
Moores Opera House
11
HISTORIC America Suspended in Time
12
ATLANTA
Experience the warmth, vibrancy, and zest of a truly Southern city. Georgia has barbecue and tunes, and Atlanta is the perfect place to find them. Let the friendly faces of this buzzing city welcome your group and show them around amazing museums that show off the city’s historic clout.
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Mary Mac’s Tea Room Medieval Times The Varsity
EXPLORE Atlanta Braves Baseball Centennial Olympic Park Fox Theatre Georgia Aquarium Six Flags Over Georgia Skyview Georgia Stone Mountain Park
LEARN Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Center for Civil & Human Rights College Football Hall of Fame Delta Flight Museum High Museum of Art Inside CNN Studio Tour World of Coca-Cola Tour
Perform Six Flags Over Georgia Stone Mountain Park
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 13
Advocating Ethics, creating the standard by Jon Locke
Being ethical in business is the highest guiding principle of Director’s Choice. In fact, it’s the reason I started the company over 21 years ago. As a travelling band director, I wanted more for my students and more for the money they and their families raised. This is what being ethical is about. It was important for me to be accountable to my students and their families. I felt I owed my students more than the mediocre travel and festival experiences offered to us at that time.
We all have the responsibility to keep our students and travel funds safe. I believe performing arts educators should do their due diligence and utilize the unbiased travel and performance resources of SYTA, including its vetted suppliers and tour operators. SYTA and its members, like Director’s Choice, are shaping the future of student group travel. Safe and ethical industry standards are important to me as a tour operator, a former educator and a father.
As the owner and CEO of Director’s Choice, I believe being ethical means doing what’s right. As a company, we are entrusted to be honest and vigilant in providing a valuepacked service to the directors we serve so they, in turn, can serve their students. Although I loved being in the classroom prior to starting Director’s Choice because I could see the impact on kids first hand, I remain committed to offering each student a positive travel and performance experience as if they were mine.
Safe and ethical industry standards are important to me as a tour operator, a former educator and a father. Coincidentally, our first year as a company was the same year the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA) was created. SYTA promotes the value of travel, advocates safety, monitors travel regulations which might affect
SYTA 2017-2018 Board of Directors
So, I want to do my part to raise the bar on what is acceptable in the student youth travel industry. That’s why I have committed to serve on the SYTA Board of Directors through August 2019. I am hopeful that in this leadership capacity I can continue to promote positive changes making safe travel with ethical tour operators accessible to all students. Whether a director travels with Director’s Choice or not, above all, I want students to be well cared for so they can experience the trip of a lifetime. Student Youth and Travel Association is a non-profit professional trade association that promotes student and youth travel. It seeks to foster integrity and professionalism in many student and youth travel service providers.
student groups, and elevates the importance of ethical and professional business practices. The criteria to become an active member in SYTA was directly in alignment with the
Jon is a former band director and fierce advocate of
founding principles of Director’s Choice, so we joined SYTA
music education. His priority is always taking care of
all those years ago.
people, both personally and professionally. In his 20+ years in the student travel industry, he has positively impacted thousands of students and directors.
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St. LOUIS
The “Gateway to the West” could be your student’s gateway to discovery, just like it was for Lewis and Clark. Paddle-wheel boats on the river with views of the Arch, and learn about the United States’ expansion west. Barbecue, blues, and baseball await!
RESTAURANTS Ballpark Village Gateway Arch Dinner Cruise Hard Rock Cafe Joe’s Crab Shack Landry’s Seafood House Old Spaghetti Factory City Museum Pizza Buffet
EXPLORE Ballpark Village Butterfly House Gateway Arch Sightseeing Cruise Grant’s Farm Old Courthouse Landmark Six Flags St. Louis St. Louis Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Galleria St. Louis Zoo Swing-A-Round Fun Town
LEARN Busch Stadium Tour City Museum National Blues Museum St. Louis Science Center and OMNIMAX St. Louis Symphony
Perform Six Flags St. Louis
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 15
BOSTON
One of the most historically rich cities in the United States, Boston is a time-travelling adventure! Walk through history in Boston’s impressive period-specific museums, or dazzle your students with art from across the centuries.
RESTAURANTS Bertucci’s Faneuil Hall Restaurants Fire and Ice Grill Hard Rock Cafe Legal Sea Food Maggiano’s Little Italy Plimoth Plantation Spirit of Boston Dinner Cruise
EXPLORE Blue Man Group Boston Red Sox Baseball Faneuil Hall Historic Boston Sightseeing Cruise John F. Kennedy Presidential Library New England Aquarium Plimouth Plantation & Mayflower II Shear Madness at Charles Playhouse
LEARN Boston Duck Tour Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Edward M. Kennedy Institute Fenway Park Tour Freedom Trail Guided Tour Ghosts & Gravestones Tour Harvard Natural History Museum Liberty Ride Step-On Guide Tour MIT Museum Museum of Fine Arts Boston Museum of Science Salem Witch Museum USS Constitution Museum
Perform Symphony Hall The Offstage Group
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 16
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MAKE YOUR GROUP’S PERFORMANCE A HISTORIC EVENT! The National WWII Museum is ranked by TripAdvisor as the #1 attraction in New Orleans and the #2 museum in the world. Now your school band or choral group has the historic opportunity to perform on the Museum’s beautiful new Founders Plaza. Call 877-813-3329 x 222 today to arrange your group visit!
#2 Museum in the World #2 Museum in the United States #1 Attraction in New Orleans
945 MAGAZINE STREEET, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130-3813 877-813-3329 x 222 | NATIONALWW2MUSEUM.ORG/GROUPS
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Carmine’s Fuel Pizza & Wings Hard Rock Cafe Spirit of Washington Dinner Cruise Theismann’s Restaurant
EXPLORE Annapolis Harbor & US Naval Academy Cruise Night Tour of Washington Madame Tussauds Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens Potomac Riverboat Cruise Shear Madness at Kennedy Center Six Flags America The Capital Wheel and The Carousel at National Harbor
LEARN Arlington National Cemetery Tour Civil War Tour of Annapolis Ghost Tour of Old Alexandria International Spy Museum John F. Kennedy Center Tour National Museum of the Marine Corps. Newseum National Symphony Orchestra Smithsonian Museums
Washington D.C.
Show your students the home of our democracy, the nation’s capital. Experience the story of our history with tours, museums, great performance venues, and green parks.
Perform Hylton Performing Arts Center National Park Public Performance Washington National Cathedral
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 18
Washington National Cathedral
Lincoln Memorial
The Capital Wheel
Berlin Wall Exhibit at the Newseum
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
Washington Monument
19
The chamber Music Experience featuring Gary Lewis hosted by David Biel
This past August, we caught up with Gary Lewis for a one-
should be focusing on, equipping our students with the
on-one discussion that led us from teaching chamber music
skills necessary to access and appreciate great music and
to creating musicians who are poised to grow beyond us.
perform great music for a lifetime.
