ISO SYMPHONY SCOTLAND Edinburgh Aberdeen

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1 ISO SYMPHONY Tour Produced By World Projects Corporation Deborah Gibbs, CEO Saul Charlesworth, Senior Production Manager SCOTLAND 2014 Current as of September 19, 2013 and subject to change Edinburgh Aberdeen July 26 August 4, 2014

2 ISO Symphony 2014 Scotland Performance Tour July 26 August 4, 2014 Pre-Trip Rehearsal 1: Monday, July :00 rehearsal, Julia Richman Education Complex Pre-trip Rehearsal 2: Wednesday, July :00 rehearsal; 6-7:00 farewell dinner; 7-9:00 rehearsal and chaperone orientation Pre-trip Rehearsal 3: Thursday, July :00 rehearsal DAY ONE: Saturday, July 26, 2014 NEW YORK DEPARTURE (meals/movies in-flight) Afternoon Depart by bus from mid-town Manhattan location in ISO bus for the airport 4 hours before departure. (Students can also get to the airport on their own, if that is more convenient.) Arrive at a New York area International Airport 3 hours before departure and meet your World Projects representative who will be traveling with your throughout the tour. Check in for your flights to Edinburgh, Scotland, and move through security onto departure gate. Evening Depart for Edinburgh. Note: there will be a stop en route. Overnight flight DAY TWO: Sunday, July 27, 2014 EDINBURGH Afternoon Arrive in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland! You will be met by your local Tour Manager who will assist you with loading the coach. Depart the airport for a local area hotel. Upon arrival, check into 3-star hotel with free time to settle into your rooms and rest after the long flight. Evening Enjoy a Welcome Dinner followed by a free evening (for an early night!). DAY THREE: Monday, July 28, 2014 EDINBURGH Morning Breakfast as a group at the hotel. This morning, board the coach and depart on a Guided Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh, which will include such highlights as Princes Street, the Royal Mile, and the Scott Monument. Also visit St. Giles Cathedral dating back to 1120, this Cathedral is known as the mother church of Presbyterianism. Afternoon Lunch on own in Edinburgh. After lunch, enjoy a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The castle has stood high over the city since 1085 and like many of Edinburgh s landmarks, it has a chilling past as its hilltop position made it an ideal location for a prison. Many visitors comment on its unique mixture of beauty and foreboding. Evening Dinner as a group in Edinburgh. Afterwards, load the coach and return to the hotel.

3 DAY FOUR: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 EDINBURGH ABERDEEN Morning Breakfast as a group at the hotel. Check out of the hotel, load the coach, and depart Edinburgh north for Aberdeen (approx. 2.5 hour drive plus stops). En route, stop in the town of Perth, once the medieval capital of Scotland which is reflected in the rich heritage of many of its buildings. Afternoon Lunch on your own in Perth. After lunch, continue on to Aberdeen. Aberdeen is a maritime city with a story going back to its foundations as a royal burgh in The city has one of the most distinctive townscapes in Scotland, thanks to the use of silver granite, used from the 18 th century onwards. Arrive in Aberdeen and check in to your accommodation (University of Aberdeen housing single rooms with shared baths). Afternoon Rehearsal. Evening: Dinner as a group at the University and the evening is free to attend a Festival performance. Attend and/or participate in informal student late-night cabaret with international students. DAY FIVE: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 ABERDEEN INTL YOUTH FESTIVAL Performance #1 Morning Afternoon Evening Breakfast at the University. Lunch as a group at the University. Sightseeing in small groups with chaperones. Possibly stroll around Old Aberdeen, visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Cruickshank Botanic Gardens, Aberdeen Art Gallery, or enjoy one of the many parks. Shopping on Chapel and Thistle Streets. Dinner as a group at University. Performance 1 in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. On evenings when you are not performing, the Festival encourages you to attend other performances happening at various venues throughout Aberdeen at no charge. Attend and/or participate in informal student late-night cabaret with international students. DAY SIX: Thursday, July 31, 2014 ABERDEEN INTL YOUTH FESTIVAL (B,L,D) Performance #2 Morning Breakfast at the University. Afternoon Lunch as a group at the University. Sightseeing in small groups with chaperones. Possibly stroll around Old Aberdeen, visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, or enjoy one of the many parks and gardens. Performance 2 in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Evening Dinner as a group at University. On evenings when you are not performing, the Festival encourages you to attend other performances happening at various venues throughout Aberdeen at no charge. Attend and/or participate in informal student late-night cabaret with international students.

