03/13/12

Dear Parents, 

Salzburg has turned out to be informative, charming, fun, beautiful.... On Monday we had a guided tour of Old Salzburg, a charming pedestrian area with historic buildings and many shops and key filming spots for The Sound of Music. Today we continued our Sound of Music Tour with a drive out to Munsee where the wedding was filmed. This small village had charm and beauty and the church was awe inspiring. We saw the beautiful lakes and snowy mountains that come to mind when you think of Austria. It is more beautiful than you can imagine. You will see what I mean when you view the pictures. As a group we must have taken thousands. We also had a special adventure today that was as fun as it was unusual. A tour of the salt mines that caused the name of Salzburg - salt village. I cannot describe it here because it would take too many words! Your musicians will talk of it for years, it will be a memory to treasure. Finally, we celebrated birthdays today. Abhi, Claudia and Iana all passed milestones and we celebrated with them. Our guide also had a birthday - the big 4-0 - so we had to celebrate that! Ms. Brettmann and Ms. Brooks came up with extremely humorous lyrics to a Sound of Music tune and the whole group learned it and sang it to him. He was touched and a great time was had by all. Travis and Casey performed a beautiful stylized version of Happy Birthday to thundering applause. We head out early tomorrow to the Czech Republic. The kids are being their usual wonderful selves. Parents, they are exhibiting very best behavior, so you should be very proud. More on Friday if I get time during our layover.

03/11/12

Dear Parents, 

The hills are alive with the sound of music.... Not the von Trapps, but your amazing performers! We had uneventful flights, but they were long and the jet lag is hard to shake. Your wonderful musicians were up for the task and performed an amazing, best ever concert. The house was full, over 300 in attendance, and the acoustics in this beautiful hall where Mozart once stood were near perfection. The result - a standing ovation and many warm compliments. We head to Salzburg tomorrow where we will tour this beautiful little city. Might be raining, but that won't stop the exuberance. All is well. There is a stomach ache or two, but the group is doing great. Right now they are jamming in the common area while waiting for room check. They are a wonderful group and we are proud of their performance, their behavior and the wonderful parents who allowed them to travel. 

Ms. B

03/08/12

Dear Parents Travelers,

Tomorrow is THE day! First some exciting news. Ms. Vandiver received an email from someone wanting tickets...and it was in German!!! We forwarded that to the tour company and they said we should have a full house. 300 seats sold out! We are on the US embassy list of events and they have advertised extensively. I will try to get copies to forward.

Ok, last word on tomorrow....

Everyone but one were able to pick up their trip shirts. Wear them tomorrow. They will be our travel shirts and this is mandatory for all students. Adults, this is optional.

Bring your bags to the auditorium. Orchestra classes will be held for those who are not traveling and we don't want to disturb that.

We want everyone here by 10:00 AM but a little earlier is A-OK. Ms. Baldwin will have a checkoff list. Show her your passport and make sure she checks you off. Everyone bring resin. Basses and cellos,don't forget rock stops. There won't be any there.

Schedule:

09:00 AM Chaperone Meeting

09:30 AM Begin weighing bags (60 pounds for checked)

10:30 AM All bags to the curb (unless it is pouring)

10:45 AM Load Bus

11:00 AM Depart - DO NOT be the one to make us late!

01:00 PM Group check in at Terminal D

                  See below for departure times

  Ms. B 281-381-7783

Forecast:

03/09  Fri       Houston         Low: 56    High: 62   Thunderstorms
03/10  Sat      Vienna            Low: 33    High: 54    Mostly Sunny
03/11  Sun     Vienna            Low: 36    High: 49   Few Showers
03/12  Mon    Vienna            Low: 34    High: 49    Partly Cloudy
03/13  Tue     Salzburg         Low: 30    High: 46   Sunny
03/14  Wed    Salz/Prague   Low: 32    High: 51   Sunny                  
03/15  Thu     Prague             Low: 35   High: 58   Sunny
03/16  Fri       Prague/Hou    Low: 37    HIgh: 76

Current exchange rate - $1 = 0.7602 euro, 1 euro= $1.3270

Flights:

Royal Dutch
03/09    KL0662    04:05PM to 08:15AM    Houston to Amsterdam
03/10    KL1848    11:45AM to 01:40PM    Amsterdam to Vienna

Air France
03/09    AF0639    04:20PM to 08:35AM    Houston to Paris
03/10    AF1738    12:35PM to 02:35PM    Paris to Vienna

03/08/12

Dear Parents Travelers,

I completely forgot Daylight Savings Time happens here this weekend! Spring forward everyone. What does this mean for the trip? Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is a 7 hour time difference. After that - 6 hours. Just so you know! In Austria they switch at the end of March.