Gary sits on the Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Music Education, and agreed to a chat with Beyond the Clef
Those skills, when they’re taken together, are what we
podcast host and educator David Biel. Check out this excerpt
call musicianship, and then the idea about chamber
from their visit, and see the impact Gary’s talent and passion
music being the best way to learn that because it requires
are making in our industry, especially in the lives of those
increased awareness and communication. It requires
students fortunate enough to learn from him.
greater ownership. Everybody has to understand the score and the process of bringing it to life because there’s not
David: A lot of the things that I’ve been talking about with
somebody there hovering over them, telling them what to
people lately have involved chamber music programs. How
do. It requires greater listening skills, for sure, and greater
significant is learning chamber music to both the musician
analytical skills. It fosters leadership, musical leadership
and the program?
and negotiating skills.
Gary: I think we have to back up even a step before that
David: That’s interesting. Tell me more about what
and say, what is our overarching goal as music educators?
develops these musical skills.
What are we trying to give to our students and shouldn’t it be to equip our students with the skills necessary to carry
Gary: How do you get along with other people and how do
on without us? I remember one of my mentors here at
you negotiate this. Do we want to slow down here? Do we
Texas Tech University, Alan Shinn, who was on the faculty
want to speed up? Just beyond that, interpersonal skills are
when I was a graduate student. He said our job as teachers
even more at play in a chamber music setting. And then it
is to put ourselves out of business, so to speak, so that
just provides a more subtle and more intimate setting for
our students then transcend our own program and our
music making. So for all those reasons, I think it is the best
own abilities and grow beyond us. I think that’s what we
way to developing these musical skills. David: So, the question becomes how, given the fact that we have limited resources and time, can we teach and foster that same musical growth and those same skills in a large ensemble setting? Gary: I think the key is to treat the large ensemble more like a chamber ensemble. It has to do with a lot of different things. Making the musicians more aware of each other because all great music stems from increased awareness. So we make them aware of each other so they’re not just a part of a horde of clarinet players or a gaggle of violas.
20
David: That’s really fascinating because I recently had
beat, we’re equipping them with the skills to communicate.
Dana Pradervand on the program, and one of the things
Groups will always play better together, better in tune, with
that we were talking about is leadership and her chamber
better balance, if the musicians are aware of each other
music program. What happens if you let go of some of that
just as much as they are aware of us.
ownership and dictating to the kids? David: It sounds like you are empowering your students.
There’s a difference between hearing and listening. Listening implies something that’s focused and that’s directed.
How has that affected the sound of your ensemble and your teaching in the program? Gary: I think it helps it to grow exponentially faster because the students are aware of their responsibility within the group. I remember the book by Stephen Covey, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” It was a really influential book 20 or 30 years ago. I’ll never forget one of the ideas;
Gary: We have to equip them with the skills. We can’t just
the premise in it was responsibility. He actually spelled
say, “Make a great sound.” We have to teach them how
the word “response-ability.” So giving people the ability to
to do that. We have to give them the technical knowledge
respond to their environment. I think as music educators,
and understanding and all that. But as we’re doing that,
that’s largely what we need to be doing. We should be
I think we also need to introduce opportunities for them
creating people who are going to grow beyond us. We’re
to express themselves, to communicate better with
creating independent musicians that can be responsible
musicians instead of relying on us for everything. The more
for their own selves. So giving our students the ability to
we’re dictating that, once we’ve given them the skills and
respond to what’s around them is this whole idea.
manipulating that all the time, they never really grow. Watch or listen to the entire interview at There’s a phrase that I use often, “we hear with our
www.beyondtheclef.com
eyes.” In fact, there’s a difference between hearing and listening. You can hear that there’s a buzz in the HVAC
David Biel is the Director of Bands at Heritage Middle
system, but if you really focus, it becomes something much
School in Lubbock, TX. David is in his 9th year of
greater. Listening implies something that’s focused and
teaching and his fifth as the Director of Bands. He
that’s directed. That’s another way of making your large
brings his teaching experience and insights to hosting
ensemble like a chamber music experience. Focus their
and seeking new, inspiring guests for Beyond the Clef.
listening to a certain thing. We’re listening for this color here. We’re listening for the pulse over here. We’re listening
Gary Lewis is currently the Director of Orchestral
for balance here. And so you’re directing their ears in a way
Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. He
they’re listening, in a way that makes it much more focused
serves as the Music Director of the Midland-Odessa
and much more helpful. Rather than making everything
Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Guest
come through us and through our conducting and our
Conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. 21
MUSICAL Be inspired and delighted
22
MEMPHIS+NASHVILLE
“Music City” has more venues than anyone could see in one trip, but that doesn’t mean you and your music makers can’t try! Famous for its blues, soul and rock-n-roll influences, Memphis is a must-see. Be sure to include all the Tennessee legends, landmarks and great BBQ in your itinerary.
RESTAURANTS Alfred’s on Beale B.B. King’s Blues Club Corky’s Ribs & BBQ Hard Rock Cafe Memphis Queen BBQ Dinner Cruise Spaghetti Warehouse Wildhorse Saloon
EXPLORE Country Music Hall of Fame General Jackson Showboat Cruise and Show Madame Tussauds Memphis Zoo Nashville Ghost Tours Nashville Zoo
LEARN Carnton Plantation Tour Fontanel Mansion Tour Graceland & Elvis Experience Tours Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour National Civil Rights Museum Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum Stax Museum of American Soul Music Sun Studio Tour The Hermitage
Perform Country Music Hall of Fame Graceland Plaza Grand Ole Opry
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 23
BRANSON
Branson has a variety of LIVE music, amusement parks, and great home cookin’. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, this centrally located resort has grown and diversified to offer family friendly entertainment for all ages.
RESTAURANTS Dixie Stampede Dinner + Show Fall Creek Steak & Catfish House Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano Golden Corral Lambert’s Cafe Mel’s Hard Luck Diner McFarlain’s Pickin Porch Grill Shorty Small’s Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Cruise The Great American Steak & Chicken House
EXPLORE Branson Ferris Wheel Branson Landing Clay Cooper’s Country Express Fritz’s Adventure Legends In Concert Ride the Ducks Silver Dollar City The Haygoods The SIX Show The Track Family Fun Park
LEARN Titanic Museum & Murder Mystery
Perform Branson On Stage Live Group Clinic at Clay Cooper’s Country Express
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 24
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
Titanic Museum
Clay Cooper’s Country Express
The Haygoods
Public Student Performance
Showboat Branson Belle
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Wildlife Tram Tours
10,000 ACRES WAITING TO BE EXPLORED
Horseback Riding
G
et ready for an adventure in the Ozarks you will never forget! At Dogwood Canyon Nature Park you can experience countless activities ranging from a journey through the canyon on a wildlife tram tour to an educational expedition at the Nature and Conservation Center. You can even explore the tree tops inside a treehouse built by Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters. Before or after exploring the canyon you can enjoy a tasty lunch at the Chuckwagon Site while taking in the beautiful surrounding views. Call or visit the website to start planning your adventure in the Ozarks!
