London New Years Day Parade trip info

LONDON TRIP NEWS AS OF JUNE 26, 2020

We are not traveling to London in December of 2020 due to concerns about the Coronavirus. We are on a 'hold for decision' until Spring, 2021 for travel in December of 2021 (Parade on January 1, 2022). A decision will be made in May of 2021 about that trip.

For now, families have several options: 1. withdraw from participation and receive all eligible refunds; 2. apply for a refund but stay on the participating list, knowing you will need to 'catch up' on payments once a decision is made to go to London in December, 2021.; 3. stay on the active roster and leave the funds in place (no payments until further notice and you will receive all eligible refunds if we don't go).

Families were sent an email with a link to the survey where preferences are indicated. This is also where refund applications are made. If you missed the email, send an email to Mr. Janssen so he can send you another link.

Here's hoping for a vaccine SOON!!

Trip Information and Registration Forms

We held an information meeting for interested students and parents on September 9. The information packet (which includes sign-up sheets for students and chaperones) can be found below. A packet of fundraising information that was reviewed is also below.

If you have any questions about fundraising activities, please email Mr. Dorner.

For all other questions related to this trip, please email Mr. Janssen.

Thanks for your interest in our next trip to London!

On Monday, May 20 the Board of Education granted approval for the Mount Horeb High School Marching Band to participate in the January 1, 2021 London New Year's Day Parade. This approval was sought after parents provided a significant amount of positive feedback in a survey earlier in the spring.

The next steps will include a meeting in August for adults willing to help create fundraising activities and provide logistical support. The meeting date and time will be announced in the next few weeks.

There will be an informational meeting held on Monday, September 9 in the high school auditorium at 7:00 p.m. for any interested band members and their families. 

The trip will be open to band members who will be in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 during the 2019 - 2020 school year as those will be the classes in high school the year of the trip.

Basic Information

The MHHS Marching Band has received another invitation to perform in the London New Year's Day Parade, having performed there in 2009 and 2017. This time, we have been offered a spot in the January 1, 2021 parade.

The invitations are issued based on reviews of our students' work by a national committee of reviewers, our performances at past parades, and the reputation of the program for excellence.

The travel dates for this trip would be approximately December 26, 2020 through January 2, 2021.

The initial projected cost for the trip is $3,600.00 per person (the cost would be the same for students and chaperones). The cost includes non-stop flights from Chicago to London and return, motor coach transportation, hotels, admissions, two meals per day, an 'Oyster card' for using 'The Tube' (the well-run subway system), a ticket to a Broadway show in the West End, taxes and gratuities. Not included in the cost are the fees for a passport, one meal per day, and incidental costs (souvenirs and such).

In past London Trip years, a committee of parents has gotten together to create numerous fundraising opportunities for students to raise money for the London Trip. The group has covered all sorts of concessions stands for public events, held water softener salt sales, hosted pancake breakfasts, worked brat stands and many more options. This group made the trip possible for many students. There is a spot on the survey where people can indicate their willingness to help do this for our students.

We will be in need of many adult chaperones to travel with us. The MHHS Music Department has a long-standing policy of having one chaperone for every four students. This level of supervision helps ensure a safe trip for all involved. There is a place on the survey to indicate an interest in serving as a chaperone for the trip.

We would be housed at a hotel in London, located near one of the subway stops for easy transport around the city. Students and chaperones are generally housed two per room.