Steinbach Regional Secondary School

Transcription

1 Steinbach Regional Secondary School Luis Reis, Principal Brent Giesbrecht, Dwight Propp, Sherry Bestvater, Vice Principals Music Department Mark Loewen and Kristel Peters, Directors 190 McKenzie Ave., Steinbach, MB R5G 0P1 Phone Fax Dear Parents of Music Students: This year is blazing by at warp speed and we have already experienced many successes in the music department at the SRSS. We have hardly taken in this year s event schedule and, already, we are thinking about next year. Next Spring (2010), we would like to return to Cuba for a week-long trip with the Senior Concert Band (which includes the grade 11 Jazz Band), the grade 12 Jazz Band, and the Chamber Choir*. This is an unforgettable trip that includes cultural exchanges with Cuban music students, workshops with professional Cuban musicians, many concerts that we will play at and listen to, historical tours, and other educational events that are sure to make this an unforgettable trip. We will continue to deal with Canada-Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, a reputable agency with offices in both Toronto and Cuba. Our experience has shown them to be at the forefront of experience and knowledge with handling this type of school trip and they come with high praise from other school groups that have travelled under their care (see the reverse side of this page for a few references and testimonials). Presently, we have been quoted a price of about $2100 per student that includes everything except passports, immunizations, and souvenirs. More accurate cost figures will be worked out in the future. Of course, a number of fundraising activities will be planned to help offset this cost. This is a big undertaking and commitment from students, parents, and us, and so we will not go any further in our planning without some feedback from you, the parents and guardians. We would like to hold an informational meeting at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 in the SRSS theatre. This is your chance to express your views and ask questions of those who are planning the trip and of those who have gone before, so please attend and bring your list of questions. Should the response from this meeting allow for us to proceed, we will need a deposit of $300 per student for May 1, This deposit will ensure flights and hotel rooms and will not be refundable. Please take the time to read through the attached material and then carefully discuss this opportunity with your son/daughter/ward. If you have any questions that you would like to discuss with us, please call us at the school and we would be happy to discuss them with you. Sincerely, Mark Loewen and Kristel Peters *Note: we are in the awkward position of having to advertise our intentions for this trip, organize parent meetings, start fundraising, pay deposits, etc., and yet the audition-based chamber choir will not be chosen until next September ( 09). We will have to go into this process with the understanding and consent that choristers who do not successfully audition for the chamber choir will not be eligible to go to Cuba. We will discuss the implications of this (and there are a few!) at the parent meeting on January 13.

2 CANADA-CUBA SPORTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING The following people would welcome the chance to share their first hand experiences with you personally. Our band trip to Cuba was a profound experience, touching the very souls of the kids. In 30 years of doing travel with students, I ve never seen students come away so wonderfully affected. If you are looking for a truly worthwhile experience for your band students go for it! The people at Canada-Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals are excellent. Terry Hill, Dartmouth, NS terrancehil@gmail.com We have gone to Cuba twice with Canada-Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals. Both times it was a wonderful experience. The focus is on interacting with the people and being a part of their culture and customs. This experience is authentic, real and invaluable. The tour is set up so that you experience music from beginning to end. Our performances were followed by a Cuban tradition of dancing with the hosts. Our hotels were clean and comfortable. The food was of good quality. Our translator/guides stayed with us 24 hours a day. If there were anything we needed they would get it done. We traveled in two new Volvo buses. Blaine Workman, Head of Music, Winnipeg, MB Tel: bworkman@sjsd.net An excellent way to learn about a very different culture and about the origins of a musical genre. The itinerary was well prepared, organized and carried out. The Havana Youth Jazz Festival venues were first class. The Cuban high School musicians had superb ability on instruments. Our translator/guide Adiel and musicologist Bobby Sanabria were an excellent combination. I intend to go again. David Flello, Head of Music, Victoria, BC Tel: flello@pacificcoast.net What we enjoyed most was: interacting with the Cuban students and musicians, the variety and levels of the performance venues, the balance of structured and unstructured time in the well planned itinerary, the conscientious and knowledgeable translator guides and their flexibility to make things work. The Cuban students were sincerely glad to perform and share with us. Bob Rebagliati, Head of Music, North Vancouver, BC Tel: m_b_rebagliati@telus.net Well-organized, excellent balance between performance opportunities, excursions and leisure time. Hotel settings were great, excellent pools. Highlights were the cultural presentations. Superb translator/guide Julia is a real gem. Our group felt secure and at ease while in Cuba. An excellent opportunity for our students to mature and grow. Brent Bannerman, Head of Music, Antigonish, NS Tel: bbannerman@ant.eastlink.ca I was impressed by the integrity of the program. The itinerary worked out for the choir, it was based on our needs and objectives. Everything that Canada-Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals promised was delivered. There was attention given to the details. The program content was full and meaningful, the meals and accommodation were good. Some truly excellent venues and concerts. Carl Cherland, Choir Director, Regina, SK Tel: carlcherland@hotmail.com This is a fantastic educational experience. In addition to the performances we learned so much about the history and culture of the Cuban people. The Cuban music students produce high quality musicianship while working with limited resources and enthusiastically shared their musical traditions with us. Good choice of hotels and quality meals. Thank you for organizing an experience that our students will remember forever. Roger Cook, Head of Music, Toronto, ON Tel:

