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July 16, 2019 - Pre-Program Updates

The 2019 Honors Performance Series is quickly approaching! We know that this will be a week to remember for all involved. Included below is additional information to ensure that you are fully prepared for your time in Sydney. Family Program participants will receive a similar update regarding their arrangements.

Please review the following information carefully and call or email us with any questions.

Travel
If you are traveling on the Series Group Flight from LAX, you will receive a separate email next week with details about how to find our staff when you arrive at LAX airport.

Please check your email for details about your current airport shuttle reservation status. If the information is incorrect, please submit or resubmit your travel plans at www.honorsperformance.org/sydneytravel. There is ample space on the shuttles, but it is helpful to know who we should look for at the airport. Please note, we are not able to manually enter travel information in our system. You must submit your travel plans via this online form so we may make the appropriate arrangements.

If you are using Series transportation from Sydney Airport on July 31, you should meet our program staff outside the Arrival Gate at SYD Airport, just past the final quarantined customs area. For your reference, click here to view arrival instructions and a map of SYD. Our staff will be holding signs with the Honors Performance Series logo. They will assist you in getting on the shuttles. Only Finalists and registered Family Program participants may ride the shuttles. Program staff will verify names before loading the shuttles. If you have any difficulty locating our staff, please contact our Tour Central (Emergency Support Team) office at +61 283 107 527 (July 29 – August 5 ONLY) and they will be happy to connect you.

If arriving by car, by train or into an alternate airport, Finalists and Full Access Family should report directly to the Intercontinental Sydney located at 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000. Check-in will be located on the second floor of the Intercontinental.

If you are using Series airport shuttles for your return, you will be responsible for boarding one of our shuttles at the appropriate time to meet your flight. We recommend that you plan to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight. The trip to the airport should take about 1 hour, so plan to take a shuttle that departs 4 hours before your flight time. We will have staff on-site during your airport check-in in case you encounter any problems. Your safety and security are our number one priority, and our staff is present to ensure that you are comfortable during the program.

Responsible Parties
Finalists may be checked out from their Chaperone Group during the program (for meals and sightseeing) by the Responsible Party or the authorized adult(s), aged 25 or older, listed on their accounts. Finalists intending to depart the program on their own (NOT using a Series shuttle to SYD or checking out with Family Program participants or an Authorized Adult) must receive prior written authorization from the Responsible Party on their account. If an Authorized Adult is in Sydney, they MUST come to the hotel to check out with the Finalist's Chaperone.

Please check your email for information about the authorized adult(s) are listed on your Finalist’s account. To add authorization, you may do so by sending an email to honors@honorsperformance.org from the Responsible Party email address listed on your Finalist’s account.

Chaperone Assignment
Please see your email for information about your assigned program Chaperone. Your chaperone will meet you at the Intercontinental after you check-in with the program. They will contact you prior to the program to introduce themselves, exchange contact information, and get to know you. We have asked all Chaperones to reach out and schedule a call with you within 3-5 days. We encourage you to check out their Chaperone bio (see email for link).

Program Check-in
The Series check-in will take place on the second floor of the Intercontinental. Finalists may check-in to the Series beginning at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, July 31. Please Note: Official hotel check-in is not until after 4:00 PM While you may check-in to the program beginning at 9:00 AM, your hotel room will not be ready until after 4:00 PM Once our program check-in begins, we will have a secure area for your bags. While your hotel room is being prepared, you will embark on a sightseeing bus tour of Sydney with your Chaperone. When your room is ready, you will receive your hotel key from your Chaperone.

When you check in, you will be given a welcome packet that includes a nametag and lanyard, a wristband, a luggage tag, and general program information. You will be required to wear your nametag and wristband during all Series activities. The wristbands help us identify registered Series participants and will be checked throughout the week. The nametags have emergency phone information and these, along with the wristbands, are just two of the security measures that we take to ensure a safe and smooth week for all involved.

Hotel Information
During the program, you will be staying at the Intercontinental Sydney. Below is additional information on the hotel:

• Address: 117 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
• Phone: +61 2 9253 9000

Rooming
Please see your email for confirmation regarding the arrangements we've made for your rooming at the Intercontinental.

Itinerary
Select the appropriate link below to view your pre-program itinerary:

• 2019 High School Honors Choir
• 2019 High School Honors Band
• 2019 High School Honors Orchestra
• 2019 High School Full Access Family
• 2019 High School Weekend Family

Please note that final arrangements are still being confirmed and plans are subject to change. You will receive a new itinerary when you check into the program; while we don’t anticipate significant changes, you should use the itinerary you receive when you arrive in Sydney as your official schedule for the program.