Treehouse built by Treehouse Masters
Horseback Rides | Wildlife Tram Tours | Dining Biking | Segway Tours | Trout Fishing | Hiking Kids’ Adventure Club 800-225-6343 dogwoodcanyon.org
Fishing
Play The Top Venues IN THE
FASTEST GROWING STUDENT PERFORMANCE DESTINATION! BRANSON, MISSOURI
One Of The World’s Top Theme Parks, Where Student Performance Takes Center Stage!
America’s Most Entertaining Dinner Cruise—Perfect For Students!
Perform on Dolly’s own stage, in-the-round, before Branson’s greatest crowds. Band, dance and choral lifetime memories made in Branson’s top venues, brought to you by Director’s Choice. Book now!
www.directorschoice.travel/destinations/branson 877.328.2583
RESTAURANTS Bistreaux at the Bank Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Creole Queen Dinner Cruise Hard Rock Cafe Parkway Bakery & Tavern
EXPLORE Aquarium of the Americas Audubon IMAX and Zoo Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour French Quarter Mardi Gras World
LEARN Destrehan Plantation French Quarter Tour Haunted History Tour Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra National World War II Museum Oak Alley Plantation Preservation Hall Private Concert
NEW ORLEANS
Wander through the cobblestone streets of the historic French Quarter, visit the museums, restaurants and attractions that dot New Orleans. Enjoy all that is grand and fun about this Southern jewel.
Perform Jefferson Performing Arts Center National World War II Museum Washington Artillery Park Woldenberg Park Performance
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directorschoice.travel 28
Mardi Gras Float
SCHOLASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Oak Alley Plantation
Aquarium of the Americas
Jambalaya
French Quarter Performer
Cajun Swamp Tours
29
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Whether you are looking for a magical performance or seeking the thrill of the theme park or both, Central Florida is a great travel choice! Check out all the options to perform and play in the Florida sunshine.
RESTAURANTS Beach Barbecue at Cocoa Beach Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Medieval Times Planet Hollywood T-Rex Cafe
EXPLORE Blue Man Group Cocoa Beach Disney Springs® Walt Disney World® Resort I-Drive 360 SeaWorld Universal CityWalk The Hub Kissimmee Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
LEARN
Disney Youth Education Series Programs Kennedy Space Center
Perform Festival Disney Disney Performing Arts Performances at Epcot® Disney Performing Arts Workshops The Stars Performance Program
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Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Orlando
Disney Performing Arts Performances at Epcot®
Disney Performing Arts Performances at Walt Disney World® Resort
Kennedy Space Center
Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Blue Man Group
31
Disney Done Right by Amanda Knight
Disney in Central Florida is one of the most magical,
property hotels just minutes away from Disney. Of course,
memorable trips you can take, especially for student
you can coach to Orlando and stay on-property, but with
groups! But, before you begin planning your itinerary, I
the rising cost of fuel, staying off-property when busing is a
want to share my best advice about how to do Disney right
smart money saving option.
for you, your group, your schedule and your budget.
SHould I stay on-property or off-property?
What kind of park ticket do I purchase? There are three types of tickets available to student youth
Two things will help us answer this question: budget and
groups: the Base Ticket, the Park Hopper, and the Premium
mode of transporation.
Ticket. Most groups opt for the Park Hopper or Base Ticket.
On-Property
Base Ticket
If you’re flying to Orlando, your best bet will be to stay on-
A Base Ticket means that you can come and go from only
property at Disney to take advantage of Disney’s Magical
one park as many times as you want during that day. For
Express, which is the complimentary transportation to and
example, you scan your ticket at 9 a.m. to go to Epcot, but
from the Orlando International Airport. Note, however,
then at lunch, you decide that you want to head over to
that the Magical Express does NOT run from the Sanford
Disney Springs for a meal and shopping. This means you
International Airport.
can only return to Epcot and couldn’t go to Magic Kingdom since you already scanned your ticket at Epcot. A Base
If you stay on-property, and use the Magical Express, the
Ticket is easiest on the budget, and best if you need to keep
only need for motor coach while in Orlando will be for any
a closer tab on your students or have limited chaperones.
workshop or performance opportunities and/or transfers to off-property locations such as Universal Studios, the Orlando Eye, etc. Staying on Disney property is a great option for groups looking for convenience and ease. Another perk to staying on-property is Extra Magic Hours. Select parks on select days will either open early or stay open late for those who are staying on Disney property. Your Magic Band, which serves as your room key throughout your stay, will also be your way to get on the rides during Extra Magic Hours. Don’t leave your room
Park Hopper
without it! Lastly, transportation to and from Disney parks is
The Park Hopper gives you more options and flexibility.
complimentary from all Disney resorts.
It allows you to change your plan after lunch and head to Magic Kingdom, even though you visited Epcot that
Off-Property
morning. The Park Hopper allows you access to all 4 main
If your group is taking motor coaches to Orlando, it may
theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood
make sense for you to stay off-property. Since you’re
Studios, and Epcot) multiple times during the day. You can
already paying for coaches for your entire trip, you can
go whenever, wherever you want. If you can “hop” between
save money by staying at one of the many beautiful off-
parks at least twice during your stay, then this ticket will be a benefit for you.
32
Remember those Extra Magic Hours I told you about
at least a 3-Day ticket purchase. Disney Performing Arts
earlier? A Park Hopper allows you to really take advantage
On Stage and Workshop both offer a 2-Day ticket, but it’s a
of this perk. For instance, if the Magic Kingdom has early
Base Ticket and only a Base Ticket. We have an entire staff
entry at 8:00 a.m. for Disney Resort guests and you enter
of Disney aficionados to walk you through the best options!
the park at 8:00 a.m. and then realize around lunchtime that the park is really crowded (which tends to be the case
meal voucher vs. no meal voucher
with Extra Magic Hours), a Park Hopper allows you to leave
Lastly, we have to talk about food. No trip is magical or
that park and go to a less crowded park.
truly memorable without it! If you stay on-property, you will need to purchase breakfast vouchers, which give
Premium Ticket
your students variety and choice at the resort food court.
Wanna make a splash? The Premium Ticket option is a
There is also at least one location in each park where the
fantastic choice if you want to experience Disney’s Typhoon
breakfast vouchers can be used. For example, if a group
Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.
has an early workshop and the group would rather eat
If you have the time and inclination, the Premium Ticket
later, they can use the breakfast vouchers when they get to
allows your students to not only visit the four traditional
the park.
Disney parks, but these two additional water parks overflowing with thrill rides, wave pools, and snorkeling.
For lunch and dinner, Disney offers meal coupons. These are valid at many locations in each park as well as at Resort
Now, which one is right for your group?
food courts, which is perfect for ride fanatics who may skip
Only you can determine that, and in my 11 years with
dinner in the park and want to eat back at the resort.
