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MIDDLE SCHOOL | ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the program and application process. Do not hesitate to call or email our team with additional questions.

What is the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Royal Festival Hall?

The Middle School Honors Performance Series at Royal Festival Hall was established to further to our mission of offering elite and challenging opportunities for talented young performers.

Through an individual nomination and selection process, accomplished students are brought together in London with peers to comprise the Honors Junior Choir and the Honors Junior Instrumental Ensemble.

Who are the conductors?

All our conductors have received international acclaim for their work and have extensive experience in working with talented students, making them the perfect choices to lead the Honors Junior Ensembles. Click here for the most up-to-date information about our Honors Performance Series Conductors, past and future.

What do Junior Finalists do in London?

Though much of the students’ time is focused on performance preparation, the week also allows students to experience the best of the sights and the culture in London.

Highlights of the five-day program typically include (tentative and subject to change):

  • Performing in the elite Honors Junior Performance at Royal Festival Hall under the direction of renowned conductors
  • Working with master conductors and building your performing resume
  • Rehearsing and interacting with other Junior Finalists from across the United States, Canada, and select international schools
  • Celebrating at the Junior Finalist Celebration on the River Thames
  • Seeing a West End Show, visiting the London's most famous landmarks, and experiencing the United Kingdom
When is the 2020 Middle School Honors Performance Series?


The 2019 Middle School Series at Royal Festival Hall will take place July 28 – August 1, 2020.  The Honors Junior Performance at Royal Festival will be Friday, July 31.

What ensembles will perform at the Middle School Honors Performance Series?


The planned ensembles are a mixed choir and instrumental ensemble (format TBD). Applicants are first accepted into the program and are then assigned to an ensemble based upon instrumentation and balance requirements (the Series cannot guarantee that, if accepted, applicants will be placed into a specific ensemble).

What is the connection between the Honors Performance Series and WorldStrides?


The Honors Performance Series is coordinated by WorldStrides OnStage programs. For more than three decades, WorldStrides has strived to promote excellence among choirs, bands, and orchestras by providing outstanding educational and performance opportunities for accomplished student performers across North America. They are proud to support the Honors Performance Series as yet another unique educational and performance opportunity for talented instrumentalists and singers.

How are Junior Finalists selected?
  • Music directors from across the world recognize and nominate their talented 6th-8th grade students.
  • Nominated students and self-nominating students are invited to apply individually for selection.
  • Applicants submit a complete application and audition recording. Self-nominating students must submit an additional teacher recommendation.
  • All applications are reviewed by the Series expert Board of music professionals for final selection. Applicants are first accepted into the program and are then assigned to an ensemble upon instrumentation and balance requirements (the Series cannot guarantee that, if accepted, applicants will be placed into a specific ensemble).
  • Junior Finalist and First Runner-up notifications will be sent via email to the addresses listed on the students’ applications in mid-March.
What are the application requirements?


The Middle School Honors Performance Series application requirements are as follows. Please see the application page for additional information.

  • Application form
  • Nomination or Recommendation
  • Performing Biography form
  • Audition recording
  • Application deposit (the full deposit amount, minus a $15 application fee is refunded if not selected—the application deposit is non-refundable for participants who withdraw after the final application deadline)

Applications will not be considered until all required pieces are received. If an applicant fails to submit required portions, their deposit will be forfeited.

What are the requirements of the audition recording?


Each applicant must electronically submit an audio-only MP3 or M4A audition recording. Please visit the application page for additional information.

May I apply for multiple ensembles?


Applications are automatically considered equally for all applicable ensembles, so if you wish to apply on only one instrument or voice part, you need submit only one application and audition recording to be considered for all applicable ensembles. Accepted applicants will be placed into an ensemble by the Series Selection Board based on balance and instrumentation requirements; students may not request a specific ensemble.

Additionally, you may audition on more than one instrument, and you may also audition as both an instrumentalist and a vocalist. In both cases, you only need to submit one application form, deposit, Director Nomination, and Performing Biography; but you will need to submit multiple recordings.

Can family participate?


Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to join their Junior Finalist by purchasing one of our Family Program packages or by purchasing individual tickets to the performance. This is a wonderful experience to share with family and friends.

Information on package options will be provided to Junior Finalists once accepted and posted on the “Family” Page of this website. Additionally, information on how to purchase tickets to the performance will be provided to Junior Finalists. Other than individual tickets to the Royal Festival Hall performance, all hotels, activities, touring and events are available only as a part of a package (cannot be purchased individually).

How do you ensure performer safety?


The safety and security of our student performers is our highest priority, and the Series has implemented a number of safety measures to ensure all participants are well supported and protected
:

  • Airport shuttles and staff to greet and send off students from assigned airport
  • All transportation during the program
  • Chaperones (all of whom are professional music educators) to supervise performers outside of rehearsals and during activities
  • Program staff experienced and trained in working with middle school students
  • Accommodations in student-friendly hotels (safe areas, interior corridors, etc.)
  • Hotel night security on each occupied floor to ensure restful nights for students
  • Doctors on Call resource providing medical support while on the program
  • 24-hour staffed emergency office to handle the unexpected
  • Extensive participant insurance while on the program

Selected participants are expected to act with utmost maturity during the program. Junior Finalists found to have violated the Series' behavior guidelines (as outlined in the Finalist Behavior Contract signed by all participants) will be dismissed without a refund.

For additional information about our health and safety measures, please click here.

How are students supervised while in London?


In order to provide a safe and structured experience, all Junior Finalists are assigned a program Chaperone. The Series invites music teachers, most of whom have nominated students for the program and all of whom have demonstrated expertise working with middle school musicians and traveling internationally with students, to apply for selection as program Chaperones.

