YOUNG ADULT | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Finalist Messages
Congratulations on your selection as a Finalist for the 2019 Honors Performance Series!
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 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 Sydney. Below is copy of each update sent to 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.
June 21
We are excited to share that the sheet music for Ave Maria, as well as Dr. Redding’s rehearsal notes, are now available on the “Music” tab of the Finalist Update Page (password “OperaHouse19”). As a reminder, Ave Maria will not be mailed to you, so please plan on printing a copy to use as you rehearse before and during the program.
If you live in the US or Canada, your sheet music for all other pieces is in the mail and should arrive to your mailbox within the next week.
Have a great weekend!
June 20
We are writing today with several important updates related to your participation in the High School Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House. As our time in Sydney quickly approaches, the Honors team is busy making plans for an awesome experience. We ask that you help us make the best plans possible by very carefully reviewing all the information below and providing us with the requested information. As always, a summary of all our Series updates is available at www.honorsperformance.org/ya-soh-updates. The password to access this page is “OperaHouse19”.
Rehearsing for the Honors Performance: Your Conductor and ensemble are counting on you to be prepared when you arrive in Sydney. Remember, your Conductor prepared rehearsal notes and they are posted in the Music section of the Update Page. Please review them carefully as you prepare. We are looking forward to hearing your beautiful music very soon!
Important Deadlines: Please note that the items below are required on or before June 30; failure meet these deadlines may result in your removal from the program.
- Program Listing: Please check your email for a confirmation of your name as it will be listed in the program given out at the Honors Performance. If your name is listed incorrectly in your email, you must reply to our email with your correct name no later than June 30.
- Pre-Travel Forms: The below forms will provide the Series team with critical information and are required for your participation. Please click the links below to submit this information to us no later than June 30.
- Medical Form: In case of emergency while you are in Sydney, the Series requires all Finalists to complete and return a Medical Release Form that we will keep on-file.
- Finalist Travel Information: Please provide us with a summary of your travel plans.
- Rules & Regulations/Behavior Contract: Lastly, Finalists are asked to review and sign the Honors Behavior Contract indicating their acceptance of the Series Rules and Regulations.
Upcoming Program Communications: We know you are excited to receive a finalized itinerary, information about your rooming, and other details. We will be in touch in mid-July with additional pre-program confirmations.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team with questions. We can be reached by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 between 8:30a and 5:00p Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
June 12
We have received word from Sydney Opera House that tickets for the Honors Performance on August 4 will go on sale tomorrow, June 13! Our team receives a number of questions regarding performance tickets, which we have summarized below for your review. Please contact our team by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 if you have any questions not answered below.
- Where do I buy concert tickets?
Tickets must be purchased via the Opera House Box Office (we suggest using their online Calendar of Events). As a reminder, the concert is on Sunday, August 4. The Honors Performance will be published on the online calendar as soon as tickets are available for purchase. - Can I purchase concert tickets from the Honors Performance Series?
Each Family Program enrollment includes a priority seat to the Honors Performance for that individual registrant. Individuals wishing to obtain a ticket without enrolling in the Family Program must do so through the Opera House (see details above); priority tickets are available only as part of the Family Program. - Do Finalists receive tickets to the Honors Performance?
Each Finalist receives one concert ticket for him/herself (to watch the other Honors Ensembles before and/or after performing). Any loved ones wishing to see the performance must purchase tickets through the Sydney Opera House box office or by enrolling in an Honors Family Program. - Can loved ones still enroll in the Family Program?
We do have a few remaining spaces available in both Family Programs. As online enrollment is now closed, anyone interested in registering should call our team at +1-800-503-0807 for assistance.
Finalists, we hope you have enjoyed rehearsing thus far. We are all looking forward to a beautiful concert in early August!
June 3
We are pleased to share that your sheet music is now available for download! We know that you are excited to start practicing, and this email will provide details on which part you should prepare for each piece as well as how you can access your sheet music and rehearsal notes from your Conductor.
Part Assignments, Sheet Music, and Rehearsal Notes:
Each Finalist's notification email is personalized with the part you should prepare; please reference your email for this information so you can begin rehearsing your assigned part.
To access your electronic sheet music, visit the Music section of the Finalist Update Page (password “OperaHouse19”) and click the name of each piece. If you live in the US or Canada, paper copies of your sheet music are being mailed to you and will arrive later this month. To help you prepare, we have additionally arranged for you to have access to online music tracks. Links to instructions on accessing and using these files can be found in the Music section, along with your sheet music. You should plan to bring your sheet music to Sydney with you, bound in a simple black binder, to use during rehearsals.
Please Note: the publisher has informed us that Ave Maria is unfortunately backordered and will not be available to mail out prior to the program. We will notify you by email when the electronic score is available to download and print; you should plan to rehearse from your printed copy prior to and during the program.
Dr. Redding is preparing rehearsal notes that will be available on the Music page of the Finalist Update page later this month. We will send an email update when those are posted so you may reference them as you continue to prepare for the program.