Director’s Choice, I’ve seen them all. Buying a Base Ticket has often been referenced as an easy way to keep kiddos
As a tour director, a few years ago, I compared buying
all in the same park, but the Park Hopper Ticket will allow
meals with cash versus using a voucher. They weren’t
them to see more during their trip. There are labeled,
even close. The meal voucher gets you an entrée, drink,
easy-to-use coaches that run between the parks. If you are
and dessert, and the portions are very generous. I highly
priviledged to have a long stay, it’s best to take advantage
recommend meal vouchers if you want all meals covered
of the Premium Ticket.
for your group. It eliminates the need for students to calculate and carry cash and ensure your kids stay properly
Performance Options and Tickets
fed.
Speaking of tickets, let’s talk briefly about the different performance options and how they relate to tickets.
To wrap up, a trip to Disney World is perfect for a student
For performing student groups, consider the Disney
group. They’ll make unforgettable memories and Disney
Performing Arts On Stage ticket, the Disney Performing
definitely knows how to take care of people. It’s an ever-
Arts Workshop ticket, the Festival Disney ticket, and the
changing destination that is easy to fall in love with!
general Disney admission ticket. A Director’s Choice travel consultant will be happy to talk with you more about ticket choices to help you choose the best option for your group. Put simply, if you perform, your ticket is reduced in cost. Just remember, in order to park-hop, your ticket must be
Amanda has a penchant for magic, especially when you need a spell for coordinating thousands of traveling students. She’s been doing it for 11 years! She loves Branson, Missouri and gummy bears almost as much as her daughter, Lily Kate. 33
Prepare for take-off: flying with your group Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the entire Director’s Choice
UTILIZATION DATE
crew, welcome aboard. We are offering non-stop service and
You may hold seats for some time before you must provide
all you need to know about flying with your student group.
passenger names to the airline, giving you the opportunity to keep recruiting group participants. Also, after booking,
Planning to travel by air, as a group, does take some
airfare seats can be added as needed; however, the ticket
planning and organization. It’s often more costly than
cost and flight schedule might not be the same. But, at 120
motorcoach transportation, but saves you time, allowing
days before your departure, you hit what the airlines call
for more sightseeing and exploration at your destination.
the “utilization date.” This is the last day you can cancel or reduce space without fear of being penalized. Seats that
Most complex group travel planning should begin at 12 to 18 months before your departure date. You will need
are canceled after this date may incur the full cost.
this time to plan an itinerary, get student, parent and
TICKETING
administrative buy-in, and fundraise. The earlier you get
At 60 to 90 days out, it’s time to finalize the group and
approval and deposits, the earlier we can secure group air.
issue tickets. This means your final balance is due and final
ESTIMATED AIR
passenger names and information must be submitted to the airlines.
Airlines will release actual airfare pricing and schedules anywhere from 6 to 11 months out. We want to be
The following information is required for each participant
prepared to deposit and purchase at this time, getting
for all carriers: full name (first, middle, last), date of birth,
you the best seats at the best price. That’s why we suggest
and gender
planning 12 to 18 months out. Working ahead, we provide an air estimate to you that is averaged out based upon
Submitting passenger information is an extremely
recent requests to/from your location to the destination
important step; you want to triple check to make sure the
and your travel dates. It’s important to understand this is
names are as they appear on passenger identification.
an estimate only. We do our best not to underestimate.
Any changes to your flight names can be submitted up
There is nothing worse than getting trip commitments
to 72 hours from flight departure. Once ticketed, any full
based on a lowball price only to ask for more funds when
name changes can incur up to a $200 fee and any spelling
the real air price becomes available.
changes can incur up to a $50 fee per the carrier.
Be prepared to make a $100 deposit per seat to reserve the
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
airfare. Once we receive your deposit our Transportation
Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid
Coordinator will contact all available carriers to send
identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.
the best price and schedule. This information will be
Get to the airport early, give yourself plenty of time to park,
communicated to you in writing and by phone so you can
check in, and go through security. Check your bag, and
decide if it will work for your group or not. If you do not
know the liquids rule for carry ons.
accept the options presented, your deposit is refundable. Luggage fees are not included in the pricing, and are not available to be prepaid to the airlines.
34
SAN ANTONIO Featured Destination
35
PERFORM IN SAN ANTONIO AND BECOME A STUDENT OF HISTORY AND CULTURE In legendary San Antonio, history and culture provide a remarkable backdrop to modern attractions. From its River Walk and UNESCO World Heritage Spanish Colonial Missions to SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the celebrated Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, young scholars have the unique opportunity to experience the old and the new – all in one visit. It’s what makes San Antonio a spotlight destination or the artist in all of us.
©2017 Visit San Antonio
Plan your trip at VisitSanAntonio.com
When curiosity meets conservation.
OPEN YEAR ROUND
SAZOO.ORG
OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR!
SPECIAL TOUR OPERATOR RATES
FOR UP TO 3 UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS!
301 Alamo Plaza, Corner of Alamo Plaza & Crockett Street 201-224-9299 | Ripleys.com/SanAntonio ©Ripley Entertainment Inc.
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t s r i f s ’ d l wor single rail c o as t e r 18! NEW IN 20
BE A SUPERHERO!
CONTACT YOUR DIRECTOR’S CHOICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPECIAL RATES!
SIXFLAGS.COM/SCHOOLS2 JUSTICE LEAGUE and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC Comics. (s17)
RESTAURANTS Alamo Cafe Cafe Ole Dave & Buster’s Gristmill River Restaurant Hard Rock Cafe Joe’s Crab Shack Lone Star Cafe Los Barrios Magic Time Machine Margaritaville Michelino’s Magnolia Pancake House Rainforest Cafe Spaghetti Warehouse
EXPLORE Double Decker Bus City Tour Guiness World Record Museums Natural Bridge Caverns Ripley’s Haunted Adventure San Antonio Riverboat Cruise San Antonio Zoo Tejas Rodeo The Amazing Mirror Maze Tower of The Americas Observation Deck The Alamo Wax Works
LEARN Battle for Texas San Antonio Missions National Historical Park San Antonio Symphony The Buckhorn Museum Tour
Perform Lila Cockrell Theater Main Event Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Six Flags Fiesta Texas Tobin Center for the Performing Arts + many more! 40
sAN ANTONIO
San Antonio captures the spirit of Texas. It’s a modern city whose heritage, culture, tradition, and natural beauty combine into a unique blend that attracts extraordinary adventures.
MUSIC ACROSS TEXAS SHOWCASE OF MUSIC
The Alamo
River Walk
Tobin Center for Performing Arts
SeaWorld
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
41
DALLAS | 2211 N HOUSTON ST | +1-469-341-7625 x8116 HOUSTON | 502 TEXAS AVENUE | +1-713-227-1392 SAN ANTONIO | 111 W CROCKETT ST | +1-210-800-8248
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On A Whole New Level.
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Imagine a place that towers overhead, even though it’s deep underground. A place filled with delicate formations of solid stone formed by single splashes of water. A place that’s eons old, but feels brand new every time you see it. From giant chambers that echo with mystery to passages with discovery around every bend, come see what makes Natural Bridge Caverns… Naturally AMAZING.
