ITINERARY and TRIP info (Itinerary, packing list, concert attire): Please see the updated itinerary and trip info here. 

NEW – ROOMING LIST: Will be posted Friday, June 10. No you can’t change your room. : )

NEW – STAYING IN TOUCH: Here are a number of different options for reaching TRYPO staff or your child during the trip. Please keep in mind that cell service might be spotty at French Woods, so if try the tour phone number and it goes to voicemail, keep in mind the other options here. We will try to stay on top of all of them. 

• Text TRYPO staff through REMIND APP. (You will be automatically assigned to your Conquer Carnegie group from info on the trip registration form.)
• TOUR PHONE NUMBER: A special phone number that will be updated here on Friday June 10, 2022 will forward directly to Lindsey Nova’s cell phone or another staff member on call if needed. Yes it really will ring her cell phone. Please don’t use it unless it’s an emergency. She’s trusting you. TRYPO Tour Number: 412-745-9863.
• Call the TRYPO office and leave a message. We will be monitoring messages.
• While group is at French Woods: Call the main switchboard at French Woods 607-637-8400. Tell them you need to speak to a TRYPO student or ask to be put through to Brian Worsdale.
• While group is at French Woods: If you wish to reach Brian Worsdale’s desk directly you can try to call his DIRECT line 607-637-8434.
• Please note: We are getting A LOT of calls and e-mails this week. Which is fine! We are seeing all the e-mails and voicemails, so please be patient if you don’t reach someone right away!

HOTEL:

All guests for both the student tour and the companion tour will be staying at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. 811 7th Avenue, W 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

3 concerts (4 for Symphonette), instrument rentals (for large non-transportable instruments like timpani, harp, keyboard), most meals, lodging (bunks at camp and quad-occupancy at NYC hotel), t-shirt, bus transportation, music prep, music licenses, etc. At this time, we are working on including the required testing as outlined below.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

Snacks and extras, souvenirs, laundry expenses, concert tickets for family members.

COVID MITIGATION PROTOCOLS TO DATE (Subject to change):

• Highlights of Carnegie Hall’s COVID-19 requirements:
  • Vaccination: Everyone entering Carnegie Hall (performers and audience alike) will be required to show proof of full vaccination. (Boosters are no longer required.)
  • Carnegie Hall has accepted the following testing protocols for TRYPO:
    • All Participants must submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test to TRYPO prior to bus departure (sample collected after 8am Wed. June 8 or 72 hours prior to arrival on campus at French Woods.)
    • All Participants must submit negative rapid test to TRYPO (sample collected after 8pm on Friday June 10 or 12 hours prior to arrival on campus at French Woods.)
    • Wind/Brass musicians will submit negative rapid test (sample collected at French Woods on Tuesday, June 14.)
  • Masks required at Carnegie Hall. However, while actively performing on stage, wind, brass, solo vocalists, conductors, and speakers (who have all shown negative test result) may remove their masks after submitting a negative PCR COVID-19 test. Bell covers are not required.
  • If a participant has recently recovered from COVID-19 within 90 days of the concert date and therefore could still have a positive PCR test even though recovered, that participant must submit a doctor’s note.
  • To see an FAQ page with more specifics about Carnegie Hall COVID mitigation requirements as provided by our concert presenter, click HERE. (UPDATED 5.22)
• French Woods’ COVID-19 requirements: PCR and rapid test prior to arrival. (Masks TBA)
• School TBA COVID-19 requirements: No specific requirements. Mask friendly.

COST AND PAYMENT OPTIONS:

The fee per student is $975.00 (this still leaves TRYPO about $25,000 to raise) and we will do everything we can to make this possible for any student who wants to attend. (We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to protect your investment! Please note this must be purchased PRIOR TO your final payment to TRYPO. See the section marked “Trip Cancellation Insurance” for more information about an option World Projects has arranged for you!)

Deductions to the total that may apply include:
$-150.00 if a student is already enrolled at French Woods.
$-120.00 if a student will not be riding the bus in BOTH directions. (No discount for a one-way trip.)

Payment options are as follows:

1) Option A – Pay in Full: You will receive an invoice for the full amount of $975.00 and are not participating in fund-raising activities towards your participation fee. (You can still participate in fund-raising activities to benefit the scholarship fund.)

