MIDDLE SCHOOL | ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL
Junior Finalist Announcements
Can't locate one of our email updates in your inbox? Email updates will be posted below for your reference. Please note, posts are listed in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent update at the top of the page. We hope you find this convenient!
Please Note: Nearly all program updates will come in the form of email communication. It is critical for you to add honors@honorsperformance.org to your list of “approved senders” with your email client to avoid missing important updates from the Series. This is particularly important if you did not receive an email from us regarding your acceptance. If you change your email address, please be sure to let us know.
We will send an email update to all Junior Finalists any time we have new information to share. It’s extremely important that you receive and carefully review each of our updates so you are fully prepared for your performance in London. Below is copy of each update sent to Junior Finalists thus far. The Series cannot be responsible for missed email communications or updates, and it is the responsibility of the Finalist to respond to requests for information leading up to your Series experience on or before the communicated deadlines.
April 23 - Important Royal Festival Hall program update
Dear Honors Family,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing today to let you know we have decided to cancel the 2020 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Royal Festival Hall. Our team is extremely disappointed that this summer’s program will not proceed as planned, but we also feel this course of action is best.
We did not come to this decision lightly. The health and safety of our program participants and staff is, and always will be, our top priority. As we have been working with our program partners and consulting global and national health organizations to try and carry out the program as planned, we realized it is safest to simply stay home this summer.
We know you have worked very hard to attend this exciting experience, and we don’t want you to miss out. To that end, we have arranged for your automatic acceptance into the 2021 Honors Performance Series. (Please see your email for program information and dates.)
Your enrollment and currently paid funds will be applied toward the 2021 program; however, we will be honoring your 2020 tuition amount. This applies to all Junior Finalist accounts, Family Program enrollments, and Sightseeing Extension registrations. As a 2021 program participant, you will benefit from no transfer fees and additional time to make payments. Your 2021 Customer Account Number will be shared in a future communication for your records.
We understand you may have questions about what the 2020 program cancellation means for you and your family, and we have posted additional information on the FAQs tab of the Junior Finalist Updates Page. These FAQs are specific to participants in your program and contain much more extensive information than those on our public website.
If you are unable to commit to the 2021 program at this time, we invite you to let us know that by clicking below. We understand these are extraordinary times, and we hope you will be able to join us for another Honors Performance Series program in the future.
If you elect not to transfer your participation to 2021, you must officially confirm your cancellation no later than Friday, May 8, 2020; otherwise, you will be automatically transferred to the 2021 program listed above.
Despite this summer’s performance not taking place as planned, I am hopeful we will see you at next year’s Series. Until then, my team and I send our warmest wishes.
Sincerely,
Matt Castrina
Vice President, Education Experience
Honors Performance Series by WorldStrides
March 25 – Video Update from our VP of Education Experience
Dear Honors Family,
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve, I hope to be as proactive and transparent in communicating updates with you as possible. I’m writing today to reassure you that we are taking this situation very seriously, and we hear and understand your concerns. Please take some time to view the below video message summarizing what we are doing here at the Series.
As always, our team is available at 1-800-503-0807 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time to support with any questions you have.
Sincerely,
Matt Castrina
Vice President, Education Experience
March 19 – New Insurance Offering for Summer Programs
Dear Families,
As I shared in my message last week, our team is working around the clock to stay on top of the evolving circumstances related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
I am pleased to share that, since my prior email, we have arranged through our travel insurance provider, Trip Mate, to offer a new Travel Protection Policy for participants on our summer 2020 programs that includes Cancel For Any Reason coverage (also known as CFAR).
This new Travel Protection Plan with CFAR covers 75% of your non-refundable program fees and allows you to cancel your participation for any reason up until two days before the program. Additional information about the policy and how to enroll is available on this flyer and can also be accessed on your (Junior) Finalist Update Page. For complete details of the CFAR plan, click here.