BROCHURES BROCHURES & MORE & MORE
NaturalBridgeCaverns.com • 210-651-6101
2018 ADJUDICATORS
BC_Directors_Choice_Quarter_Page_2017_ad_v1.indd 1
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NATIONAL
WIND BAND•CHORAL•ORCHESTRA•JAZZ•PERCUSSION
HONORS
Mark of Excellence
Shelly Berg
Frost School of Music University of Miami National Jazz Honors
Janet Galvan
Ithaca College National Choral Honors
Robert M. Carnochan
Frost School of Music University of Miami National Wind Band Honors
Mark Laycock
Wichita State University National Orchestra Honors
Lalo Davila
Middle Tennessee State University National Percussion Ensemble Honors
Gary Lewis
University of Colorado - Boulder National Orchestra Honors
For more information on the 2018 Mark of Excellence, please visit www.foundationformusiceducation.org/mark-of-excellence
Richard Floyd
Texas State Director of Music Emeritus National Wind Band Honors
John L. Whitwell
Michigan State University National Wind Band Honors
Don Wilcox
West Virginia University Citation of Excellence
OUTDOORS Breathe in the Great
46
PIGEON FORGE+Gatlinburg
The Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventure and cozy hospitality. A visit to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg showcases American beauty and artistry. Hiking, waterfalls, local shops and adventure parks all await in this hidden mountain destination.
RESTAURANTS Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show Hard Rock Cafe Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Joe’s Crab Shack Margaritaville
EXPLORE Country Tonite Show Dollywood Hollywood Wax Museum Outdoor Gravity Park Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies The Island in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountain Rafting The Track Family Recreation Center
LEARN Alcatraz East Crime Museum Titanic Museum
Perform Country Tonite Pre-Show Performance
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directorschoice.travel Smoky Mountain River Ride at Dollywood
47
Colorado Springs
Discover more than 50 exciting and unique attractions in Colorado Springs. Brimming with lakes and mountains, this is the pinnacle of outdoor experiences. Rejuvenate and inspire your students in this northwestern paradise.
RESTAURANTS Fargo’s Pizza M Lazy C Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Mason Jar Phantom Canyon BBQ Buffet Rudy’s BBQ
EXPLORE Broadmoor Seven Falls Cave of the Winds Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Pikes Peak Cog Railway Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Manitou Springs Old Colorado City Springs Climbing Center
LEARN Colorado Springs Philharmonic Garden of the Gods U.S. Olympic Training Center U.S. Air Force Academy
Perform Pikes Peak Center Royal Gorge Bridge and Park U.S. Air Force Academy
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Garden of the Gods
SCHOLASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Pikes Peak
Olympic Training Center
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Pikes Peak Center
Cave of the Winds
49
URBAN Dream in Sleepless Cities
50
Indianapolis
St. LOUIS
Home of the Indy 500, your group’s Indianapolis trip will zoom by before you realize it! White River State Park and its amazing zoo will thrill you, while this easy-going Midwest city sweeps you off your feet.
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Old Spaghetti Factory
EXPLORE Indianapolis Museum of Art Indianapolis Speedway Tour Indianapolis Zoo
LEARN Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Eiteljorg Museum Indiana Statehouse Tour Indiana War Memorial Museum Rhythm! Discovery Center
Perform Bands of America Grand Nationals Music for All National Festival
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RESTAURANTS Apple Metro Buca di Beppo Carmine’s Cucina & Co. Italian Buffet Ellen’s Stardust Diner Hard Rock Cafe HB Burger John’s Pizzeria Naples 45 Italian Buffet Ping’s NYC Puglia in Little Italy
EXPLORE Blue Man Group Broadway Shows City Tours Empire State Building Deck Luna Park on Coney Island Madame Tussauds Radio City Music Hall Tour Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Staten Island Ferry Statue Cruises Top of the Rock Observation Deck
New York City
Take a bite out of The Big Apple and explore the city that never sleeps. From skyscrapers to sprawling Central Park, the sites will never disappoint.
LEARN American Museum of Natural History Broadway & Dance Group Workshops Carnegie Hall Tour Intrepid Museum Lincoln Center Tour Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center Museum of Modern Art National Geographic Encounter National September 11th Memorial New York City Ballet New York Philharmonic One World Observatory
Perform Carnegie Hall Cathedral of St. John Divine Intrepid Museum Performance Performing Arts Festival The Offstage Group 52
PREMIER PERFORMANCE INVITATIONAL New York Philharmonic
Hot Dogs from Street Vendors
Central Park
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Temple Exhibit
The Lion King Broadway Show
Barne227
53
Changing the Culture from the inside out:
Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
Motivating Kids + Community by Stan Mauldin
After being hired as the Director of Bands for Seguin Texas
fight the kids, so no arguing allowed! The students have
ISD, I immediately met with the student leaders to find out
input on sectionals, rehearsals and setting the schedule.
their thoughts on making their band better. I asked the
Therefore, the expectation is they will attend and be on
students the first time I met them, “If you were the band
time. Keeping track of their bow ties is a separate issue!
director what would you change in YOUR band program?” Their answers became the driving force in everything we did! Their answers:
1. More Discipline 2. Motivate the Students 3. Make the Members More Responsible 4. Change the Attitude 5. Have More Patience 6. Be More Competitive 7. Have Fun 8. Go Travel Now everything we do is based on the expectations set up
Change the Attitude
by the members themselves.
The band had done things the same way for 10 years.
More Discipline
on daily. Our motto has become, “make the impossible,
You have to show up on time, and be quiet in rehearsal. It’s
possible.” Most of the strategies we use are basic.
better, but honestly, it’s a work in progress.
• Establish a rapport with the individual members. Ask what
Motivate the Students
they are interested in, their families, their work, their hobbies. Then, remember their answers and talk to the kids about them.
We decided to perform more difficult literature and
• Build a consensus and take action.
perform more often. If you give the band 90 days until the
• Play every event you can. We performed over 40 times from
next concert, it will take the band 89 days to prepare. Our
December to March. By playing a lot, we created a ton of
performance average is every 30 days. Because of a more
positive energy, created a lot of awareness in the program.
intense schedule, the members are far more motivated.
Plus, the kids learned and performed a bunch of chamber
Make the Members More Responsible We increased expectations. I trusted the students to work out their music. That is a change from the past where the
54
Changing the attitude was and is still something we work
music. It was AWESOME! • Create ownership! I asked the leaders how we can “motivate the unmotivated” and then took action on their suggestions.
students worked out every note in sectionals. It is now
Have More Patience
the student’s responsibility to get the notes worked out at
It’s not their fault. What is that old saying? “You don’t know
home and I work on the music.
what you don’t know.” We started from the very beginning
Set your expectations early and stick to your guns. I don’t
and worked slowly until we could play the selection. I
looked at every child and made adjustments in their hand
Finally
position, embouchure, articulation, tone production,
As I type this story, we are in New York preparing for the
anything and everything that would better the individual.