2) Option B – Payment Plan/Fund-raising: We will set you up on a payment plan of three payments of $325 automatically charged on March 25, April 25, and May 25. If you are participating in fund-raisers towards your participation fee, all credits will be applied to your final invoice.

3) Option C – Payment Plan/Fund-raising + Scholarship Request: If you select this option, we’ll set up a time to work with you on a combo plan that makes this opportunity possible for your family.

REGISTRATION:

• REGISTRATION: The initial registration deadline is Friday, March 18, 2022 to confirm your participation. To register, click here: Conquer Carnegie RSVP
• Forms, Forms, Forms, Forms: You know that any overnight trip has a million and a half forms! Good news – it’s all available digitally. (You’re welcome, trees.) To fill out your forms, please click here: Conquer Carnegie All the Forms. (Due at your earliest convenience but no later than June 1, 2022)

 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS FOR ALUM PARTICIPANTS:

Please refer to the YPO Student Tour details section above for most of the details about the tour. Here are a few other pertinent details that apply to alums.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS FOR ALUMS WHO HAVE GRADUATED:

Some of our alums have graduated from high school. We expect our alums who have graduated to understand the impact that their behavior can have on students who may look up to you. All alums who have graduated must agree they will not drink or smoke on this trip and will speak and act in a way that sets a good example for other students. Alums who have graduated will most likely be housed with other alums who have graduated. A room of graduated alums will not have a nightly room check in NYC, but are expected to be on time for all aspects of the itinerary. If an alum is rooming with a high school student for any reason (ex: siblings/mutual request), that alum will need to agree to follow all safety protocols established by TRYPO staff, including room check.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS FOR ALUMS WHO HAVE NOT GRADUATED:

Alums who are under 18 years old will be required to follow all the behavior expectations and protocols for all students.

PART ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALUMS:

Mr. Worsdale will work on part assignments for alums that keeps you busy on stage. Priority for solos and principal parts will likely go to current YPO students, but you all will have plenty to do!

CONQUER CARNEGIE 2022: COMPANION TOUR DETAILS

The Companion Tour takes care of your concert ticket, hotel room, and dinner at a nice nearby restaurant – AND is a small fundraiser for the Student Tour! $100 of each Companion Tour registration supports the Student Tour! Space may be limited!

ITINERARY : Click HERE (updated 5.26.22).

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Concert ticket, official tour t-shirt, hotel room (one night: June 14), dinner at restaurant near Carnegie Hall.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

Snacks and extras, souvenirs, laundry expenses, all other meals, transportation.

HOTEL:

All guests for both the student tour and the companion tour will be staying at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. 811 7th Avenue, W 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019.

PRE-CONCERT DINNER:

Dinner before Carnegie Hall is included at Carmines. Previous pre-concert dinners at this location have consisted of a delicious set menu of Italian-American dishes served family style. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

CARNEGIE HALL:

Your package includes a ticket to the Carnegie Hall concert for each participant.  Please be sure and review Carnegie Hall’s policy on audience vaccination, masks, and entrance protocols and ensure that you can comply: See here. We will keep you posted of any changes as they are communicated to us by our presenter but we must be prepared to follow the protocols that are currently in effect.

Per person cost if Four Guests to a Room	Per person cost if Three Guests to a Room	Per person cost if Two Guests to a Room	Per person cost if One Guest in a Room
$378.00	$398.00	$448.00	$588.00

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Payment options are as follows:

1) Option A – Pay in Full: You will receive an invoice for the full amount.

2) Option B – Payment Plan: We will set you up on a payment plan of three payments automatically charged on March 25, April 25, and May 25. (Depending on the timing of your registration, the first payment might take place the following week by March 31.)

REGISTRATION:

• REGISTRATION: The initial registration deadline is Monday, March 28, 2022 to confirm your participation. To register, click here: COMPANION TOUR REGISTRATION
• Forms, Forms, Forms, Forms: You know that any overnight trip has a million and a half forms! We are working on putting these into a digital format so they are easier to submit, but if you would like to see drafts in the meantime, please let us know. [LINK COMING SOON!]. The form packet will include:
  • TRYPO Liability Waiver and Release Form,
  • World Projects Liability Waiver, and
  • World Projects Medical Form.