All Chaperone applicants undergo a background check prior to selection and are trained on the Series safety policies and procedures. Prior to the program, Junior Finalists and their families will receive a biography of their Chaperone and will have the opportunity to communicate with them before arriving in London.

What is included in the program tuition?

The Honors Performance Series provides a hassle-free experience, so selected student performers can focus on their main reason for being in London—performing at their very best in Royal Festival Hall. The Series tentatively includes:

  • All rehearsal costs, including equipment and sheet music
  • All production cost and services for the Royal Festival Hall performance
  • All fees for shown activities – including a West End show, celebration, and sightseeing
  • All ground transportation during the program, including transfers between the specified airport and hotels (arrival and departure transportation—flights, trains, etc.—are the participant's responsibility)
  • Exposure to and learning from world-class conductors for the program duration
  • Student chaperones, city touring guides, and program staff
  • Four nights' lodging (four participants to a room, each featuring two double beds) in a highly rated, centrally located hotel with on-site staff
  • Hotel night security on each occupied floor to ensure restful nights for performers
  • A 24-hour staffed emergency office in to handle the unexpected
  • 24-hour access to Doctors on Call, our U.S.-based medical support through The George Washington University Hospital, during the program
  • Extensive traveler insurance while on the program

Transportation to and from New York and meals are NOT included in the program.

A set payment plan and need-based scholarships are available.

Is transportation included in the program?


All ground transportation, including shuttling between the designated airport and hotels once in London, is included (for registered participants of the program only). Transportation to and from London is the responsibility of each participant. Because this is a selective program, we encourage you to refrain from booking airline tickets or other travel arrangements until you have received both your acceptance and the specified arrival/departure times and locations.

Will someone meet me at the airport?

Junior Finalists and Family Package participants are given a window of time at a specific London airport during which included transportation to and from the hotel will be provided. Participants should book their flight arrival and departure times to coincide with these periods in order to meet up with program representatives at the airport and take advantage of this included service. Participants arriving or departing outside of these windows will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to or from the assigned hotel.

What if I am arriving into a different airport, or by train or car?

Participants arriving into a different airport than the one assigned, by train, or by car should proceed directly to the official program hotel for registration (details will be provided to Junior Finalists following their selection).

Are meals included?


No, selected Junior Finalists are responsible for purchasing their own meals during the program. At meal times, students are escorted by their Chaperones in small groups to nearby restaurants. The Series team advises Chaperones as to meal options that are suitable and affordable. We generally suggest Finalists plan to spend $45-$55 per day on meals.

Are scholarships available?


The Honors Performance Series is dedicated to bringing together talented student performers across the world.  Need-based partial scholarships are available to ensure that performers from all economic backgrounds are able to experience this unique performance honor. Please call +1-800-503-0807 for more information.

Where do participants stay?


For safety reasons, we do not share the name of our Honors hotel(s) except to accepted Junior Finalists and the Responsible Parties listed on their accounts. All of our hotels are nationally recognized. Each hotel has been chosen for its cleanliness, hospitality, and safe location. Our hotels are student friendly and have been rated highly by students and families who have participated in our programs.

Do I get to choose my roommates?


In general, roommate selection is randomly assigned by gender. Meeting new people and making new friends is a key element of the Middle School Honors Performance Series and roommates enhance the entire experience.

Selected Junior Finalists from the same ensemble are given the opportunity to request to room together following acceptances. While these arrangements cannot be guaranteed ahead of the program, we do our best to accommodate all requests.

If a Junior Finalist is traveling with a family member who has purchased the Full Access Family Program, they may request to room together.

Certain occupancy arrangements require a room surcharge. Please contact us if you would like more information about specific occupancy requests.

How can I reach a Junior Finalist in case of emergency?


During the program, families may call our emergency office (this number will be shared with Junior Finalists and their families before the program). We have staff on-call 24 hours a day who will be able to put you in touch with your child in case of an emergency. Please also note that all Junior Finalists wear a wristband indicating a toll-free number to our support staff in case of an emergency.

With further questions, please contact the Honors Performance Series at +1 (800) 503-0807.

Is there a code of conduct for Junior Finalists?


To ensure a positive experience for all Junior Finalists, participants are required to sign a behavior contract before participating in the Middle School Honors Performance Series.

Do you offer travel insurance?


Yes, the Program & Travel Protection Plan is designed exclusively for Junior Finalists and Family Program participants and represents a great value for program and travel protection. Complete details about the policy will be shared to selected Junior Finalists upon acceptance.

Who do we make checks payable to?


Please make checks payable to the Honors Performance Series. For faster processing, checks should be mailed to the Honors Performance Series at P.O. Box 6276, Charlottesville, VA 22906-6275. Once received, checks sent to our New York address may take an additional 1-2 weeks to process.

How can I ask people to donate to my program fees?


Requesting donations is even easier with our Gift of Performance e-cards. Those closest to you will enjoy their special e-greeting and the opportunity to be a part of your unforgettable experience!
Click here to send e-cards to all of your family and friends! Participants have raised, on average, 20% of their total cost using e-cards. Many have even accumulated donations in excess of $1,500 through this fundraiser alone!

I really enjoyed getting to rehearse every day with people I hadn't met before, and the music was extremely interesting to play. My favorite part was getting to play and finally feeling challenged with a new experience.

Isabella
Junior Finalist

1359 Broadway, Suite 1504,
New York, NY 10018

The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented and operated by WorldStrides.

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