Seguin High School Band’s debut in Carnegie Hall. The band
During the first week of one hour sectionals, the French
learned six selections including “Rhapsody in Blue” and
horns played 4 measures and the tubas made it through
raised over $260,000 in just 90 days!
one note. But, that one note was pretty okay! The members rehearsed over the winter break, attended
Be More Competitive
two additional after school band rehearsals per week,
I wanted to be really competitive with a certain team. For
plus their sectionals. They learned to be outstanding
marching band, we scheduled some contests where the
baby sitters, mowed lawns, raked leaves, painted, cleaned
competition was more difficult. Some of the staff had their
houses, sold cupcakes, tamales, tacos to make money.
doubts, but by the end of the season, the band had won
Their families gave up their Christmas presents, worked
most of the competitions and had beaten most of the
extra shifts and twisted the arm of every relative they knew
teams we targeted. It’s simple: GOAL MAKING WORKS!
for money to send their kids on the trip. The band made a commitment and fulfilled their responsibility to themselves,
Have Fun
their families and the community.
How do you make band more fun? • Enjoy the process. If you respect the kids, work purposefully,
The kids learned that nothing is impossible and during the
and expect greatness, the process is enjoyable.
process, the kids became better people, better musicians
• Schedule time to play and get to know each other out of class.
and the Seguin Band became that band that I dreamed
• Laugh a lot!
about leading in college. What’s next? I think a marching
• Don’t take yourself so seriously! Music is supposed to be fun!
band on the moon would be cool!
Go Travel Director’s Choice called me in October 2016. “An ensemble has cancelled their trip to New York to perform in Carnegie Hall. Do you want the slot?” We would need to learn 40 minutes of music and fundraise a large amount of money.
Stan Mauldin has over 20 years teaching band students. He has an extensive history of success including UIL State Marching champions, TMEA Honor Band finalists, WGI world champions in Winterguard and Winter Percussion and WGI world champion finalists in Winter Winds. Professionally, he has conducted clinics for the TMEA, TBA, OBA and the Midwest Clinic.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS to
CARNEGIE HALL Stern Auditorium + Perelman Stage
MA R C H 11, 2019
Jeff Goldberg / ESTO
55
Southern California
Take your own walk of fame in the glamorous City of Angels. From beaches to boardwalks to magical thrills, Southern California is a great play and perform destination.
RESTAURANTS Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Buca di Beppo Farmer’s Market Hard Rock Cafe Joe’s Crab Shack Medieval Times Rusty’s Surf Ranch
EXPLORE Aquarium of the Pacific ComedySportz Disneyland® Resort Downtown LA Historic District Tour El Capitan Theatre Knott’s Berry Farm Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Zoo Madame Tussauds Pacific Park Santa Monica Pier Skyspace LA Sony Pictures Studios Tour The Grove Universal Studios Hollywood
LEARN Getty Center and Villa Tours Griffith Observatory La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Los Angeles Philharmonic Natural History Museum of LA Petersen Automotive Museum Street Art Tour
Perform
Disney Performing Arts Performances Dodgers Stadium Skyspace LA
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directorschoice.travel 56
Disney Performing Arts Performances at Disney California AdventureÂŽ Park
Santa Monica Pier
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood
Dodgers Stadium
57
RESTAURANTS Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Hornblower Dinner Cruise & Dance Joe’s Crab Shack Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood
EXPLORE Aquarium of the Bay California’s Great America Exploratorium Levi’s Stadium Tour Madame Tussauds Muir Woods Pier 39 San Francisco Bay Cruise San Francisco Giants Baseball San Francisco Zoo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom The Flyer Movie Experience Winchester Mystery House Tour
LEARN California Academy of Sciences San Francisco Opera San Francisco Symphony
Perform California Academy of Sciences Music in the Parks The Offstage Group Workshop
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directorschoice.travel 58
San Francisco
San Francisco is a city famous for its art, history and architecture. Your group of budding minds has a lot to learn from this city of ideas. Let the Golden Gate Bridge transport them through the famous yearround fog. Catch an iconic cable car and be whisked away to the many attractions waiting for you!
SEATTLE
Seattle not only harbors ships, it has been a harbor to talent and innovation for decades. This city saw rock-and-roll evolve from big hair bands to what it is today, housing the grunge movement in its coffee houses. You can explore like a local enjoying the Museum of History & Industry and munching on goodies from famous food trucks. Let Seattle share its diversity of opportunity.
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Ivar’s Acres of Clams
EXPLORE Bainbridge Island Chihuly Garden and Glass ComedySportz Pier 57 Pike’s Place Market Seattle Art Museum Seattle Aquarium Seattle Great Wheel Seattle Harbor Tour Space Needle Whale Watching Cruise
LEARN Bainbridge Island Historical Museum Boeing Tour & Gallery Museum of Flight Museum of History and Industry Museum of Pop Culture Seattle Symphony
Perform Instrumental Clinic at University of Washington
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 59
CHICAGO
Bring your wind instruments to the Windy City! From Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate to the shores of Lake Michigan, your group can see a version of an American city unlike any other. A beautiful skyline, a unique art museum scene, and the welcoming attitude of the Midwest awaits your eager eyes.
RESTAURANTS Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Cruises Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. Hard Rock Cafe Gino’s East of Chicago Giordano’s Margaritaville Medieval Times Portillo’s
EXPLORE 360 Chicago Observation Deck Blue Man Group Chicago Cubs Baseball Lincoln Park Zoo Navy Pier Six Flags Great America Skydeck Chicago The Magnificent Mile White Sox Baseball
LEARN Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum Chicago Symphony Field Museum of Natural History Gangster Tour Museum of Science and Industry The Art Institute of Chicago
Perform Chicago Symphony Center Field Museum Navy Pier Six Flags Great America The Offstage Group Clinic
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directorschoice.travel 60
PREMIER PERFORMANCE INVITATIONAL The Chicago Theater
The Field Museum of Natural History
ComedySportz
Deep Dish Pizza
Museum of Science and Industry
61
Crossing Borders
INTERNATIONAL 62
ITALY
Italy is a country thriving with art, music, and substance. Your group will have the trip of a lifetime and performance opportunities like never before. See cities written about in history books and Shakespearean plays. Italy’s culture, cuisuine and history are sure to leave a powerful impression.