Student Fundraising: Calling Volunteers to coordinate opportunities for students to raise their own funds!

Organization Fundraising: TRYPO needs to raise about $25,000 to help fund scholarships!

I hope you are looking forward to our trip to NEW YORK!  As a reminder, our package does not include Cancellation Insurance, but for those interested in purchasing upgraded coverage (including Cancel For Any Reason insurance), World Projects through Travel Insured is offering the opportunity to purchase below.

This is completely optional, as is purchasing through Travel Insured. Everyone is encouraged to make the decision surrounding coverage and provider that best suits their individual needs. If you are planning on purchasing upgraded coverage OUTSIDE the links below, please speak with your provider about the time frame in which you are obligated to purchase, as many have specific windows surrounding your deposit.

HERE is a PDF which outlines coverage and pricing for both the Student Deluxe product as well as the Student Deluxe with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) product.

Below are links that will allow you to purchase upgraded coverage for your trip. Rates are based on overall trip cost and not age. You will need to enter your full trip cost for accurate coverage. For either plan you will need to make your purchase prior to final trip payment in order to qualify for the pre-existing medical condition waiver. Please view the links below to purchase. You can purchase one plan at a time. For questions on the plan, coverage or procedures, please contact the Group Desk at Travel Insured at 1-844-440-8113 or Groups@travelinsured.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Cancellation insurance must be purchased prior to your final payment to TRYPO! 

STUDENT DELUXE (without CFAR coverage): https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=140300&guid=9bdd999035d2422daba01c08f4fb9f74

 

STUDENT DELUXE (with CFAR coverage): https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=140301&guid=7a44144f855144b7aa8925f5e984450b

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COMPANION TOUR TRIP INSURANCE: The policies linked above are just for the student side of the tour. World Projects has given us an option for trip insurance for the Companion Tour. It is a bit different than the student tour. Please see info below:

LINK: http://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=48497
Instructions:

• When we tested this link, it did not work on Chrome on at least one computer, but did work on other browsers such as Edge and Explorer. When you click on it, you should see a landing page with a beautiful photo/vista and in the middle of the screen it says “Where are you going” and “Get A Quote”.  If your browser is not compatible, you’ll simply see a white screen with World Projects Corporation at the top. If you see the white screen with nothing else, try another browser.
• Once you know you’re in the right spot, scroll down to the section that says “Our Travel insurance Benefits Include… Trip & Flights Cancellation / Travel Medical & Evacuation / Baggage Delay & Loss.” Click on “View Plans.”
• A screen will pop up and say “No Plans Found” but don’t worry! You need to enter your residence: Country: United States and State: Pennsylvania.
• Once you enter your residence you will see the coverage options pop up!
  • Worldwide Trip Protector Plus (includes Cancel for Any Reason) and
  • Worldwide Trip Protector (has coverage limitations).
• Please note that Worldwide Trip Protector Plus with the Cancel for Any Reason insurance MUST be purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit!

As we get questions that might apply to more than one student, we will post them here.

What is the fee if my child is already planning to be at French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts over the same dates?

There will be a reduction in the registration fee to TRYPO of $150.00.

What kinds of activities will my child get to do at French Woods?

Oh we’re excited for you. In addition to TRYPO rehearsals and getting ready for our concerts, your child is going to get to experience French Woods in all its glory! Want to check out the circus camp and the trapeze? No problem. Want to go swimming in the lake? You got it. Camp fire? Well of course. Meet other musicians who are awesome like you? Absolutely.

Will parents be able to attend the concert at French Woods?

As of now, yes!

Can my child ride with me instead of on the bus and is there any savings on the fee if so?

Perhaps depending on your travel plans. If your child will not ride the bus at all, there can be a small reduction in the student participation fee, but there can be no reduction if your child is only riding the bus one-way.

Can we buy our own tickets to Carnegie Hall if we are not doing the Companion Tour?

Yes! They are not on sale yet, but as soon as the presenter sends us more info about that, we will get you know. It will probably be about a month before the concert. You didn’t miss it.

Is it possible that Carnegie Hall’s COVID-19 safety protocols (like the PCR test or booster requirement) could change?

