Italy 2010

Italy Trip Newsletter
Distributed at March 2 Meeting

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Carolyn Dufort, Trip Chair CarDufort@aol.com
Lori Ingle, Trip Treasurer loriingle@comcast.net

What will the dress code be for Band and Orchestra performances?
We now have an official Concert Dress Code for students--for performances at home and abroad. You can find it at http://lghsmusic.net/files/dresscode.pdf.
MEN are required to wear a black jacket and slacks, white shirt, and black tie. Black ties for the men are available at $16 a tie if you place your order by the end of Friday, February 12. If you are interested, please go to http://lghsmusic.net/files/tie%20order%20form.pdf to place your order.
WOMEN are to be in ALL black with details specified on our dresscode description.
Questions? Contact Robin Wu roppy@comcast.net

What will the dress code be for Color Guard performances?
This will be determined by Mr. Fortino, respecting to the tradition of modesty of the Italian culture and our performance venues.

What will the dress code be for touring?
On performance days, our students will be wearing their black polo shirts and black pants. Please make certain that you know where your polo shirt is. We have a limited number available for purchase. You may order a polo shirt ($20 each) by contacting Deirdre Hanford deirdre.hanford@synopsys.com
On non-performance days, business casual dress will be permitted. However, tank tops, short shorts/skirts, and ripped jeans will not be permitted.

Which instruments will be carry-on luggage?
Flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoon, alto saxes, trumpets, and violins are being considered "carry-on" luggage.
KI Concerts states:
Where possible the carry-on instruments should be packed inside the person’s carry-on bag. The violins are slightly oversize as carry-on pieces. We have had no problem to date with violins going as carry-on despite being slightly too big but I just want to alert you to this.
In addition to the one carry-on item, you are allowed 1 small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, etc.

What are the Lufthansa baggage allowances?
Checked luggage: One piece of baggage not to exceed 62 linear inches and 44 pounds
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/lb/info_and_services/baggage?n...

What should I pack?
Performance attire as described above
Band/Guard Polo Shirt and black pants
Black shoes and socks
Folding Music Stand (Stand partners can share) (we will collect these after the Farewell Concert
and put all stands in two suitcases)
Instrument (extra reeds, cork oil, slide grease, etc.)
**Drumsticks and mallets must be packed in CHECKED luggage.
**Pad your instrument with bubble wrap.
**Snap-together strap to put around checked instruments.
Modest Casual clothing for non-performance days
**Change of clothing in Carryon is advised.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Sweater/Sweatshirt
Sleeping Attire
Waterproof jacket
Collapsible umbrella
Small notebook (handy for taking notes and keeping a log of your trip)
Watch (to get back to the bus on time)
Travel Alarm Clock
Hand Sanitizer (liquid or wipes)
Small and large plastic bags
Toiletries- toothbrush/paste, deodorant, hair products
Do NOT bring HAIRDRYER (they are available in the rooms)
Contacts and solution
Camera
Batteries
Camera battery recharger
Empty Water Bottle (that can be filled with water after passing through Security)
Extra camera memory card
Spending money/ATM (10-15 Euros per lunch plus souvenirs)
Medications –Prescription and OTC. Each participant is requested to bring their own cold
tablets, pain reliever, antacid tablets, dramamine, Airborne
Leave room (and weight) in suitcase for Tshirts/ sweatshirts/ souvenirs that you may purchase
KI Concerts Luggage Tag, Name Badge, and Itinerary
Optional: Power adaptor (220 Italy to 110 U.S), Travel wallet, pocket translater, road map of Italy, etc.