Please see HERE, print, fill out and bring 2 copies to school. Tonight would be great but I MUST have it before you can get on the bus.

Check out this weather, it is getting better and better. Days of sunshine have been added!

Ms. B 281-381-7783

Forecast:
03/09  Fri       Houston         Low: 56    High: 62   Thunderstorms
03/10  Sat      Vienna            Low: 33    High: 54    Mostly Sunny
03/11  Sun     Vienna            Low: 36    High: 49   Few Showers
03/12  Mon    Vienna            Low: 34    High: 49    Partly Cloudy
03/13  Tue     Salzburg         Low: 30    High: 46   Sunny
03/14  Wed    Salz/Prague   Low: 32    High: 51   Sunny
03/15  Thu     Prague             Low: 35   High: 58   Sunny
03/16  Fri       Prague/Hou    Low: 37    HIgh: 76

Current exchange rate - $1 = 0.7609 euro, 1 euro= $1.3142

Flights:

Royal Dutch
03/09    KL0662    04:05PM to 08:15AM    Houston to Amsterdam
03/10    KL1848    11:45AM to 01:40PM    Amsterdam to Vienna
03/16    KL1352    09:15AM to 11:00AM    Prague to Amsterdam
03/16    KL0641    01:25PM to 04:35PM    Amsterdam to JFK
03/16    DL3145    06:59PM to 10:26PM    JFK to Houston

Air France
03/09    AF0639    04:20PM to 08:35AM    Houston to Paris
03/10    AF1738    12:35PM to 02:35PM    Paris to Vienna
03/16    AF1083    07:25AM to 09:10AM    Prague to Paris
03/16    DF0636    10:30AM to 03:10 PM    Paris to Houston

03/07/12

Dear Parents Travelers,

By the way...

Be sure to look at your passport to see if you have signed it. About 25% of you haven't!

Ms. B 281-381-7783

Forecast:

03/09  Fri       Houston         Low: 57    High: 67    Rain

03/10  Sat      Vienna            Low: 31    High: 48   Showers

03/11  Sun     Vienna            Low: 35    High: 51   Showers

03/12  Mon   Vienna            Low: 38    High: 48    Cloudy

03/13  Tue     Salzburg         Low: 32    High: 46    Showers

03/14  Wed   Salz/Prague    Low: 32    High: 50   Partly Cloudy               

03/15  Thu    Prague             Low: 37    High: 52   Sunny                           

03/16  Fri      Prague/Hou    Low: 37    HIgh: 75

Current exchange rate - $1 = 0.7609 euro, 1 euro= $1.3142

Flights:

Royal Dutch

03/09    KL0662    04:05PM to 08:15AM    Houston to Amsterdam

03/10    KL1848    11:45AM to 01:40PM    Amsterdam to Vienna

03/16    KL1352    09:15AM to 11:00AM    Prague to Amsterdam

03/16    KL0641    01:25PM to 04:35PM    Amsterdam to JFK

03/16    DL3145    06:59PM to 10:26PM    JFK to Houston

Air France

03/09    AF0639    04:20PM to 08:35AM    Houston to Paris

03/10    AF1738    12:35PM to 02:35PM    Paris to Vienna

03/16    AF1083    07:25AM to 09:10AM    Prague to Paris

03/16    DF0636    10:30AM to 03:10 PM    Paris to Houston

01/05/12

Dear Parents, Students and Chaperones,

Current temp in Vienna -- 39 at 8AM CST, Current exchange rate - $1 = 0.7764 euro, 1 euro= $1.288

Thank you to all who sent in payments to start off the New Year! The response to my last email was tremendous. It will take a few days to update your Charms account but thanks again for sending!

This email is about your passport and its information. If you do not yet have your passport, DO NOT DELAY. Time is running short. Please see HERE for info on getting your passport. You can apply at any post office. Most will require an appointment but I think the post  office at Walmart in Richmond has passport hours but does not require an appointment. You can also go to the county courthouse or several other locations. Be sure to call first so you don’t waste a trip. If you already have a passport, please check the expiration date. If it is before September 2012, please renew. You must not be within 6 months of expiration when you travel.

I also received many passport images and thank you so much for those. We are now late putting names on flight reservations. Security will be very tight and that is a wonderful thing, however, your documents MUST match the name on the flight reservation. Please look at your travel documents and tell me the name ON THE DOCUMENTS. Any abbreviations or nicknames are not allowed unless they are also on your passport. I MUST HAVE THESE NAMES ASAP!!! If you are waiting for your passport, PLEASE send me your full name as it will appear. We must turn these in to complete the flights and will be charged a penalty if we do not do so immediately.