Given that Carneige Hall has changed the protocols several times already in the past six months, it is certainly possible that additional changes could also arise (whether that is adding additional measures or loosening the measures that are in place). As we all know too well by now, COVID-19 is unpredictable but we are experts at rolling with the punches! We will of course keep you notified as soon as we hear of any changes but we will continue our planning process with the protocols that are in effect.

I see in the materials that a payment plan will be offered. How will that be set up?

The fee will be divded into three payments which will be processed on March 25, April 25, and May 25. The charges happen automatically, so you won’t have to do anything else!

If you already have a credit card and payment plan on file, your selection on your registration form gives us permission to update your payment plan on file. If you are new to the payment plan, once we receive your registration, we will send you a simple form authorizing us to put a credit card on file for the payments.

If you are participating in fund-raising activities to off-set your participation fee, any funds earned will be credited to the final payment. If you end up earning more than the amount of the final payment, you can either direct your credit for Fall 2022 tuition, ask for a refund, or direct your fundraising efforts to the scholarship fund to help other families.

Has the lodging location been determined for the Companion Tour?

As of now, our presenter is anticipating this will be at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
811 7th Avenue, W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

If students are already going to be at the French Woods Festival before the trip, how will they get back to French Woods at the conclusion of the trip?

We will arrange for transportation or parents can decide to drive their child back to French Woods if they prefer.

Do the students have to go to the French Woods part of the trip?

The French Woods portion of the trip has the rehearsals and the first performance, so it would be difficult to conceive of a scenario where a student would not participate in that portion of the trip. However, we will consider any such requests on a case by case basis.

Will the students be doing any sight seeing in NYC?

Considering the complications and unpredicatability of COVID-19, as we were planning this first trip after the COVID-19 we deliberately chose to limit our time in New York City to give us the best chance of a safe experience for the students.

Can you accommodate my child’s food allergies? (Nuts, dairy, etc.)

French Woods for the Performing Arts is a nut-free campus and their dining hall has plenty of experience accommodating dietary needs of all sorts! Our presenter World Projects will be arranging for the pre-Carnegie Hall restaurant. This was their response: “We always communicate food allergies to restaurants, who are always very accommodating.  To properly prepare, we ask that your travelers with concerns include their specific allergies on their medical waiver as well as in the Master List you will send my way.  This way, we can send it to the restaurant ahead of time and discuss further if their limitations are severe.” This leaves a few free meals/rest stops which can be sorted out together with a little bit of fore-thought! We don’t anticipate an issue accommodating dietary needs.

We may have schedule conflicts – is it possible to meet the group in New York City just for the Carnegie Hall concert?

All of the rehearsals and the first concert will take place at French Woods so this is an important component of this trip. While we will consider every request on a case by case basis, it is expected that students will participate on the full trip.

How do roommate assignments work?

Students can request roommates on the registration form and we will make best efforts to accommodate those requests. We will assign students maximum 4 to a room, and those rooming assignments will also be used to create French Woods cabin assignments. In a situation where we are assigning students to a room (whether because roommate requests overlap, or because there was no roommate request), we look at ages and schools where possible to make compatible assignments. No, we can’t change your roommate assignment. Sorting out your roommate requests is one of the most complicated projects we do!

Can my child stay with me in the NYC hotel?

The roommate experience is an integral part of the trip. We will consider a special request if there are extraordinary circumstances, but all students should expect to be rooming with other students.

Is it possible for a student to stay after the tour with a family member in New York?

Yes! If a family would like to pick up their child in NYC after the final performance, you will be able to arrange for a designated “Pick Up Person” by submitting a form ahead of time. The “Pick Up Person” will need to show proof of identification before the child will be released to their care. There is a final school concert in New York City on the morning of Wednesday, June 15 prior to our return to Pittsburgh, so please be advised that we expect that students will participate in all performances of the trip.

Is the Companion Tour cost the same for an adult as a child?

Yes, the cost is the same for all participants on the Companion Tour regardless of age.

If we want to stay more than one night at the Sheraton, can we do that?

If you are interested in extending your stay at the Sheraton, you will need to book that separately on your own. However, if you give us the confirmation number, we will pass that along to the presenter to see if they can link the reservations and keep you in the same room. In order for that to work, you will need to be sure and book either one bed (queen) or two beds (full-size) as those are the room types that have been allocated to our group. If you book a different room type, Sheraton will likely not be able to keep you in the same room.