3 CANADA-CUBA SPORTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS Mark Loewen, Band Director Steinbach Regional Sec. School Box 2380 Steinbach, MB R5G 1N9 October 9, 2008 Dear Mr. Loewen: RE: PERFORMANCE TOUR TO CUBA, SPRING Thank you for considering a trip to Cuba with your band and choir. Enclosed are pricing information and our understanding of the itinerary for your trip. Should any discrepancies appear please contact us immediately, so we can make the appropriate corrections. PRICE: The price of $1, per participant includes the services described in the itinerary with departure from Winnipeg. The price applies for travel any week in March, April or May, except the week of Spring Break, which would cost $150 more. Please note that Canadian transportation taxes of $235 per person will be added to your final invoice. There is also a Cuban airport tax of $25 CUC (equivalent to $30 CAD approximately) per person to be paid locally in cash. Accommodation is air conditioned with satellite TV and en-suite bathroom based on 2 per room. SUNDRIES: Participants should budget for sundry expenses at approximately $200 CAD per person for the week to cover lunches, beverages and personal expenses. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Trip cancellation insurance is available at a cost of $70 per person. Deluxe cancellation/medical/baggage insurance is available at a cost of $127 per person, or $79 if 16 or more people buy it to qualify for the student group rate (see attached information). PAYMENT DATES: To allow us to schedule your visit and begin to make the necessary arrangements with the various Cuban institutions involved, and reserve the air plane seats and hotel rooms, a deposit of $300 per person is required by May 15, 2009 (without deposits no air seats or hotel rooms are being held). A second deposit of $500 per person will be due on September 30, Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Our following correspondence will include information to assist participants with planning. If you have any questions please give me a call at Yours truly, Karina Hull Karina Hull Manager CCS&CF IS DEDICATED TO; LINK PEOPLE SHARING COMMON INTERESTS ~ PROJECT AN HONEST IMAGE OF EACH COUNTRY=S REALITY ~ ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TORONTO: 7171 Torbram Road, Suite 51, Mississauga (Toronto), Ontario, Canada L4T 3W4 Tel Fax Internet cancuba@pathcom.com