IF YOUR NAME IS ON THE LIST IN THE EMAIL SENT, I DO NOT HAVE YOUR PASSPORT NAME INFO. Chaperones, I am just getting all of you on the distribution, so sorry you are just getting notice. Please do this ASAP and thanks.

12/13/11
Dear Parents and Students,

Current temp in Vienna -- 43 at 1PM CST, Current exchange rate - $1 = 0.76, 1= $1.31

Christmas is fast upon us but I want to take time to remind you about our wonderful Austrian travels coming at Spring Break. The trip planning progresses and you will be amazed at the wonderful sights and sounds. THERE ARE STILL A FEW SLOTS LEFT, IT WOULD BE A TERRIFIC CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO PUT YOUR OR YOUR STUDENT'S NAME ON THE ROSTER!

The travel company in Austria does a wonderful job and has set up a website for you to access. It describes the trip in chronological order and tantalizes you with what you can only imagine now. Please take the time to go to this site. Look around and get excited all over again. http://Concerts-austria.com/austin . Each email I send now will have a file attached with something detailed about the trip. Enjoy!

There are a few maintenance items:

FIRST - Please get up to date on your payments. We have already made two major payments to the tour company and our funds are depleted. If you have been paying monthly, THANK YOU! If not, please catch up. We must be paid in full by early February.  You can check the payments credited to each traveler by checking in Charms. E-mail if you have questions.

SECOND -- It is time to put names on flight reservations. Security will be very tight and that is a wonderful thing, however, your documents MUST match the name on the flight reservation. Please look at your travel documents and tell me the name ON THE DOCUMENTS. Any abbreviations or nicknames are not allowed unless they are also on your passport.

THIRD -- Please open your passport to the page that has your image and the passport number. Copy or scan that page and send it to me via e-mail or fax. RLNZ@sbcglobal.net,  Fax: 281-220-6452

We have a venue in Vienna for our performance -- The Orangerie at the Sch enbrunn

See HERE for detailed info

In 1754 Franz I Stephan instigated the building of the Orangery. One hundred and eighty-nine metres long and ten metres wide, the Sch nbrunn Orangery is one of the two largest Baroque orangeries in the world, the other being at Versailles. Joseph II was especially fond of holding celebrations in the Orangery with festively-decorated banqueting tables, ranks of flowering plants and illuminations in the citrus trees. During a winter festivity in 1786 Mozart conducted his Singspiel "The Impresario" here.

The rear part of the Orangery is still used in its original function, while the front section, which has been renovated, is used for events such as the Sch nbrunn Palace Concert series and other visiting artists.

09/11/11

Dear Parents,

As of this update we have filled our first charter bus and are well on the way to filling the second. There are many more getting their ducks in a row and we fully anticipate filling this trip to its capacity.

Thanks to all who were able to come to the parent trip meeting last week. Discussion was lively and lots of good questions were covered.

Key Questions:

Is it too late to sign up? - Absolutely not! We will still accept new travelers but we need to know your commitments as soon as possible.

But I am behind on payments per the Trip Agreement - We understand that. Please let us know how you anticipate making payments and we will work with you. All payments must be complete by end of January.

What if my child needs medical attention - We will be traveling with a physician. Medical history forms will provide required info and your travelers will be in good hands.

What is the first step? - Get your papers in order. Go get a passport. If you already have one, makes ssure it does not expire prior to 09/15/2012 or you will need to renew. Local post offices can handle the application process. Sugar Land post offices need an appointment, The post office in Richmond by Walmart will not require an appointment. You can also go to the courthouse. There are required documents so see the link above about passports.

All key documents are linked above. Read them and realize what a thrill this trip will be!

Thanks,
Ms. Baldwin

09/01/11

Dear Potential Travelers,

Don't forget the Trip meeting tonight.

You should try to come if.....

You are traveling with us

You are thinking about it

You can't travel but want to know what this is all about!

WHO: All of AHSO and AHSB

WHAT: Austria Trip Meeting

WHERE: Orchestra Hall

WHEN: Tonight! 09/01/11m 7PM

Thanks!

Ms. B

08/29/11

Dear Parents and Students,

Much excitement has been buzzing about our spring trip to Austria and the Czech Republic. Thanks to all of you who have decided to travel with us. It will be unforgettable.