Carry-on Luggage
One piece of hand luggage not to exceed 45 linear inches (22in x 14in x 9in) and 18 pounds. One piece of carry-on is allowed per person. In addition to the one carry-on item, you are allowed 1 small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, etc.
**Flute/Oboe/Clarinet players must carry their instrument in their backpack)
**Alto Sax, Bassoon, Trumpet, Violin will need to have a very small carry on bag as listed above. You can fit your items inside your case.
What should I pack Carry-on?
Contacts and solution (in 1 litre bag)
Money/ATM Card
Book/cards
Ipod? Don't forget charger and adaptor!
Liquid and gel-based products such as healthcare products and cosmetics may be carried in hand luggage as long as they comply with the following regulations:
>Containers with liquids and similar products may contain up to 100 millilitres (the printed maximum quantity applies)
>All containers must be carried in a transparent resealable plastic bag (e.g. a so-called "zip-lock") with a maximum capacity of one litre
>One bag per person
>The bag must be presented separately at the security check

What should my student NOT bring:
Cell phone
Expensive electronics
Low cut or sleeveless shirts (we will be touring churches)
Weapons (knives)
Drugs or alcohol
Expensive, sentimental jewelry

What is the best way for my student to access funds in Italy?
ATMs/STAR system machines are plentiful
You can preload his/her account with funds that can be accessed during the trip
You may also order Euros at your bank. It takes a few days for the Euro to arrive at the bank after you place your order. Please check with your bank.

What about Credit Cards?
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Make sure that you notify your card company that you are leaving the country so they do not put a hold on your account thinking that your card has been stolen.
How much spending money should my student take?
Breakfasts and dinners are included. Our Italian Tour company recommends that students have 10 Euro per day for food. Some travelers bring Power Bars for lunch so they can spend their lunch budget on souvenirs and gelato.

What kind of souvenirs are there to purchase?
http://www.romegiftshop.com/aboutromelinks.html
Doing some "preshopping" might help you decide how much money to bring for souvenirs.

What temperatures can we expect?
Venice is at 45o 26' latitude; Rome is at 41o 53' N
Portland, Oregon is 45o 31' latitude; San Jose is 37o 20'
So...our weather will be similar to Northern California weather.
Northern Italy (Venice) April Temperatures are 62 High/40 Low/ 6 Wet Days
Central Italy (Rome) April Average Temps are 62 High/47 Low/ 8 Wet Days
http://www.italylogue.com/weather

What are our flight times? Where are we staying?
Our itinerary is attached and also posted on our website
http://www.lghsmusic.net/?q=node/2124

When are we leaving/returning from LGHS?
Departure: Report to the Band Room on Thursday, April 8 at 3:30pm.
Arrival: You will return to the Band Room on Friday, April 16 around 8:30 or 9:00pm

Are the students' instruments covered by our trip insurance?
No. Their exclusion is noted on page 7 of the ecru and burgundy KI Concerts Trip Mate "Travel Protection Plan" that was in your envelope at the December 3 meeting.
Here is a copy of the policy coverages and exclusions.
http://www.tripmate.com/wpF390V/F390V-WEB-11-09.pdf
Check your homeowners insurance to see if it might cover damage to instruments.

How can I transport my instrument safely?
Start saving bubble wrap! The students used bubble wrap, t-shirts, and socks to fill in the empty spaces in their cases for the last trip--and none of them were damaged. Plus, they had more room their suitcase for souvenirs on the way back!

Telephone Tree
An emergency telephone tree will be created for all students whose parents are not on the trip.

Save these future dates
Monday, April 5, 7 p.m. Farewell Concert
Monday, April 5, 8:30pmish Short meeting (10 min) after Concert for Participating parents
Thursday, April 8, 3:30pm Report to Band Room for Departure
Friday, April 16, 9:00pm Arrive back to Band Room

To Do List for March
Purchase Black Tie (if needed)
Get a suit (men) or all black top and bottom (women)
Order your souvenir LGHS Italy Trip Tshirt or Sweatshirt
Figure out how much spending money you will need
Order Euros and/or get a STAR/ATM card
Make sure your ATM pin is only 4 digits (no letters)
Notify Credit Card company that you will be traveling
Learn some Italian, check out the DVDs and Videos from the LG Library
Make sure you have a collapsible music stand (or borrow one!)
Bring music stand to Band Room before April 1 (label both parts with your name on masking tape)
Think about how to pack your instrument
Save packing material
Buy an extra memory card and/or battery for your camera
Think about any medications you might need. Dramamine, Allergy meds, etc.
Turn in your envelope of forms (that were due in December) if you have not done so already