RESTAURANTS Local Cuisine Establishments
EXPLORE Basilica of St. Mark Bridge of Sighs Colosseum Tour Florence Walking Tour Padua Walking Tour Palatine Hill Tour Piombi Prison Roman Forum Tour Sightseeing in Bologna St. Peter’s Basilica The Doge’s Palace Venice Historical District Tour
LEARN Uffizi Gallery Art Museum Vatican Museums
Perform Santo Maria dei Ricci Santo Stefano St. Paul’s Within the Walls
VIEW STANDARD ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 63
RESTAURANTS Abby Tavern Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet Local Cuisine Establishments Merry Ploughboy The Albert Pub
EXPLORE Bunratty Folk Park Dublin City Tour Grafton Street Irish Night Show Limerick Sightseeing Tour Rock of Cashel Sightseeing in Galway St. Patrick’s Cathedral The Cliffs of Moher Trinity College & Book of Kells
LEARN Adare Village & Heritage Center Bodhran Drum Lesson Cobh Heritage Center
Perform St. Patrick’s Cathedral St. Patrick’s Day Parade
VIEW STANDARD ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 64
Ireland
The magic of the Emerald Isle will captivate the hearts and minds of your students. Perform at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a site of history and splendor. Enjoy the green landscapes, rugged history, and mystic whimsy of this great country.
Montreal+Quebec
Explore the multicultural neighborhoods of bustling Montreal and the French culture of Québec City. This is a French immersion experience that no other North American destination can provide. Discover the heritage of the region’s Francophone roots and the magic of its sprawling natural landscape.
RESTAURANTS Badali Bar and Cucina Local Cuisine Establishments Medieval Times
EXPLORE Butchart Gardens Butterfly Conservatory Canada Place CNN Tower Observation Deck Granville Island Hockey Hall of Fame Huron Dance and Song Show Montreal Tower Observatory Niagra Falls Old Montreal Guided Tour Old Quebec Guide Tour Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Stanley Park St. Lawrence Market Traditional Huron-Wendat Tour Vancouver Aquarium
LEARN Casa Loma Royal Ontario Museum
Perform Henry Leck Joshua Pedde Montreal Choral Festival Notre Dame Basilica University of Toronto Clinic
VIEW STANDARD ITINERARIES ONLINE AT Notre Dame Basilica
directorschoice.travel 65
United Kingdom
The grandeur of music is surely matched by the country of castles. Bring your students to see Coventry Castle and Winchester Cathedral in the land of rain and green grass. Take a walking tour of one of the largest cities in Europe, London. Enjoy a traditional tea or partake in a game of the other football.
RESTAURANTS Local Cuisine Establishments
EXPLORE Canterbury Cathedral London West End Theatre Buckingham Palace Oxford Salisbury Cathedral Stonehenge St. Paul’s Cathedral Warwick Castle Westminster Abbey Winchester Cathedral
LEARN Blenheim Palace House of Parliament Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tower of London
Perform Southwark Cathedral
VIEW STANDARD ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
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Get Inspired. Build Confidence. Why European Travel offers Valuable Life-Souvenirs for your students by Adele Youngs
Europe is an incredible experience, especially for a
Opening Minds and Experiences of a Lifetime
performing arts student group. Aside from art, culture, and
Open their minds not only with an international
excitement, a well-planned European performance trip can
performance, but provide a world of travel experience.
be a tremendous program builder. I work with hundreds of
New foods and cultures are theirs to explore! Successfully
music educators from across the globe and am impressed
interacting with local people in a store can be more of an
with their lofty goals. A well-planned European trip will
accomplishment than you realize. It inspires a sense of self-
satisfy these program goals and leave a lasting impression.
confidence and capability that will be more valuable than any souvenir they can bring home. Realizing what they can
• get students to experience music together • share cultural experiences together as a group
achieve will impact them long after they leave your class.
• open their minds and improve their self-discipline
International Travel Planning
• give them experiences that will last well beyond school
Yes, there is a cost involved in traveling to Europe. Having
Experience Music Together
arranged tours for over 20 years, however, I have seen many ways that budgets can be met creatively. Groups
If you have never performed in a foreign country with your
that didn’t believe they would be able to take a trip stand
students, you are in for a treat! European audiences love to
triumphantly at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
hear your students sing or play and will flock to hear them. Taking kids on a trip is also a huge responsibility, especially Preparing a musical performance for an audience in
when you are traveling thousands of miles. There are
another country is a whole new level of commitment.
prudent steps you can take to make things safer – traveling
If part of your program includes singing in a foreign
with a reputable travel company, like Director’s Choice, to
language, the experience is greatly enhanced for your
start. Consider planning 18 months to 2 years out. Take
groups by placing special care and attention in the
advantage of this planning time frame to market your trip
preparation and meaning of the music.
and program to incoming students. This time also gives the opportunity to fundraise and recruit.
Sharing a festival stage in a European town is eye-opening. Befriending and competing with groups from around the
Europe is a safe travel destination, if you plan well and
world shows students how easily music connects people.
partner with a knowledgeable expert. Let your travel
Learn and Grow in Music
company help you meet district requirements for safety and security, as well as answer parent questions about
European is drenched in musical history. For a performing
overseas travel details. Europe may seem daunting now,
ensemble, a European tour is more than cobblestone
but give it time, bring in expertise, and the rewards of a
streets and castles, it’s heritage. Visiting Mozart’s home or
European performance tour will far outweigh the work to
the old halls still ringing with Bach’s compositions brings
takes to get there.
musical heritage to life in a way that a classroom just can’t. Why is Western sacred classical music written the way it is? Once your group perform in a historic European venue, they’ll understand why.
An extension of Director’s Choice, Adele Young is the co-founder of Live Travel and Tours in Europe, serving as our European travel partner. She knows the best experiences to impress, inspire, and educate your students in the vast cultures of Europe. 67
COASTAL East to West, Sunrise to Sunset
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San DIEGO
Known for its beaches, parks and warm climate, San Diego is a thriving border city. Take advantage of year-round sunshine and moderate temperatures. Enjoy the outdoor parks, sites and surf. San Diego’s fascinating history spans from 16th century Spanish missions to pivotal, modern naval history.
RESTAURANTS Buca di Beppo Buster’s Beach House DJ Dinner Cruise Joe’s Crab Shack
EXPLORE Balboa Park Belmont Park Mission Bay Beach San Diego Padres Baseball San Diego Zoo SeaWorld
LEARN Reuben H Fleet Science Center & IMAX USS Midway Museum
Perform USS Midway
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT San Diego Zoo
directorschoice.travel 69
HAWAII
Take your group to paradise this year and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii’s sandy beaches and sensational sunsets. Perform at historic Pearl Harbor, hike to the top of Diamond Head, and experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau! Oahu is filled with fun, adventure, and education. Performance opportunities are varied and unique.
RESTAURANTS Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. Buca di Beppo Hard Rock Cafe Germaine’s Luau Paradise Cove Luau
EXPLORE Aloha Stadium Marketplace Diamond Head State Monument Grand Ali’i Polynesian Tour Honolulu Highlights Tour Kualoa Movie Tour North Shore Tour Pearl Harbor & USS Missouri Snorkeling Surfing Waikiki Beach
LEARN Dole Plantation Pearl Harbor Tour Polynesian Cultural Center
Perform Ala Moana Center USS Bowfin
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 70
Waikiki Beach
Snorkeling
SurďŹ ng
Diamond Head State Monument Hike
Traditional Polynesian Dancers
USS Arizona Memorial
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Hawaii: The o’hana experience by Allison Graham
For 15 years I’ve personally escorted thousands of students
quite a sight. There is nothing like seeing the islands come
and their group leaders to Waikiki on the island of O’ahu
into view. The rugged terrain meeting the crystal waters
in my role with Director’s Choice. When my directors tell
really is surreal.
me they ready to begin planning the “big” trip, I always suggest Hawaii as an option. Not only is it breathtakingly
A must on every Hawaii itinerary is the fresh flower lei
beautiful, but it’s full of adventure, cultural experiences,
greeting. This true Hawaiian hospitality and a warm “aloha!”
and memorable performance options.
sets the tone for your entire Hawaiian experience. It’s a tradition you won’t want to miss!