4 CANADA-CUBA SPORTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS Mark Loewen, Band Director Steinbach Regional Sec. School Box 2380 Steinbach, MB R5G 1N9 October 9, 2008 Dear Mr. Loewen: RE: EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE TOUR TO CUBA. We appreciate your interest in Cuba as a destination for an educational and performance experience for your group. To assist with your planning as you move ahead, I am providing you with some additional background about the program in Cuba and the work we do. Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals (CCS&CF) was founded in 1987, to develop opportunities to study, perform and conference with Cuban counterparts for numerous North American organizations. We represent agencies and institutions of the Cuban Ministries of Culture, Education, Science & the Environment, and Sport; and also facilitate programs in Cuba for universities, schools, professional associations and research/cultural institutions and sports federations located in Canada and the United States. Recent projects include; organizing the International Choir Festival in Santiago de Cuba, CORHABANA (International Choir Encounter in Havana), The Annual Youth Jazz Encounter in Havana, arranging for performance ensembles and delegations to participate in the Plaza International Jazz Festival in Havana, credit courses and conferences in Cuba for US and Canadian universities, sports training, competition and performing arts programs in Cuba for hundreds of professionals and students, a performance tour for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, as well as several projects for the Royal Ontario Museum. In addition we are proud to have been selected to organize the Canadian student performing arts delegation that travelled to Cuba to tour a 100% Canadian content show for Cuban audiences prior to the Prime Minister s official visit there. The project was supported by the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister and we worked in close coordination with the Canadian Embassy in Havana and the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure maximum success. In 1992, to provide a more streamlined administration we established an in house travel department. The travel department is managed by Karina Hull and operates under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, with license # The Ontario Travel Compensation Fund guarantees all payments received for travel arrangements. CCS&CF IS DEDICATED TO; LINK PEOPLE SHARING COMMON INTERESTS ~ PROJECT AN HONEST IMAGE OF EACH COUNTRY S REALITY ~ ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HAVANA: Avenida 47 No entre 28 y 34, Rpto. Kohly, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba TORONTO: 7171 Torbram Road, Suite 51, Mississauga (Toronto), Ontario, Canada L4T 3W4 Tel Fax Internet cancuba@pathcom.com

5 Page two Accommodation: Housing selected for CCS&CF programs is in hotels chosen for their safe and quiet locations. All have a restaurant, snack bar and swimming pool. Participants are housed two to a room. Rooms are air-conditioned, have a private en suite bathroom and satellite TV. Meals: All programs include daily breakfast and dinner. Lunches can be included if requested. A typical breakfast includes fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, breakfast meat, toast, pastries, juice, milk, and coffee. A typical dinner includes a variety of salads, soup, rice and/or potatoes, cooked vegetables, chicken and/or fish and/or meat, dessert. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated however in the case of life threatening allergies participants should bring additional appropriate food to supplement what is locally available. References: For a first hand report on travelling in Cuba please take a moment to contact others who have recently returned from CCS&CF programs. A list of references is attached. In addition, I invite you to contact the following who are also familiar with our organization. Laureano Cardoso, Consul General Ismary Gonzalez, 3r d Secretary Press & Cultural Attache Consulate of Cuba, Toronto Embassy of Cuba, Ottawa Tel: Tel: Andres Gonzalez, Director Paul Gibbard, 1 st Secretary Public Affairs Cuba Tourist Board, Toronto Canadian Embassy, Havana Tel: Tel: Cuba is a safe and fascinating country. The arts are a major part of everyday life. Music is everywhere and Cuba's jazz, folklore, classical and choral traditions are renowned. All in a country that has enjoyed the fusion of African and European heritages during more than 500 years. Our Canada and Cuba based staff look forward to working with you and welcoming you to Cuba... the friendliest country in Central America and Caribbean. Yours truly, Executive Director CCS&CF Steinbach.hotlet.doc