Still trying to decide? Should I send my student? Should we make this a family outing? I can't go but sure would like to know what happens on one of these trips.... you are all welcome.

Ms. Vandiver and I will be at AHS on Thursday evening to give an overview of the trip, handout the tentative itinerary, provide helpful traveler advice and to answer all questions.

All AHSO and AHSB members and parents are welcome and encouraged to come.

WHO:    All who want info on the spring trip

WHAT:  Come get handouts and we will stay until all questions are done

WHERE: AHS Orchestra Room, J-Hall, AHS

WHEN:   Thursday evening, Sep 01, 2011, 7:00PM

If you wish to be removed from trip e-mail distribution, please reply to this e-mail and request that. I will remove you. Thank you.

Linda Baldwin, Trip Coordinator
Austin Orchestra Booster Association
RLNZ@sbcglobal.net
281-381-7783 

07/29/11

Dear Potential AHS World Travelers,

As I emailed to you last week, we have an amazing opportunity to travel and explore history and culture in Vienna, Salzburg and Prague. All will take place at Spring Break 2012. I have been on this excursion before and I can assure you it is a life-changing experience: a guided tour of three of Europe's most exciting cities on a charter bus and all stops carefully planned for a group of our interests.

Your first concern will be the cost per traveler and we are setting the cost at $3200.00. Attached is the trip agreement and payment schedule and we do need a $400 deposit per traveler as soon as possible. Since the trip is at Spring Break, grade eligibility will not apply. Normally we don't itemize costs at such an early stage because they will change, but in the current economy, we want all to know exactly what we are facing.

Here is how it breaks out per traveler:

$     17.27       Buses to and from IAH

$2508.99       Air, Charter Bus, 6 nights hotel, daily activities, a guide on each bus, all meals included, one performance venue booked by an Austrian tour company.

$  647.48        Taxes and Fuel Add-On Fee

$    46.94        Instrument Rental/Ship

$3231.47       TOTAL

Yes, this totals more than $3200.00 but we will count on donations and fundraisers to make up that difference. It is to be expected that the trip cost is higher now than in 2007 but we are being hit especially hard by the value of the dollar and the considerably higher fuel costs. Barring the unforeseen, the tour company is committed to keeping this cost unchanged at $3200. Last time they were able to hold the cost without change throughout the entire process.

If any parent works for a company that may consider a donation, please ask them or contact me and I will check with them. Please brainstorm fundraising ideas. These will need to be in addition to the usual fundraisers necessary to support the school activities so think about things that will not cost parents who are already paying for the trip but will get support from the community. A good example is a carwash. For virtually no expense and six hour's time $500 can be raised. The more we raise, the less cost per traveler.

On our last trip we took 40 non-performing family members -- parents, grandparents and siblings. That made the trip a wonderful family experience for many. I hope students and family members will be able to share in this adventure. I have already heard from so many of you and your questions are welcome. Please, come join us!

Thanks,
Ms. Baldwin
Trip Coordinator

07/21/11

Dear Parents and Students,

We have the most exciting news for all of AHSO! Many months ago we received a letter of invitation from Dr. Heinz Shaden, the mayor of Salzburg, Austria (see attached). He would like Austin High School Orchestra to visit this beautiful city and perhaps perform there.

After months of calls, planning, requests and meetings, the FBISD Board of Directors has graciously approved our request to take this trip!

What does this mean to each of you? Your dream of a wonderful European tour - immersed in history, culture and exciting activities -- traveling with orchestra friends -- led by incredibly informed guides -- all rooms, meals, events, transport meticulously planned and included -- this is now about to become reality. Stops already included are Salzburg, Prague and Vienna.

Who is eligible to go? All students, siblings, parents of AHS Orchestra and AHS Band

When will we go? Spring Break -- March 2012 -- leaving Friday before Spring Break for one week

How much will it cost?  That is still to be determined. We have locked down the flights but much has to be decided. Fuel costs are our main concern and are double what we paid in 2006/2007. We should have a trip agreement and payment schedule ready by end of this week.

What do I do first?  Family Meeting! Everyone will have to be involved in this decision, start the conversation and decide who can go. Check your calendar, make your list of questions then email Ms. Baldwin (RLNZ@sbcglobal.net) if you need to ask anything, yes, anything.

Next?  Make a deposit of $400 per traveler. All checks made out to AOBA and mail or drop off at AHS. Make sure Ms. Vandiver's name is on all envelopes. PayPal will be available starting Monday through Charms.

This is the first of lots of information so check your email regularly. It's going to be a wonderful adventure!

Thanks,
Ms. Baldwin
Trip Coordinator