4 DAY SEVEN: Friday, August 1, ABERDEEN INTL YOUTH FESTIVAL Performance #3 Morning Breakfast as a group at the University. Possible rehearsal. Afternoon Lunch as a group at the University. Sightseeing in small groups with chaperones. Possibly stroll around Old Aberdeen, visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, or enjoy one of the many parks and gardens. Performance 3 in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Evening Dinner as a group at University. On evenings when you are not performing, the Festival encourages you to attend other performances happening at various venues throughout Aberdeen at no charge. Attend and/or participate in informal student cabaret with international students. DAY EIGHT: Saturday, August 2, 2014 ABERDEEN INTL YOUTH FESTIVAL Performance #4 Morning Breakfast as a group at the University. Afternoon Lunch as a group at the University. Sightseeing in small groups with chaperones. Possibly stroll around Old Aberdeen, visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, or enjoy one of the many parks and gardens. Evening Dinner as a group at University. Performance 4 (likely in the grand finale) in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Attend and/or participate in informal student late-night cabaret with international students. DAY NINE: Sunday, August 3, ABERDEEN EDINBURGH Morning Breakfast as a group at the University. Check out, board your coach and return to Edinburgh. Afternoon En route, stop in the town of Stirling for lunch on your own. Once the capital of Scotland, Stirling contains the Great Hall (restored 1999) and the Renaissance Palace (restoration completed 2011) within the Castle that rivaled any building in Europe at the time. Enjoy a visit to Stirling Castle which is magnificent both in its situation on a commanding rocky outcrop and in its architecture. Continue on to Edinburgh. Arrive in to Edinburgh and transfer/check in to a local airport area hotel. Evening Enjoy a Farewell Dinner as a group in Edinburgh to celebrate your Scotland Performance tour!

5 DAY TEN: Monday, August 4, 2014 EDINBURGH NEW YORK (meals/movies in-flight) Morning Breakfast as a group at the hotel. Check out of the hotel, load the coach and transfer to Edinburgh International Airport. Check in for flights, move through security onto your departure gate. Depart Edinburgh for a New York area airport. NB: there will be a stop en route. ISO bus will meet us at the airport and return to mid-town Manhattan. Arrive home the same day afternoon/evening!

6 ISO Symphony s Scotland Tour, 2014 General Guidelines and Information PASSPORTS All passports will be collected after we have cleared U.S. security check-in and returned to you just prior to arrival. The tour administrator will keep a photocopy of all passports in case one is lost or stolen. While on tour you must keep your passport securely with you at all times. NEVER CARRY YOUR PASSPORT IN YOUR LUGGAGE. See passport/ for information on getting a passport. It can take 6 weeks for processing. HEALTH ISSUES Medications: Pack all medications in your carry-on luggage. Medications should be labeled with a notation for use. Bring a signed copy of your prescription with you in case you lose or run out of your medication. Be sure that your Medical Information Form has the correct information about the medication you must take. Medical Assistance: Please contact a chaperone sooner rather than later if you are feeling ill or have any medical problem whatsoever. Glasses and Contact Lenses: Bring a spare pair with you along with a signed copy of your prescription. For those who sterilize their contacts during the night, be sure to bring an electric converter kit with an adaptor plug appropriate for use in the U.K. (see below) PACKING AND CLOTHING Climate: Daily high temperatures in Scotland rarely go above 65 degrees even in August, so plan to wear sweaters and light jackets most of the time. A rain slicker or umbrella is also a good idea. There s a reason everything there is so green. Baggage: Airlines restrict the amount of luggage you can bring. You may bring one (1) medium-size suitcase (to be checked), a small carry-on bag like a backpack, (must fit under an airline seat), and your instrument, Tape your name and address INSIDE all your luggage, including your instrument case. Tape your NAME ONLY on the outside of your instrument. You may also want to carry a packing list inside your suitcase along with the traveler's check numbers. A small bag or purse is a good idea. Pack as lightly as possible. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for gifts and souvenirs to bring home. Mark your name on anything of value. Concert Attire is the same as for regular Symphony concerts. Toiletries: Although you can replace anything you need easily in the U.K. it will be more expensive, so remember to pack: toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, deodorant, soap, aspirin or Tylenol, antacid tablets, sanitary needs, a small flashlight, a few packages of Kleenex, nail clippers, needle and thread, safety pins, band aids, pen and notebook, large plastic bag for soiled clothes, a plastic hanger to hang up your concert clothes. All liquids should be in tightly capped plastic bottles inside plastic zip lock bags. Other Things to Pack: Warm nightclothes (European ideas about heating are different than ours), 6-7 changes of underwear and socks, camera, extra strings and reeds, spare instrument parts, instrument repair kit. Expensive Jewelry: DON T BRING ANY! Electrical Appliances: Avoid bringing them. If you must bring something, you will also need a power or voltage converter (to 240 volts) and plug (type-g, threepin). This includes your phone recharger! Carry On Bag: It s a good idea to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste in your carry-on bag, an extra pair of socks, and reading material to get you through eight hours in the air! A small snack might also come in handy, even though meals will be served on the airplane. You are only allowed to carry on board liquids and gels up to 3.4 oz. each. Place all liquid containers in a separate clear plastic, zip-top bag no larger than 8 in x 8 in or is quart size, which you must take out of your bag at security. Be prepared to remove your shoes and/or belt when going through security. Wear slip-on shoes if possible. MONEY Nearly all costs are included in the tour fee, but you will need some spending money. The British Pound is the unit of currency, which is worth approx. $1.55, so that sweater for 60 is actually $95.50! Converting currency in the U.S. is usually more expensive than abroad. The best way to get British pounds is from an ATM machine once there. Note that British ATM s only accept 4-digit passcodes. Credit cards accepted in the U.K. use the Chip & PIN system. Check with your bank as many U.S. cards do not use the electronic chip. Students will want to have the equivalent of $150-$250 pocket money for snacks and souvenirs. Travelers checks are a bad idea as they are not accepted everywhere.