6 CANADA-CUBA SPORTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS Steinbach Regional Secondaray School Revised October/2008 ARTS IN CUBA: Spring 2010 CULTURAL EXCHANGE and PERFORMANCE PROGRAM IN CUBA This program is specifically designed for music students to experience a comprehensive overview of Cuban culture and history from Columbus, to Castro, with a focus on the study of the Afro-Cuban contribution to Music, Dance, and Visual Art in Cuba. Beginning in Havana, founded in 1514, participants will meet, and perform with Cuban students and teachers. Additional performances will take place at public venues arranged by the Cuban Ministry of Culture. We will then travel by bus and explore the climates and topography of tropical rain forests, mountain terrain and caves systems, while observing the life ways of rural communities in the Cuban countryside in the capital of Pinar del Rio Province. ITINERARY DAY 1: Flight to Cuba. On arrival in Cuba we will be met by our hosts at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Havana (approximately 140 kms) for check-in. Meeting with your guide to review plans for the week. DAY 2: Today begins with an orientation tour by bus, followed by a walking tour to Old Town - Havana, Spain's gateway to the conquest of Latin America. Havana, founded in 1514 became the capital of Cuba in 1553 and in 1982 UNESCO declared Old Havana a World Heritage Site, where 144 buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries are preserved. Our guide will lead a walking tour of the Old City. We then travel by air-conditioned coach to the harbour entrance to visit the Parque Historico del Morro and see fortifications built in the 17th century to guard the city from attack by pirates. Lunch ($6) at a local restaurant. The rest of the afternoon will be spent at the beach to enjoy the sun, white sand and swim in the Caribbean Sea. Dinner at the hotel. Optional rehearsal time available at the hotel. DAY 3: After breakfast all students will attend an Arts High School. The morning will be spent learning about the school and Canadian and Cuban students will perform for each other. Lunch ($6) at a local restaurant. This afternoon we will attend a percussion and Latin rhythms workshop. Dinner at the hotel. This evening dance to popular Cuban music at the hotel. Cuban young people will join us to assist with informal Salsa dance classes. DAY 4: Early morning departure to the beach. Lunch ($6). This afternoon we have been invited to visit with a Comparsa in one of the modest neighbourhoods of Havana. Comparsa are the musical/dance groups that compete in the processions during Havana's Carnival. Members of the Comparsa will endeavour to share Latin Percussion and afro-cuban song with the students. Dinner at the hotel. This evening we will visit the famous Jazz Café and enjoy performances by top Cuban musicians.

7 2 DAY 5: This morning we will visit the Provincial Junior Arts High School. We will attend a performance presented by music and dance students at the school. A performance by the visiting students will follow. Lunch ($6) at a local restaurant. This afternoon we will visit shopping areas in the city including the open air artisans market and a collection of boutiques housed in a restored 18th century colonial palace. Dinner at the hotel. This evening Canadian students will perform at a venue arranged in association with the Cuban Ministry of Education. DAY 6: Havana/Pinar del Rio/Havana. On our bus trip through Western Cuba we will explore the climate, topography, plant and animal life of tropical rainforests and mountain terrain. This morning we visit the nearby Viñales Valley. Your guide will explain the significance of the formations here called "mogotes", odd hillocks considered mineral fossils because they were created during the Upper Jurassic period. Beneath the valley floor are subterranean rivers and one of the most extensive cave systems in the Americas. Later, in small groups we will explore one of the most accessible of these subterranean rivers by boat (admission fee included). Speak with your guide for recommendations on where to stop for lunch ($6). In the afternoon, we will continue hiking along a mountain river to a look out point (380 meters above sea level). There will be an optional modest charge ($3) for the descent to the waterfall and natural pool safe for wading. Portions of this hike are quite rigorous and we suggest closed walking or sports shoes. Return to Havana. Late dinner at the hotel. Attend evening performance(s) by Cuban musicians around the hotel pool area. DAY 7: The morning will be spent at Santa Maria beach. Lunch ($6). This afternoon you have the option of visiting a local orphanage to do some humanitarian work, and if you wish, arrangements can be made for your group to present a donation to the orphanage kids (goods, not money). Dinner at the hotel. Tonight visiting students perform a joint program with other Cuban performing artists at a venue arranged with the Ministry of Culture. DAY 8: Cuba to Canada. We now leave the hotel and return to Varadero airport. Time permitting other points of interest may be visited en route to the airport. Program Includes: Round trip airfare from selected departure city to Cuba, 7 nights accommodation double occupancy in air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, breakfast and dinner daily, coordination and entrance/participation fees for visits - performances - workshops - tours, translator/guide services, local facilitators, ground transportation via modern air-conditioned bus as per itinerary, Cuban visa. Not Included: Lunches, optional activities, tips, $25 CUC Cuban airport tax payable locally. Please Note: Hotels, restaurant and recreational facilities are quite expensive by local standards. You may choose to invite Cuban students and teachers to participate in social activities with your group. This is always warmly received, however, you as host, are expected to assume the cost of the invitation as it is beyond the means of most Cubans. We recommend you check with your guide for suggestions before extending any invitations. Steinbach.itn.doc

