DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR LAURA COSTER, DIRECTOR DESTINATION: NEW YORK CITY/COA FESTIVAL DATES: MARCH 23-27, 2017 SUGGESTED DRAFT ITINERARY AS OF AUGUST 30, 2016

*All times subject to change based on actual flight times THURSDAY, MARCH 23 AM

Group arrives at Chicago Airport - TBD (group provides own transportation to airport)

Your BRT Airport Greeter will meet you at the airport to assist with check in Upon arrival

AM PM Upon Arrival

Begin check-in process and head through security. EVERYONE needs to bring a picture ID along with their ticket. Any traveler 18 yrs or older, will need a state issued id. Keep them handy throughout check-in and security processing. 55 passengers depart Arrive in New York City Area Depart for baggage claim and meet your BRT Tour Director

Please call your tour director upon landing to set up a meeting location

PM Afterward 3:00

PM

Grab lunch at the airport (student cost) Load local motor coach; depart for the Metropolitan Opera House (In Lincoln Center Plaza) Enjoy a backstage tour of the MET (based on schedule and availability) Includes visits to 3 theaters and glimpses at rehearsals in progress at the Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall & the NY State Theater

DRAFT THURSDAY, MARCH 23 CONTINUED… 4:30

PM

5:00

PM

6:00 6:15

PM PM

Walk over to the Hard Rock Café Times Square Enjoy a group dinner The Gold Menu includes choice of cheeseburger or bacon cheeseburger, honey mustard chicken sandwich, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, fire roasted tomato pasta, or an entrée chicken Caesar salad, all served with Hard Rock chocolate chip cookie and a choice of beverage.

7:30

PM

Enjoy free time to shop and explore in Times Square and 5th Avenue Wonderful 5th Avenue also referred to as the "Miracle Mile" and the “Queen of Avenues” is a shopping Mecca in NYC. All the best (and most expensive) stores are located along this Street. If you don't have a million bucks to spare, stroll along for some great window shopping. Shops such as the Tiffany & Co., Hugo Boss, Prada and much more are all within walking distance! You will also pass some of the city’s most fantastic architecture such as Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral etc.

At Leisure

Load motor coach; depart for Row NYC Hotel 700 8th Ave New York, NY 10036 212-869-3600 Check in; freshen up for the evening’s activities

Head back to the hotel and rest up for the morning’s activities!

- Private Night Time Security at the hotel from 10:30pm – 5:30am-

DRAFT FRIDAY, MARCH 24 *All times and activities subject to change based on COA itinerary once finalized 6:00 7:00

AM AM

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel Load motor coach; depart for Aaron Copland School of Music-Queens College

8:30

AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM

Arrive and check in at Queens College-Music Building Atrium Lobby XChange/ A Meeting of Voices led by Tesfa Wondemagegnedu Break Broadway 101 workshop with Broadway Actors Lunch at the festival site (BOXED lunch delivered) Downers Grove South HS Choir adjudicated performance Observational Requirement enjoy another choir’s performance One hour post concert clinic (clinician TBD) Clinic end-break

5:45 7:00

PM PM

Load motor coach; depart for Cucina & Company- Rockfellar Center Enjoy a group dinner Buffet to include: soft drinks, dinner rolls & butter, Caesar salad, Chicken Parmigianna, Penne Pomodoro, Sauteed vegetables and chocolate or vanilla cupcakes. Walk as a group to the hotel

8:30 PM

- Private Night Time Security at the hotel from 10:30pm – 5:30am-

DRAFT SATURDAY, MARCH 25 7:30 8:30

AM AM AM

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel Load motor coach; depart for 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tour the museum (timed entry- TBD) This 16-acre site features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each aboutan acre in size, set within the footprints of the original twin towers. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, and creates a contemplative space separate from the usual sights and sounds of a bustling metropolis.

Don’t Forget Visit Battery Park to view the Statue of Liberty!!

12:15

PM PM

Lunch on your own in the area (student cost) Load motor coach; depart for the Rehearsal Location (TBD)

1:00

PM

1:30 3:30

PM PM

Arrive and prepare for rehearsal-This is a closed rehearsal-director All singers bring a copy of the massed choir sheet music and a pencil Massed Choir rehearsalRehearsal ends.

3:45

PM PM PM

Load motor coach; depart for the hotel Freshen up for the evening’s activities Enjoy an early Dinner at the hotel

PM PM

Depart on foot for Stern Auditorium/Carnegie Hall Group meets Backstage at Stern Auditorium/Carnegie HallThis is a CLOSED rehearsal, only singers & Director allowed* Concert Logistics + Rehearsal Doors Open at Carnegie Hall-chaperones Choral Convergence Concert- Carnegie Hall Concert Ends

PM PM PM PM 10:30 PM

Walk back to the hotel

- Private Night Time Security at the hotel from 10:30pm – 5:30am-

DRAFT SUNDAY, MARCH 26 7:30 8:30

AM AM

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel Check out *Bags will be pulled from the rooms at 10:00am*

9:00 9:15 9:30

AM AM AM

Walk over to Rockefeller Center Meet at the Top of the Rock Entrance Experience Top of the Rock Whether you want to marvel at the rich history of New York City, spend a leisurely afternoon gazing out at the famous skyline, or learn the geography of the city, TOP OF THE ROCK™ is the best centerpiece for every trip to New York. Lunch on your own in the area (student cost)

PM 12:30 PM 1:00 PM

Meet at your designated Theatre Enjoy a Matinee Broadway Show! (based on availability and 2017 schedule)

4:00

Load motor coach; depart for New York LaGuardia Airport (or similar)

PM

Upon arrival

Begin check-in process and head through security. EVERYONE needs to bring a picture ID along with their ticket. Any traveler 18 yrs or older, will need a state issued id. Keep them handy throughout check-in and security processing.

PM

Dinner at the airport (student cost)

PM PM

55 passengers depart Arrive in Chicago

Upon Arrival

Depart for baggage claim

Afterward

Head home! (group provides own transportation home)