The Rampart Instrumental Music program has been invited to perform in the 2010 London New Year’s Day Parade & Gala Concert Series.  The marching and concert opportunities this trip affords, opens this trip up to all Rampart HS instrumental music program students.

The New Year’s London Parade, now in its third decade, has established itself as the most significant and prestigious annual event in the world for international performance groups. The event is supported by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and boasts a list of active patrons and supporters including the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, The Prime Minster of Great Britain, and the Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster. The New Year’s Day Parade is the largest event of its kind in the world with a street audience often approaching one million people, and a worldwide television audience counted in hundreds of millions.  The Gala Concert Series is performed before large and enthusiastic audiences in magnificent venues including The Church of St. Augustine, St. John's Smith Square, and Harrow School.

The cost of this trip is approximately $3000 per student at the current exchange rate.  The total cost of the trip would be divided over the year, and fees would be collected each month from November 2008 through November 2009.   Fees can be supplemented through student account fundraisers such as SCRIP, Entertainment Books, Butter Braid, and Pasta sales.

This trip will require a major fundraising effort from all band boosters and students, and will be the annual trip for the 2009-2010 school year.  We are soliciting input from students and parents to gauge the level of interest and commitment before we accept this invitation.  This trip will be the main topic of discussion at this month’s Boosters meeting on Thursday, August 21st at 7:00PM.  Your attendance is encouraged.  If you cannot attend, but have some thoughts/opinions on this trip proposal, please e-mail the board president or vice presidents.  The board/school must make a decision on whether to accept the invitation proposal by early September.