Across the Water
‘Ohana Culture When you spend time on the Island, you are greeted like
Although Hawaii seems like an exotic foreign country, it is,
family. It’s no coincidence that the pineapple, synonymous
in fact, the 50th state. That means, no need for passports
with Hawaii, is the universal symbol of hospitality. The
or customs agents. Once you
Hawaiian people are warm and friendly. In Hawaiian
get through airport security
culture, ‘ohana means family. You are family when you are
and buckle up, prepare to
in Hawaii.
be seated for a long flight. For most students, this is
More than just sun and fun, there are so many
a memorable part of the
opportunities to expose your students to Polynesian
adventure, especially if they
history and culture.
have never flown before - take
• Learn the basics of the Hawaiian language
a nap, watch a movie, and eat
• Tell a story with your hands as you try the art of Hula
some snacks.
• Make fire with Samoans • Try the Poi
Approaching Honolulu from the Mainland over the ocean is 72
• Enjoy a Luau and watch the Kalua Pig come up from the Imu (Underground Oven)
Heartrending History
Break trip, expect a daily quick rain shower, colloquially
Pearl Harbor brings history to life and humanizes our past.
known as a blessing.
You’ll be amazed at the impact a day spent at the Valor in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial
Your itinerary should have a balance of structured and
has on students. Plus understanding the attack on Pearl
unstructured time. Don’t try to over pack the itinerary
Harbor over 75 years ago, makes performing there more
as you might miss a beautiful moment. They happen all
meaningful. It is a great privilege and honor to perform
around you on the island.
at Pearl Harbor. Students have an audience of hundreds visiting from all over the world.
Once you are there, you will quickly learn what Hawaiian time is - the locals’ way of saying it’ll happen when it
Exquisite Nature
happens. So, now that you have a small taste paradise, I hope you will consider travel to Hawaii. Take the advice of
Most of us enjoy the natural habitat near our home,
the locals and take your time when planning a Hawaii trip.
whether that be enormous blue skies, rolling green hills,
The best trips are best planned with expert help.
or even exciting city lights, but I cannot express to you the majestic beauty of the Hawaiian islands. • Marvel at the waterfalls coming off the mountains • Sail the crystal Clear waters on a catamaran • Watch the surfers on the world famous beaches • Spot sea turtles and dolphins while snorkeling • Hike up Diamond Head for a fantastic view • Smell the fragrant flowers and plants • Catch an incredible sunset every evening • Experience the cool sweetness of Dole Whip
Common Pitfalls Use a trusted and experienced tour company, like Director’s Choice, when you travel to Hawaii. It’s crucial that your travel company has a solid, trusted relationship with local suppliers. Going to Hawaii, while part of the United States, has its own culture and unique ways of doing things. A proven company will keep your kids safe and give you the value you deserve for those hard earned trip funds. Don’t over pack your suitcase or your itinerary! The temperature stays about the same every day of the year. The rainy season is in March, so if you are on a Spring
Allison is a former band director and is passionate about supporting music education. An expert travel planner, Allison knows destinations as well as she knows how to move large student groups.
73
Corpus Christi
Experience a new standard in travel along the charming Corpus Christi coast. Conveniently located lodging is minutes away from the action ensuring you don’t waste a moment while taking pleasure in the natural gifts of the coast. Don’t miss the touch pools of the Texas State Aquarium or the Naval Aviation Museum and USS Lexington.
RESTAURANTS Joe’s Crab Shack Landry’s Seafood House Pier 99
EXPLORE Corpus Christi Beaches Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball Funtracker’s Family Fun Hurricane Alley Waterpark Schlitterbahn Waterpark
LEARN Texas State Aquarium USS Lexington
Perform Del Mar College Texas A&M Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center USS Lexington
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 74
SCHOLASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL Corpus Christi Bay
USS Lexington
Schlitterbahn
Texas A&M CC - PAC
Texas State Aquarium
75
South padre island
Sun, fun, and music all go together at South Padre Island. With its warm tropical temperatures, white beaches, and the emerald waters, South Padre is THE premier resort in Texas. Located on the southern tip of Texas, it is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico & Laguna Madre Bay.
RESTAURANTS BBQ Dinner Cruise Blackbeard’s Louie’s Backyard Padre Style Luau and Cruise
EXPLORE Amphibious Vehicle Land and Sea Tour Beach Activities Black Dragon Pirate Cruise Dolphin Watching Cruise Gladys Porter Zoo Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
LEARN Sandcastle Building Lesson Sea Turtle Inc.
Perform Harlingen Municipal Auditorium Schlitterbahn Beach Resort Texas Southmost College -The Arts Center
VIEW SAMPLE ITINERARIES ONLINE AT
directorschoice.travel 76
SHOWCASE OF MUSIC Schlitterbahn Beach and Resort
South Padre Beaches
TSC The Arts Center
Gladys Porter Zoo
77
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TRAVEL + LEARN + PERFORM IN STATE + OUT OF STATE + INTERNATIONAL Director’s Choice Dances creates custom itineraries that work for your dance, cheer or drill group. Whether you are looking for parades, workshops, masterclasses or a behind-the-vscenes peek at your industry, we can accommodate. Let us help you craft a travel and performance plan from travel accommodations for your regional festivals, to out of state and even overseas exploration.
YOUR CHOICE Founded by music educators, Director's Choice was built by developing meaningful performance options for students groups like yours. Whether you travel across the country or stay close to home, we want to offer festival and concert options that challenge and inspire your ensemble. Our proprietary music festivals are unmatched, designed to wow your eyes and ears and leave an indelible impression on your young performers.
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DIRECTOR’S CHOICE | Travel + Performance Guide
Where can we take you next?
2018-19 RESOURCE GUIDE
TRAVEL + PERFORMANCE DISNEY© DONE RIGHT Our resident expert explains how to navigate your next Walt Disney trip and be a savvy park hopper.
MAKE EUROPE A REALITY See why Europe offers valuable life-souvenirs for performing students.
MOTIVATING KIDS AND COMMUNITY Director Stan Mauldin talks about changing the classroom culture and getting to Carnegie Hall.
What are they taking from it? A new two-year study reveals how travel actually affects students and their performance.
2018 - 19
T R AV E L + L E A R N + P E R F O R M
T R AV E L + L E A R N + P E R F O R M