Finalist FAQs

These FAQs were most recently updated on April 14, 2020. 

Can I transfer to the same 2021 program without re-applying?
Your participation has automatically been transferred to a comparable 2021 program based on your grade level. 

Why was my participation transferred to a different grade level?
Your 2021 program eligibility is based on the high school graduation year you indicated on your application. As such, any current 12th graders have been transferred to one of our 2021 Young Adult Honors Performance Series: 

• Instrumentalists have been accepted for the 2021 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein. 
• Because our 2021 Young Adult program at the Musikverein will be instrumental only, choral Finalists have been accepted for the 2021 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. 

If you feel your participation was not transferred to the correct program, please contact us at 1-800-503-0807, and we will review on a case-by-case basis. 

What are the dates of the 2021 programs?
The 2021 High School and Young Adult Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein are planned from July 6-11, 2021. The 2021 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall will take place from February 4-8, 2021.  

What if I can’t attend the 2021 dates?
If you are unable to attend in 2021, please click here to let us know no later than Friday, April 24, 2020. To assist our team in supporting you as quickly and thoroughly as possible, we ask that the Responsible Party on the Finalist account completes this form on behalf of your whole family. 

What if I transfer to the 2021 program, but later find out that I have a conflict with the dates?
Your participation in next year’s program will be managed with the 2021 cancellation deadlines.  

Will my Travel Protection Plan enrollment still cover the 2021 program?
Yes, your existing Travel Protection Plan coverage will roll over to 2021. 

I didn’t buy the Travel Protection Plan yet. Can I buy it now for the 2021 program?
The opportunity to purchase the 2021 Travel Protection Plan will be offered after 2021 acceptances have been announced in October 2020. 

I can’t attend the 2021 program. Do I get a full refund? Even my deposit?
Yes, you will receive a full refund (including your application deposit and Travel Protection Plan premium) if you submit this form no later than April 24, 2020. Please note that we are unable to provide refunds for fees related to returned checks or electronic bank drafts, nor for merchandise purchased through our third-party memorabilia store.   

How will I receive my refund?
Refunds will go back to the original form of payment. If you have made payments with multiple payment types, and/or if you have received donations via the Gift of Performance, each individual payment will be credited back to the original form of payment. 

When will my refund arrive?
Due to the large numbers of refunds being processed across the WorldStrides organization, as well as the steps required for the Honors Performance Series to recoup the costs we had already paid toward the program, we ask for your understanding that refunds will take longer than usual. 

I’ve already paid for a room upgrade. Can I get a refund for that, even if I’m rolling over to the 2021 program?
Please contact our team at 1-800-503-0807, and we will assist you. 

I don’t know if I’ll be able to attend the 2021 program. What should I do?
If you are unable to commit to 2021 at this time, please let us know before April 24, 2020, by completing this form. 

When will I get more information about my 2021 participation?
At this time, we have only finalized the 2021 program dates (see above). Additional details will be provided on our website as they become available: 

• A high-level program schedule and anticipated ensemble types for 2021 will be announced when the 2021 application process opens in May/June of 2020. 
• Specifics about your assigned Conductor and ensemble, and instructions for booking your travel to and from the program, will be shared when 2021 acceptances are announced in late October of 2020. 
• Your repertoire, sheet music, Conductors’ notes, Chaperone details, and other pre-program information will be communicated in the months between 2021 acceptances and the programs.

I plan on attending the 2021 program. When will additional payments (if any) be due?
The 2021 payment plans will be finalized when 2021 acceptances are announced. Preliminary payment deadlines are as follows: 

High School Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein 

• November 15, 2020: $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• December 15, 2020: Any requested rooming upgrade costs, plus $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• January 15, 2021: $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family
• February 15, 2021: $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family
• March 15, 2021: $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family
• April 15, 2021: $350 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family
• May 15, 2021: Any remaining balance due 

Young Adult Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein 

• November 15, 2020: $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• December 15, 2020: Any requested rooming upgrade costs, plus $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family  
• January 15, 2021: $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• February 15, 2021: $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• March 15, 2021: $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• April 15, 2021: $300 US due for Finalists, $150 US due for 6-Day Family, $100 US due for Weekend Family 
• May 15, 2021: Any remaining balance due 

Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall 

• November 6, 2020: $500 US due (Finalists and Full Access Family) / $225 US due for Weekend Family 
• November 25, 2020: Any requested rooming upgrade costs, plus $500 US due (Finalists and Full Access Family) / $225 US due for Weekend Family 
• December 16, 2020: Any remaining balance due 

Will I receive an official acceptance notification for the 2021 program?
If you choose to roll over your acceptance to 2021, you will receive an official acceptance email—similar to the one you received last fall—confirming your acceptance details (part, ensemble, and Conductor name) when 2021 acceptances are announced in late October. 

Will I still receive my sheet music for the planned 2020 program repertoire?
Unfortunately, the cancellation of the 2020 Series has also required the return of the sheet music to the publishers. 

I pre-ordered a CD of the 2020 performance. What will happen to my order?
All 2020 CD pre-orders will be automatically cancelled, and you will receive a full refund back to your credit card. 

I had signed up for the Vienna Group Flight. Do I get a full refund for that? What about if I’m transferring to the 2021 program? Can I still get my flight money back? 
All Group Flight registrations have been cancelled and a full refund of Group Flight costs will be refunded to your original form(s) of payment.  If you are transferring to 2021, you will need to re-enroll in the Group Flight. We will reach out to families with new flight details in late October/early November 2020. 

I had signed up for the Sightseeing Extension. Do I get a full refund on that? What about if I’m transferring to the 2021 program? Can I still get my Sightseeing Extension money back? (What if I’m not sure I can/want to do the Sightseeing Extension next year?)
For all participants in the 2021 Vienna programs, your Sightseeing Extension registration and funds paid have been automatically transferred to 2021, and we are honoring the 2020 program pricing. If you would like to cancel your Sightseeing Extension enrollment, please let us know by completing this form no later than April 24, 2020. To assist our team in supporting you as quickly and thoroughly as possible, we ask that the Responsible Party on the Finalist account completes the form on behalf of your whole family. 

For those who are attending the 2021 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, there is unfortunately no Sightseeing Extension offered for your program. We will cancel your enrollment in the Sightseeing Extension, and you will be automatically refunded.

I had already purchased concert tickets to the June 2020 performance. What do I do?
If you have already purchased tickets directly from the Musikverein for the June 2020 performance, please visit the Musikverein’s website for information about refund and ticket transfer options. 

The program I’m transferring to is less expensive than the program in which I originally enrolled. Do I get a refund of the difference?
We will honor 2020 program prices for all 2021 programs. If, following your participation in the 2021 program, your account is overpaid, you will receive a refund in the amount of your overpayment.