Upcoming Final Payment Deadline:
Please remember that this Friday, June 7, is the deadline to remit your final program balance, finalize any special rooming requests, and pay for any rooming or account upgrades. Please click here to double-check your account balance; unless you have already arranged for an extended payment plan with our team, your balance must be paid in full on or before Friday.
Sydney Opera House Concert Tickets:
We are awaiting final word from Sydney Opera House as to when tickets for the Honors Performance will go on sale to the public. We will send another update email prior to the on-sale date. As a reminder, one priority ticket to the Honors Performance is included with Family Program registration; any loved ones not participating in the Family Program should purchase tickets through the Sydney Opera House box office.
2020 Application:
We are now accepting applications for our 2020 Young Adult Honors Choir, which will be hosted at Carnegie Hall! Use your Customer Account Number in place of an Invitation Number when applying to bypass the nomination requirement. Applications completed by June 26 are eligible for first-round review and a reduced application deposit.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team with questions. We can be reached by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 between 8:30a and 5:00p Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Have fun practicing!
May 03
We hope you are enjoying familiarizing yourselves with the program repertoire. Later this month, we will email a link to the sheet music so Finalists can begin rehearsing in preparation for a beautiful Sydney Opera House performance!
In the meantime, we are touching base today with several updates regarding your participation. As always, important program information and a summary of our email updates can be referenced on the Finalist Update Page (password “OperaHouse19” one-word, case-sensitive).
- Payment Deadline – If you have not already settled your program balance in full, please remember that the final two payment deadlines are today, May 3, and Friday, June 7. Click here to review your balance and remit payment ($300 for Finalists; $175 for Full access Family; $60 for Weekend Family).
- Pre-Order a Commemorative CD – If you would like to have a memento of the program repertoire, we encourage you to pre-order a CD prior to the program. Due to licensing restrictions, our commemorative audio CDs are recorded during rehearsals and are mailed out approximately 10-12 weeks after the performance. Concert photos will additionally be made available 2-3 weeks after the program. Click here to pre-order your CD or order other Series memorabilia.
- Travel Documentation for Non-Australian Citizens – As outlined on the Finalist Update Page, Finalists and Family Program participants who are not Australian citizens must possess a current passport and arrange for an Australian visa. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to review your passport status and expiration date, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of your trip. Depending on your citizenship, most Series participants can obtain a tourist visa through Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority website.
Please Note: All arrangements and costs associated with the necessary travel documentation are the responsibility of the participant; the Series is not responsible for processing delays or decisions on visa applications made by the relevant embassies or consulates.
As always, our team is available to assist with any questions by return email or by phone at +1-800-503-0807 (Monday through Friday, 8:30a to 5:00p Eastern).
March 27
We know you are eager to learn about the music you will perform this summer, and we are pleased to announce that your Conductor’s selected repertoire is now available to view on the Music section of the Finalist Update Page (password “OperaHouse19” one-word, case-sensitive)!
Dr. Redding is looking forward to making beautiful music with you this summer and has selected these pieces to highlight your talent and range. Sheet music and part assignments will be shared in early May; we encourage you to begin familiarizing yourself with online recordings of each piece so you are familiar with the repertoire when the sheet music is sent out.
In addition, please take note of the following important reminders:
- Payment Deadline – As a reminder, the next program payment is due Monday, April 1. Click here to review your balance and remit payment ($300 for Finalists; $175 for Full Access Family; $60 for Weekend Family) if you have not already. Payments are managed through WorldStrides, our program logistics partner.Our team is making plans for your time in Sydney, and your participation is contingent upon timely payment of all installments due. If you have fallen behind on your payments, please do your best to bring your account current no later than the April 1 payment deadline. Our team will be reviewing accounts in early/mid April and may cancel participants who have not adhered to the payment schedule. If you are concerned about making your payments, or would like to discuss alternate payment options, please reach out to our team and we will be happy to work with you.
- Travel Logistics & Group Flight Availability – If you have not already booked your flights, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. If you would like to take advantage of program airport shuttles in Sydney, follow the guidelines outlined on the Finalist Update Page when booking your travel plans. We do have a handful of seats left on our Group Flight to and from LAX; additional information is available on our website.
- Family Program Availability – We’re pleased to share that there is still limited space available in our Family Programs. Please review the Family Programs page of our website to register and review inclusions.
We hope you are getting excited for this once-in-a-lifetime music and performance opportunity! Do not hesitate to contact us by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 if our team can be of assistance in any way.
January 29
We’re writing to you today with several important updates related to your participation in the 2019 Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House. Please review the information below carefully and reach out with any questions.
As always, please remember that a summary of all our Series updates is available on the Finalist Update Page. The password to access this page is “OperaHouse19” (one-word, case-sensitive). Please review the important information below and contact our team if you have any questions.
- Series Hotel – We are pleased to confirm that Young Adult Finalists and Family Program Participants will be staying at the Mercure Sydney. The Mercure hosted our High School program in 2018 and is conveniently located adjacent to the Central Railway Station in downtown Sydney.