8 RBC DELUXE TRAVEL INSURANCE If you or your travelling companion must cancel an insured trip, our company will pay the eligible benefits specified below. Coverage begins when you pay the required premium. Cancellation Protection: You will be reimbursed up to the coverage amount purchased, at the date the cause for cancellation occurred, if you must cancel your trip due to one of the following reasons: Emergency sickness or injury or your death, and/or that of an immediate family member, travelling companion, business partner or their immediate family, or the host at the trip destination; Terrorism or civil disorder at your final ticketed destination for which the Canadian government has issued an advisory against travelling after your trip cancellation effective date; A disaster which renders your principal residence uninhabitable, or Quarantine of Your residence; Involuntary loss of employment, or transfer to another city; Certain Pregnancy complications, or adoption; Being subpoenaed to appear as a witness or being selected for jury duty. If an insured trip must be cancelled, the CCS&CF office must be notified immediately. Our office must be notified in writing, not later than the first business day following the cause for cancellation and transportation tickets must be surrendered within 48 hours thereafter. Failure to notify us as required will limit liability to the amount that would have been payable if you had notified us on the first business day following the cause for cancellation. PACKAGE COVERAGES Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Before Departure After Departure Subsistence Allowance Holiday Sure Plan Connection Benefit Transportation of Deceased DELUXE Up to Sum Insured Unlimited $3,500 $750 Travel Coupon Available Unlimited Emergency Medical Insurance Medical & Other Benefits Transportation of Deceased Subsistence Allowance Baggage & Personal Effects Insurance Loss of, or Damage to, Baggage & Personal Effects Delay of Baggage & Personal Effects Flight Accident Insurance Unlimited3 Unlimited $3,500 $1,0004 $400 Death, Double Dismemberment, Loss of Sight of both eyes or complete and irrecoverable loss of speech or hearing5 $100,000 Travel Accident Insurance Death, Double Dismemberment, Loss of Sight of both eyes or complete and irrecoverable loss of speech or hearing $50,000 3This insurance is subject to a maximum of $20,000 if you do not have valid government health insurance plan coverage. 4The maximum for any one item or set of items is $500. 5You are entitled to a maximum of the largest amount specified for one of these benefits.

9 2 Medical Exclusion 1 This insurance does not pay for any expenses incurred directly or indirectly as a result of: 1. Your medical condition or related condition, if at any time in the 90 days before you depart on your trip, your medical condition or related condition has not been stable. * 2. Your heart condition, if at any time in the 90 days before you depart on your trip: a) any heart condition has not been stable; or b) you have taken nitroglycerin more than once per week specifically for the relief of angina pain. 3. Your lung condition, if at any time in the 90 days before you depart on your trip: a) any lung condition has not been stable; or b) you have been treated with home oxygen or taken oral steroids (prednisone or prednisolone) for any lung condition. * Stable any medical condition or related condition (including any heart condition or any lung condition) for which there have been: no new treatment or new prescribed medication; and no change in treatment or change in prescribed medication (including the amount of medication to be taken, how often it is taken, the type of medication or change in treatment frequency or type); and no new symptom, more frequent symptom or more severe symptom experienced; and no new test result or test results showing a deterioration; and no investigations initiated for your symptoms, whether or not your diagnosis has been determined; and no hospitalization or referral to a specialist (made or recommended) or the results of further investigations recommended and not yet completed, for that medical condition or related condition (including any heart condition or any lung condition).