Packing
Click here to access a suggested packing list. In addition, please keep in mind the following as you pack for your trip:

• Performing at Sydney Opera House is an honor, and the dress code for the Honors Performance was established to provide a formal, uniform look, without requiring students to purchase robes. Clothing items should be neat, dressy, and modest, reflecting the formal nature of the event. Clothing should not be casual in appearance. Please reference the packing list linked for a reminder of the concert dress code.
• All performers must bring their sheet music and a plain, black music folder to hold it.
• There is no specific dress code for the rehearsal days, though Finalists are encouraged to dress appropriately. Sweatpants and pajama pants should not be worn at rehearsals. Attire for the Finalist Celebration is casual, modest, and appropriate. Finalists are encouraged to wear their concert attire.
• Instrumentalists – remember to bring your instrument (and any associated items, such as bows, mutes, etc.)! Percussionists need to bring mallets, sticks, etc. only.
• You will want to bring spending money for all meals, souvenirs, and other miscellaneous expenses. We recommend US $50 a day for meals. Debit or credit cards with a chip can be used to pay directly at vendors and participants will generally incur a service charge for the exchange fee. Participants should check with their bank to learn the fees for international use.
• It is winter in Sydney. Temperatures average 46-58^o F in July/August. Please dress appropriately for the weather, including comfortable walking shoes, coats, and hats. Bring a water bottle.
• Participants should bring plug adapters for their chargers, blow dryers, straighteners, etc. Larger electronics (blow dryers, beard trimmers, etc.) will also require a voltage converter. Plugging in a large electronic device without an adapter or voltage converter can damage the appliance.
• Please leave valuables and electronics at home. The Series assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Important Reminders

• Please reference your email for the current statuses of your Medical Release and Behavior Contract. Please remember that these forms are required for your participation and should be submitted online as soon as possible if we do not already have them. Failure to submit the below forms can result in forfeiture of sightseeing opportunities and/or removal from the program.
• All participants 18 years of age or older must have a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license.
• As Finalists will be involved with activities during the daytime and evening hours, it is best for Finalists to plan to place calls home rather than receiving calls from home.
• To ensure a good experience for everyone, you are expected to be on time and participate in all activities and rehearsals.
• Your peers and the Conductors are counting on you to arrive with your music (notes, rhythms) learned thoroughly and completely.

Behavior
In addition to the guidelines set out in your Behavior Contract, rules will be established by the Chaperones and passed on to all program participants upon your arrival. Any violation of these rules may result in disciplinary action, which includes sending the participant home at the family’s expense. A Chaperone is present at each location visited by the participants; however, at selected locations participants may have the freedom to explore on their own. To make the trip enjoyable and safe for everyone, it is important for each participant to exhibit responsible behavior at all times.

Concert Announcements
The Honors Performance will be the concert of a lifetime! In order to ensure a positive experience for both performers and audience members, please review the following important concert notes with any loved ones who plan on attending the Honors Performance:

• Intermission: There will be no intermission during the Honors Performance.
• Cell Phones: Please switch off your cell phones and other electronic devices. Refrain from texting or answering calls during the performance.
• Recording Devices: Taking photographs, audio recordings, and/or videos during the Honors Performance is strictly prohibited. Please note that Opera House ushers will confiscate any devices used in violation of this policy. The Honors Performance Series offers rehearsal recording CDs (audio recording of the concert repertoire; can be pre-reserved at honorsperformance.org/memorabilia) and ensemble photographs (taken inside the Concert Hall; a link to purchase photos from the photographer will be emailed out after the program) to help Finalists and their loved ones remember this exciting experience.
• Exiting the Opera House: At the conclusion of the performance, Finalists will depart immediately using the stage doors and will return directly to the Intercontinental. Other concertgoers are asked to remain in their seats until all Finalists have exited the Concert Hall.
• Following the Performance: Due to timing constraints at the Opera House, attendees must exit the Concert Hall immediately following the Honors Performance. Those who wish to congratulate Finalists following the performance should return immediately to the Finalist hotel. Finalists may greet loved ones at the Intercontinental.

We are happy to answer any questions prior to your departure if you contact our team at +1-800-503-0807 or honors@honorsperformance.org. If you need to reach us during the program ONLY, please contact our 24-hour Tour Central office (Emergency Travel Support) at +61 283 107 527 (if you are calling from Australia) or +1-800-999-4542 (if you are calling from the United States).

We look forward to hosting you in Sydney and to sharing this experience with you!