- Travel Logistics & Group Flight Availability – We recommend that you make your travel arrangements as soon as possible, as international flight fares can rise significantly over a few weeks’ time. The Series is pleased to offer Young Adult Finalists and Full Access Family the option to purchase a seat for our Honors Group Flight to and from LAX. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and include transportation between SYD Airport and the Series hotel. Please visit honorsperformance.org/sydney-air for more information about the Group Flight.
- More about Your Conductor – Working with world-class conductors is an important component of the Honors Performance Series. We are excited to announce that your Conductor, Dr. Jeffery Redding, has recently been named a finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award. We encourage you to watch the broadcast on Sunday, February 10, to see if he is selected! Additional information about Dr. Redding is available on the Music section of the Finalist Update Page. We will be sending additional information about the repertoire he has selected in the coming weeks and know you will enjoy learning from him!
- Payment Deadline – The third program payment is due this Friday, February 1. Click here to remit your payment ($300 US for Finalists; $175 US for Full Access Family; $60 US for Weekend Family) if you have not already. Payments are managed through WorldStrides, our program logistics partner. As always, you may access the Online Payment Portal via the Finalist Update page or make a payment over the phone.
- Family Program Availability – We are pleased to share there is still limited space available on both of our Family Programs. Click here for more information and to register.
- Follow the Carnegie Hall Series – Our Finalists for the 2019 High School and Young Adult Honors Performance Series will be arriving in New York in just over a week! We hope you will follow along on Facebook from February 7-11 as we share photos and videos.
As always, our team is available by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 to answer any questions. We continue to be in touch with additional updates in the coming months, including more information about the repertoire for the 2019 Honors Performance at Sydney Opera House!
November 29
Greetings from the Honors Performance Series! We’re writing today with the first of several email updates that you will receive over the next few months. As always, please remember that a summary of all our Series updates is available on the Finalist Update Page. The password to access this page is “OperaHouse19” (one-word, case-sensitive). Please review the important information below and contact our team if you have any questions.
- Upcoming Deadlines – Please keep in mind the following important deadlines:
- Finalist Confirmation Form due tomorrow, November 30: If you have not already, please provide us with some important confirmation, such as your rooming requests and preferences. Please note that, due to the volume of forms received, it may take up to 7-10 business days following receipt of your Confirmation Form for our team to update your account.
- Program Payment due tomorrow, November 30: $300 for Finalists; $175 for Full Access Family; $60 for Weekend Family. Payments will be managed through WorldStrides, our program logistics partner.
- Family Program Confirmation Form (only for Family Program registrants) due December 28: This form is specifically for Family Program registrants and will provide us important information so we can plan for your time in Sydney. If you have not already submitted this form, please note your personal Customer Account Number, which is listed above and is different than your Finalist’s Account Number, when completing the form. Please note that, due to the volume of forms received, it may take up to 7-10 business days following receipt of your Confirmation Form for our team to update your account. Any requests that require additional payments will be automatically charged to your credit card in this timeframe.
- Family Program Availability – As mentioned in our prior update, space will be reserved for all loved ones who register for a Family Program on or before November 30. After this date, additional family registrants will be accepted on a space-available basis. We hope your family and friends will take part in this exciting experience with us in Sydney!
- Facebook Group – If you haven’t already, we hope you will join in the conversation in our 2019 Young Adult Sydney Opera House Finalists Facebook group.
As always, please contact our team by return email or at +1-800-503-0807 with any questions.
October 31
Congratulations! We are extremely pleased to notify you that you have been accepted as a Finalist for the 2019 Young Adult Honors Performance Series. The Selection Board has reviewed your application and chosen you to represent the finest young adult performers internationally by performing at Sydney Opera House. Your acceptance into this elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in your application.
Recognition as a Finalist is the first step toward performing with the Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House under the direction of renowned conductor Dr. Jeffery Redding. Please visit the Finalist Update page, referenced below, to complete the Confirmation Form as soon as possible and no later than November 30. Your place in the program is guaranteed pending timely receipt of this form; if you indicate you are unable to attend, we will offer your place to a First-Runner up.
Take note of your Customer Account Number, listed above, for all future communications regarding your participation in the Sydney Opera House program; this number is different than your Invitation Number and may also be different from the Customer Account Number you received when you applied.
Important information about the program is available on a special, password-protected web page created exclusively for Finalists and loved ones. Please review all information very carefully in entirety; these materials include important information that is critical to participation in the Series. The Finalist Update Page contains information to help plan your travel to Sydney, program details, your Conductor’s biography, details about available Family Programs and the optional Group Flight, travel insurance, fundraising tips, and much more!
| Finalist Update Page:
URL: www.honorsperformance.org/ya-soh-updates Case-Sensitive Password: OperaHouse19 |
Once again, congratulations on being selected for the Young Adult Honors Performance Series at Sydney Opera House. You and your family should be very proud of this accomplishment. Our team looks forward to welcoming you to Sydney on July 31!
The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented and operated by WorldStrides.
