Band Travel
Local Travel
When traveling locally with the Mandan Bands, members will use Student Transportation school buses. A list of students attending each event is used to take attendance at departure and arrival points. Students are expected to obey all rules and expectations of the bus driver and to leave the bus in the same condition as when it was boarded.
Extended Domestic or International Performance Tour ("Big Trips")
All MHS Band trips are:
The Mandan High Bands will offer an extended domestic or international performance tour every two years. Eligibility for this trip is usually limited to the 9th-12th grade students. These trips are optional and are in no way required for participation in the curricular Bands. This trip will usually be scheduled over Spring Break or after school is out, with little or no school
being missed. All trips outside of the school district must be approved by the school board. These optional tours will generally cost between $500.00 and $1000.00 per student.
Trip Procedures
Tour information, including eligibility, tentative itinerary and payment structure will be announced in accordance with the trip timeline, generally a year in advance. Large international projects will have more advanced notification. At that time, students will have the option to register for the tour by filling out a form and making an initial financial deposit indicating their interest in participating in the trip. Students will then make scheduled payments throughout the year, with the final payment occurring just prior to the departure date. Profits from Band sponsored fund-raisers that have accrued in student accounts will be used to make tour payments. Late cancellation of trip participation after payment(s) have been made will usually carry a penalty from
the contracted travel company (any refund of trip payments will have to be negotiated with the contracted travel company). A parent/student information meeting will be held approximately one week before departure to dispense final trip information and answer parent questions about the trip. A complete packet of information, including the detailed trip itinerary, rules, etc. will be distributed to all participants approximately ten days prior to departure.
Accountability
All students traveling with Mandan High Bands will sign a travel contract that states they will comply with Mandan High School policies and NDHSAA rules and regulations set forth for Fine Arts activities. All members are required to abide by these rules and exhibit respect both in and out of performance. Irresponsibility in this area may result in a student being returned home from the trip at parental expense.
Tour Practices
Because these trips often combine students from one or more of the Mandan High Bands, participants will be required to attend a limited number of special rehearsals, outside of school prior to the trip departure date, to prepare for the trip. These rehearsals will be scheduled well in advance of the trip and attendance is required for trip participation.
Transportation
Short trips will be by deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches equipped with restrooms. Extended tours will usually involve either a charter or domestic air-carrier. In order to qualify for group hotel and airfare rates and keep all trip participants costs
minimal, we must guarantee to the travel company an exact number of participants all flying and staying together as a group. Therefore, students will be unable to use frequent flyer discount programs to arrange their own air travel and/or hotel accommodations (for obvious supervision/liability purposes as well).
All ground transportation at a tour destination will be by deluxe motor coaches equipped with restrooms.
Local Travel
When traveling locally with the Mandan Bands, members will use Student Transportation school buses. A list of students attending each event is used to take attendance at departure and arrival points. Students are expected to obey all rules and expectations of the bus driver and to leave the bus in the same condition as when it was boarded.
Extended Domestic or International Performance Tour ("Big Trips")
All MHS Band trips are:
- Appropriately balanced - with a good mix of educational, fun and musical experiences
- Highly structured - an active and well planned itinerary in which students are busy doing educational, fun and musical activities throughout the trip.
- Adult chaperones - a ratio of one adult for every 15-20 students, who are with the students at all times. Often other district Band Directors serve as chaperones. Whenever available, a nurse goes on the trip too.
- Rules - all students are expected to follow all MHS and NDHSAA rules at all times during the trip.
Students are encouraged to participate in Band fundraising activities to pay for all, or part, of their Band
trip.
The Mandan High Bands will offer an extended domestic or international performance tour every two years. Eligibility for this trip is usually limited to the 9th-12th grade students. These trips are optional and are in no way required for participation in the curricular Bands. This trip will usually be scheduled over Spring Break or after school is out, with little or no school
being missed. All trips outside of the school district must be approved by the school board. These optional tours will generally cost between $500.00 and $1000.00 per student.
Trip Procedures
Tour information, including eligibility, tentative itinerary and payment structure will be announced in accordance with the trip timeline, generally a year in advance. Large international projects will have more advanced notification. At that time, students will have the option to register for the tour by filling out a form and making an initial financial deposit indicating their interest in participating in the trip. Students will then make scheduled payments throughout the year, with the final payment occurring just prior to the departure date. Profits from Band sponsored fund-raisers that have accrued in student accounts will be used to make tour payments. Late cancellation of trip participation after payment(s) have been made will usually carry a penalty from
the contracted travel company (any refund of trip payments will have to be negotiated with the contracted travel company). A parent/student information meeting will be held approximately one week before departure to dispense final trip information and answer parent questions about the trip. A complete packet of information, including the detailed trip itinerary, rules, etc. will be distributed to all participants approximately ten days prior to departure.
Accountability
All students traveling with Mandan High Bands will sign a travel contract that states they will comply with Mandan High School policies and NDHSAA rules and regulations set forth for Fine Arts activities. All members are required to abide by these rules and exhibit respect both in and out of performance. Irresponsibility in this area may result in a student being returned home from the trip at parental expense.
Tour Practices
Because these trips often combine students from one or more of the Mandan High Bands, participants will be required to attend a limited number of special rehearsals, outside of school prior to the trip departure date, to prepare for the trip. These rehearsals will be scheduled well in advance of the trip and attendance is required for trip participation.
Transportation
Short trips will be by deluxe air-conditioned motor coaches equipped with restrooms. Extended tours will usually involve either a charter or domestic air-carrier. In order to qualify for group hotel and airfare rates and keep all trip participants costs
minimal, we must guarantee to the travel company an exact number of participants all flying and staying together as a group. Therefore, students will be unable to use frequent flyer discount programs to arrange their own air travel and/or hotel accommodations (for obvious supervision/liability purposes as well).
All ground transportation at a tour destination will be by deluxe motor coaches equipped with restrooms.