7 INSTRUMENTS Transporting: All instruments not fitting within the airline s maximum carry-on bag dimensions (likely including French horns without detachable bells, trombones, tuba, and cellos) will have to be checked as luggage and must be in hard cases designed for this purpose. If you have never been on tour before, ask your teacher about how to secure your instrument. Make sure your name is on the INSIDE and OUTSlDE of your instrument case and you address is taped INSIDE ONLY. ISO will pay the additional fee for instruments that must be checked. ISO will rent contrabasses and percussion instruments in Aberdeen, but percussionists should bring any mallets/sticks they will need and bass players might want to bring their own bows. All cello and bass spikes must have protective coverings so that they do not damage rehearsal and concert hall floors. Insurance: ISO is not responsible for insuring member's instruments. Please check your parents' homeowner's policy to ensure that your instrument is insured against theft and breakage in foreign countries. Proof of Purchase: Although we don t anticipate a problem bringing your instrument through customs, we recommend that you have a copy of a receipt or appraisal for your instrument. Keep it with your other important documents. GENERAL BEHAVIOR Please read carefully the Code of Conduct! Concert attendance: All musicians must be at each concert or rehearsal at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start. Buses: Buses will depart promptly. PLEASE BE ON TIME. Chaperones: Small groups of students will be assigned to each chaperone. He/she will be responsible for making sure you are where you should be, including room checks at night. Failure to obey a chaperone or ISO staff member is a serious offense, which will be dealt with according to the transgression. A representative from the tour company and three ISO staff members will also be with the group at all times, but your assigned chaperone is your first go-to person. HOTEL CHARGES INCURRED All hotel charges incurred, except the charge for room, tax, porterage fees, and scheduled meals, must be paid by each individual before departure from each hotel. Try to accomplish this in advance as there are long lines at departure time. Minibars and dialed telephone calls can be extremely expensive. Each member must check out of each hotel personally. Charges will be made for lost keys prior to departure. TIME ZONE Scotland is five hours ahead of Eastern Time: when it is 5:00 p.m. in Scotland, it s just noon in New York. (So calling home when you wake up at 8:30 p.m. is not such a good idea (3:30 a.m. in NYC).) TELEPHONE Check with your cell phone carrier to see if you will incur roaming charges to use your phone in Scotland. Wi-Fi should be available around the University, so consider ing or Skyping home instead of phoning. ISO staff will be blogging regularly during the trip to keep everyone up to date on what we re doing. SOUVENIRS United States customs allows you to bring back up to $400 in goods duty free. If you come close to this, you will need receipts to justify your purchase amount. Otherwise it is not necessary to save them. LANGUAGE AND CUSTOMS Ensure that you refer to someone as a Scot at all times and not Scotch, which is an alcoholic beverage. Additionally, you should not refer to their kilts as skirts; it is their traditional dress normally worn to work and even meetings. Notably, Scots are very proud of their culture and unique wardrobe, and do not take it kindly when other people joke about it. (And please don t ask them what they are wearing under a kilt!) Scots generally are friendly and will start conversations with strangers very easily. They are modest when it comes to business etiquette, such as shaking hands lightly and respect for personal space. Scots consider talking loudly to be offensive, and if you always tend to talk loudly, it would help to tone it down. Do not break into a line (which they call a queue ). It is considered very rude to push ahead in a line. While Scotland has been part of the United Kingdom for three centuries, they gained the right to have their own parliament in 1999, something of which they are quite proud.