Please note: This new policy with CFAR coverage will replace the standard Traveler Protection Program for all new enrollments. If you have previously purchased the standard Traveler Protection Program, your enrollment will be honored; however, if you wish to modify your travel insurance and enroll in the program that includes CFAR, please contact us to cancel your current travel insurance enrollment and enroll in the new plan.
For any additional follow up or for more information on the travel protection plans, please reach out to our Customer Support Team at 1-800-503-0807. Our best response is via telephone from our Customer Support Team members. More information about participant safety, refunds, and our cancellation policy may be found in the Frequently Asked Questions page on our website. For coverage questions about the travel protection plan, please call Trip Mate at 1-833-297-2255.
We view all our program participants as family. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us, and we look forward to hosting you for an incredible musical experience this summer!
Sincerely,
Matt Castrina
Vice President, Education Experience
Honors Performance Series
March 12 – An Update Regarding COVID-19
Dear Families,
As the new coronavirus continues to escalate attention globally, I am writing to share an update with all who we consider part of our family.
I understand you may have questions and concerns regarding the recent message on travel issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). While there is uncertainty over the next thirty days, I, and all members of the Honors Performance Series team here, want to assure you that we are continuing to plan for your summer experience and that the health, safety, and security of our program participants is, and always will be, our highest priority. We will not allow students and families to travel if we don't think it is safe to do so.
Our leadership is closely monitoring local travel advisories in regions domestic and abroad, and we will be writing periodically to keep you up to date on the situation. Additionally, we have taken several steps to ensure the highest levels of safety this summer:
- We will continue to update our recommendations based on updates from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the DOS, and the guidance of partners like WorldAware and The George Washington University Hospital, that are available via our parent company, WorldStrides.
- We are implementing additional training for our staff to encourage best hygiene practices and will continue to update our protocols, with the support of WorldStrides' Medical Director, as your program approaches.
- We are in constant contact with our housing & local partners, who are adjusting their cleaning processes and protocols to meet the situation today.
- As part of every program session, our Doctors on Call help line, which is supervised by the head of Emergency Medicine at The George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine, is available 24/7 while program participants are on tour.
More information about participant safety, refunds, and our cancellation policy may be found in a new Frequently Asked Questions page on our website.
For any additional questions, please reach out to our Customer Support Team at 1-800-503-0807. Our best response is via telephone from our Customer Support Team members.
We will continue to provide updates as they arise and thank you for your patience during these extraordinary times.
We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Sincerely,
Matt Castrina
Vice President, Education Experience
Honors Performance Series
March 11 – Acceptance Notification
Congratulations on your acceptance as a Junior Finalist for the 2020 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Royal Festival Hall! Your acceptance to this talented group is a direct result of the dedication and achievements demonstrated in your application.
Recognition as a Junior Finalist is the first step toward performing with the Honors Junior Ensembles at Royal Festival Hall.
Please complete the Confirmation Form as soon as possible and no later than March 27. Your place in the program is guaranteed pending receipt of this form; if you are unable to attend, we will offer your place to a First-Runner up.
In preparation for the performance, your family will receive regular updates, sheet music, and practice notes from your Conductor over the upcoming months. In late June you will be assigned a Program Chaperone who will be in contact to answer questions and be there when you arrive. Upon arrival in London, you will have the opportunity to learn from your Conductor, work with other Junior Finalists, get a taste of London and, most importantly, perform at Royal Festival Hall!
Please note that most program updates will take place via email. To ensure you receive these updates, please add honors@honorsperformance.org to your list of approved senders. In the upcoming months, you will receive frequent updates from the Series. Be sure to email the Series at honors@honorsperformance.org if you change your email or mailing address; we want to be sure this important information arrives to you.
Your Customer Account Number is included on your acceptance email and letter. This will be included on all invoices and will be requested when submitting additional information to the Series. The Customer Account Number in the acceptance materials is the most up-to-date and should be used from this point forward.
Once again, congratulations on your selection as a Junior Finalist for the 2020 Middle School Honors Performance Series. Your entire family should be very proud of this accomplishment. We look forward to welcoming you to the Royal Festival Hall in July!
The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented and operated by WorldStrides.