Can we sign up for pieces of the Companion Tour?

No, I’m sorry we can’t split off the components of the companion tour. The presenter isn’t offering that option and we just don’t have the staff capacity to do that!

What is the cost of the Carnegie Hall tickets if we are buying them ourselves and when will they go on sale?

We have been told that the tickets will be $40/each. They will go on sale to the general public perhaps one month or so before the concert. When they go on sale to the public, we will post the link on this page. (Those registering for the Companion Tour do not need to purchase tickets separately.)

What instruments are being rented/provided on site and what instruments should be brought?

We will provide large instruments like harp, keyboard, larger percussion. Celli and bass players should plan to bring their instruments. Percussionists should work with TRYPO staff to make sure we are bringing all smaller equipment not being provided by French Woods or Carnegie Hall.

Have we mentioned that we’re excited?? [Actual question from actual parent. We love it.]

Yes!! We’re hearing it from everyone! But we never tire of hearing it so keep it coming!

NEW – Re: French Woods technology policy with phones being parked in Mr. Worsdale’s office – does the same policy apply to ipads and laptops?

No the same policy does not apply to ipads or laptops. We will not be collecting anything other than a cell phone. However, we encourage students to consider leaving ipads and laptops at home – if you choose to bring them you bring them at your own risk.

NEW – Is a digital camera permitted at French Woods?

Yes.

 

NEW – Can my family say hello to our musician after the Carnegie Hall concert?

Carnegie Hall’s layout does not have a good place for a gathering after the concert. The students will be walking to the hotel immediately after the concert. Families are welcome to meet their musician in the hotel lobby (Sheraton) after the concert for a quick hello and BRAVI TUTTI!

 

NEW –  What happens if my PCR test is positive?

If your PCR test is positive with a sample collected after 8:00am today (Wednesday), then we are so sorry that you won’t be able to join us. HOWEVER… Update as of 6.9.22:

•  In some cases, we have understood that your doctor may not want to provide an exemption note unless the PCR test was positive. The PCR exemption note from your doctor can apply after the fact. Please notify us and plan to take a rapid test on Friday as scheduled.
• We have gotten a little more clarification from Carnegie Hall on their timeline for a positive PCR test. Please contact us for more information if your test is positive from a sample collected on 6.8.22. 

 

NEW – If I have a PCR exemption note from my doctor due to recent COVID exposure, do I still have to take a rapid test on Friday night.

Yes, the advice we have received and the research we have done indicates that a positive rapid test may mean that you are still actively shedding virus and could be contagious.

 

NEW – I submitted a PCR exemption request – will I receive notification it has been approved and next steps?

Thank you for asking – we will individually email each family who requested an exemption with its status. (I don’t believe there are any we haven’t approved, but there could be a case where an e-mail perhaps wasn’t received.) Next steps would be to continue to take a rapid test Friday night after 8pm (or no earlier than 24 hours before arriving at French Woods campus if travelling separately).

 

NEW – What happens if I have a PCR test exemption because I have had COVID recently, and my rapid test is positive on Friday?

We will look at all the factors together and try to make the best decision for all involved. We know that COVID is complicated and not all bodies react to COVID in the same way.

 

NEW – What happens if my PCR test result doesn’t come back in time for the bus departure?

We will request documentation that the test has been completed, and that the individual show a negative rapid test with the sample collected Friday night after 8pm (or no earlier than 24 hours before arriving at French Woods campus if travelling separately). We will ask for an honest appraisal if the individual is experiencing any COVID symptoms. The individual will need to commit to stay masked on the bus and at French Woods until the PCR test result is in. As soon as the negative PCR result is in and uploaded, the individual will be allowed to take their mask off at French Woods. In the event the PCR is positive, the individual will be isolated and a parent/guardian must immediately come pick up the individual. Alternatively, the parent/guardian could decide to wait and bring the individual late as soon as the results come in if they prefer.

 

NEW – What kind of rapid test is acceptable?

Any of the standard home tests are fine such as Binax Now. We know that our families care about each other and want to keep each other safe. Make sure the test is marked with the individual’s name, the date of the test, and the time the sample was collected. Take a photo of the test result to upload. (Rapid test should be taken after 8pm on Friday night or 24 hours prior to arrival at French Woods campus).