Reagan @ Macy's Parade

[LHSbandDad]

Just saw Ronald Reagan HS on the parade and thought they looked and sounded amazing!!

 

I am wondering....how much does a trip like that cost?  Do they use Music Travel Consultants (MTC) like we did for GN?  How do you feed that many kids for that many days?  I saw they were there on Monday so that makes this trip 4-5 days long so I am assuming there was some sight seeing too?

 

Depending on the cost and logistics, I can see why a band would seriously consider this over GN since it costs $1,500 for Indy and no sight seeing!!

[RookieBandDad]

Excited to see Ronald Reagan represent Texas. Keller went to Macy's last year. They flew in on Sunday and back home on Friday. Very well planned with activities and sightseeing each day. 

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/28/2019 at 3:24 PM, LHSbandDad said:

Just saw Ronald Reagan HS on the parade and thought they looked and sounded amazing!!

 

I am wondering....how much does a trip like that cost? Do they use Music Travel Consultants (MTC) like we did for GN? How do you feed that many kids for that many days? I saw they were there on Monday so that makes this trip 4-5 days long so I am assuming there was some sight seeing too?

 

Depending on the cost and logistics, I can see why a band would seriously consider this over GN since it costs $1,500 for Indy and no sight seeing!!

Someone with the program said on Reddit that they did fundraising but each family still paid $2800 for their band kid to go.

[CTJBandPops]

  On 11/28/2019 at 3:24 PM, LHSbandDad said:

Just saw Ronald Reagan HS on the parade and thought they looked and sounded amazing!!

 

I am wondering....how much does a trip like that cost?  Do they use Music Travel Consultants (MTC) like we did for GN?  How do you feed that many kids for that many days?  I saw they were there on Monday so that makes this trip 4-5 days long so I am assuming there was some sight seeing too?

 

Depending on the cost and logistics, I can see why a band would seriously consider this over GN since it costs $1,500 for Indy and no sight seeing!!

My understanding is that is more expensive than a trip to Indy due to the extended period of time and the fact that New York is not a cheap place to stay. I recall a post earlier this year from a parent that breakfast alone for their programs was an obscene amount of money and they had 350 students there - 

[CTJBandPops]

  On 11/29/2019 at 1:58 AM, LeanderMomma said:

Someone with the program said on Reddit that they did fundraising but each family still paid $2800 for their band kid to go.

Ouch!! that has to hurt

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/29/2019 at 2:07 AM, banddad84 said:

Ouch!! that has to hurt

Especially if they have more than one kid in band! And what if mom and dad want to go as well? Sheesh. You could buy junior a decent car for that kind of money!

[jmj]

They really were incredible this morning! I watched their performance back like 4 times because it was so good. Lovely arrangements and also kudos to NBC for giving them great coverage.

[RHSDirectors]

Thank you all for support! This trip cost $1950, Happy Holidays!

[LeanderMomma]

Maybe the poster on Reddit was including their regular band fees in his total. These trips ain’t cheap but they are oh so worth it I’m sure.

 

On a similar note, I’m appalled at a YouTube video of Leander at GN where people are commenting on how the only reason these schools win competitions is because of money. They obviously have no clue how hard these kids work. Yes, money can buy great designers and directors but not every great program has tons of money. Also, some are just tremendously good at fundraising. Not every district gives their bands (or their directors!) a ton of money. It takes a lot of factors and I hate to see such hard work and talent degraded in such a way. I guess it’s inevitable but it’s a shame really. At least the band kids know the truth!

[GeekyBandMom]

  On 11/29/2019 at 3:58 PM, LeanderMomma said:

Maybe the poster on Reddit was including their regular band fees in his total. These trips ain’t cheap but they are oh so worth it I’m sure.

 

On a similar note, I’m appalled at a YouTube video of Leander at GN where people are commenting on how the only reason these schools win competitions is because of money. They obviously have no clue how hard these kids work. Yes, money can buy great designers and directors but not every great program has tons of money. Also, some are just tremendously good at fundraising. Not every district gives their bands (or their directors!) a ton of money. It takes a lot of factors and I hate to see such hard work and talent degraded in such a way. I guess it’s inevitable but it’s a shame really. At least the band kids know the truth!

Absolutely! The truth is strong MS programs, minimal attrition of students, and retention of staff are the major contributing factors to success. Money opens doors for sure in terms of design, but it surely won’t make the kids more attentive during rehearsal or mean directors will be more effective and efficient with use of their 8 hours or inspire parents and kids to buy into 7 years of band. District support at all levels, and minimal competing programs (not having orchestra class in 4th grade competing with band for students for example) are also factors. I think money is fundraised by successful programs because parents and students are involved and driven to be successful in band and in everything else in their lives. On the flipside there are plenty of programs with plenty of money (member’s families and/or from the district) that aren’t nearly as successful as Leander. Period. Money matters, but only so much.

[LeanderMomma]

  On 11/30/2019 at 5:53 PM, GeekyBandMom said:

Absolutely! The truth is strong MS programs, minimal attrition of students, and retention of staff are the major contributing factors to success. Money opens doors for sure in terms of design, but it surely won’t make the kids more attentive during rehearsal or mean directors will be more effective and efficient with use of their 8 hours or inspire parents and kids to buy into 7 years of band. District support at all levels, and minimal competing programs (not having orchestra class in 4th grade competing with band for students for example) are also factors. I think money is fundraised by successful programs because parents and students are involved and driven to be successful in band and in everything else in their lives. On the flipside there are plenty of programs with plenty of money (member’s families and/or from the district) that aren’t nearly as successful as Leander. Period. Money matters, but only so much.

Great points all around. There are so many factors in what makes a band like Leander (and so many others!) so good and it takes EVERY one of those factors to succeed at such a high level.

 

Also, it’s good to see you again friend!