My first quote by the Associated Press

June 22nd, 2010 by Patrick Connor

…COMMUNICATION: Your domestic cell phone carrier may offer a good short-term international plan or an international SIM card for your phone.

Another option is to buy a cheap international phone. STA Travel sells international phones for $39, with $20 worth of call time.

But these days, “most kids don’t actually talk on their phones,” observed Patrick Connor, a vice president of SYTA and president of Director’s Choice Tour & Travel, which coordinates performance tours for student musical groups. Instead, many teens prefer to text and post updates on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter.

That’s a great way for parents to see what they’re up to – as long as you don’t mind not hearing their voices. Just make sure you inquire about international data rates for cell phones to cover texting and Internet service overseas.

“If someone doesn’t get an international data or texting plan, they can end up with a multi-hundred dollar bill,” Connor said…

Link To The Full Story

Posted in Personal Improvement, Student Travel, Travel Journal | Comments (0)

Interesting Phone Call From American Airlines

June 21st, 2010 by Patrick Connor

A few days before a recent flight, I received a call from American Airlines. My first reaction when I saw the caller ID was, please tell me they did not cancel my flight 2 days before departure! I hesitantly answered, and spoke with an agent (sales person) calling to inform me that I could change my flight to another (earlier) flight on the day for a fee. I was knocked so far into thought about what was happening that I almost forgot to answer.

My thoughts in “stream of consciousness form”…

  • Is she selling me something?
  • What nerve!
  • Wait, I do want to change my flight to an earlier time if the price is right (I had booked a flight at less than convenient times because it was some $250 less expensive)
  • What a great idea.  Maybe this is the answer to the airlines financial challenge.
  • Now that the airline industry knows how to make money – do I still have to pay for my bags?

Once I finally returned to the call, she informed me that it would cost about $40 and I could have my choice of flights.  I agreed, and she charged the card on file and all was done.  Actually, she emailed my new reservation to the email address on file as well.

After the call, it struck me what an interesting idea this really is.  Think about it – By moving people earlier in the day, it opens up more available seats for afternoon/evening travel.  Additionally, my flight might have been oversold or may now be able to produce more revenue for the airline.  Either way, they got my $40 and I am a happy customer.

For the “Up In The Air” types that may read this, you are correct – this option has been available.  On the day of travel, it has been possible to change flights and request upgrades, but only if you were an experienced-enough traveler to know how to ask (or use the kiosk).  The call I received takes that concept to the masses.

Who knows how effective this program will prove to be, but I for one am thrilled by the idea!

Posted in Travel Journal | Comments (0)

What Is Your Group Travel Contingency Plan?

April 9th, 2010 by Patrick Connor

So you have planned the perfect group travel experience. The itinerary is jam-packed with life-changing opportunities. As long as everything goes as planned, the group is going to have a great time.

So what will you do if everything doesn’t go as planned? Will a delayed flight, flat tire, lost passport, or air carrier strike be a bump in the road or will it ruin the trip?

Very seldom does a group trip run exactly as planned – there are simply too many variables! Amazingly, most challenges can be kept behind the scenes by taking a few simple precautions:

  • Work with a professional travel planner experienced in working with groups like yours
  • Travel with an experienced Tour Director
  • Educate travelers
  • Purchase travel insurance
  • Make copies of important documents

WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL PLANNER EXPERIENCED IN WORKING WITH GROUPS LIKE YOURS
I am always amazed when I hear about groups – large groups – that utilize the services of a friend or relative that “used to be in the travel business.”  As a professional student travel planner, I participate in ongoing professional development sessions, attend numerous industry conferences, maintain a $2 million insurance policy, and travel with dozens of groups each year.  My active participation in the student travel industry helps me select the best vendors, negotiate the best prices/terms with suppliers, and maintain a support system that allows me to deal with unforeseen complications.  When something goes wrong, it is very likely that I have the cell phone number for the person/people that can help make things right.  If the person/company responsible for planning your trip can’t say the same – find someone else.

TRAVEL WITH AN EXPERIENCED TOUR DIRECTOR
Insist that your travel planner contract an experienced Tour Director for your trip.  Then, let him do his job!  Experienced Tour Directors are not (necessarily) guides.  Their job is to coordinate the logistics of your trip to ensure that every traveler – even you – can stay relaxed and enjoy the travel experience.

EDUCATE TRAVELERS
When I am traveling as a Tour Director, I start each tour by telling the group “Something is going to go wrong on this trip – A flight is going to be delayed, a bus will break down, it’s gonna rain or snow unexpectedly – something.  You can either enjoy the extra time with your friends or let it ruin your trip.  Remember – happiness is a choice!”  Most of the time, this sets the tone for travelers to be understanding of the everyday challenges involved in group travel.  On the few occasions that I haven’t been able to give my pre-trip pep talk, people get immediately sour the second that something complicates or delays our travel.  Since most of the people that travel with my groups are not experienced travelers, I believe that knowing the issues we will face are not unique to their group sets them at ease.

PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance – the good stuff – that covers cancellation, delay, illness, accidents, etc. – is not cheap but can be a lifesaver (literally). I am not going to list all of the reasons that one may need to utilize such a policy, as I am sure that if you think for a second you can dream up 100 or more. Groups that purchase travel insurance have a tool that empowers them to deal with such challenges. Simply put, if the security and safety of your group is a priority, then travel insurance is a must!

MAKE COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Not much explanation is needed here. Have multiple copies of ID cards, Passports, Medical Releases, etc. Including a copy with someone that is not on the trip, but available to email/fax documents as needed. Sometimes having a copy of a lost Passport can mean the difference between getting home and getting stuck.

While this list is far from inclusive, I hope that it gets you thinking about your contingency plan.

Safe Travels!!!!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Insurance, Student Travel | Comments (0)

Essentially Ellington Offers Life-Changing Jazz Experience

March 14th, 2010 by Patrick Connor

Imagine your jazz band opening for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra!

The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals and performances at the “House of Swing,” Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall.

The Competition & Festival, held each May, is the culmination of the year-long Essentially Ellington program, during which members are invited to submit a recording and 15 finalist bands are selected through a rigorous screening process. Each finalist band receives an in-school workshop in their community led by a professional musician before coming to New York to put up their Dukes and perform before Wynton Marsalis and a panel of esteemed judges. In the past, finalist bands have had the priviledge to work with such workshop clinicians as trumpeter Terell Stafford; Ronald Carter, the widely respected jazz educator; Justin DiCioccio, director of Jazz Studies at Manhattan School of Music; saxophonist Loren Schoenberg; Reggie Thomas, pianist and educator; as well as Jazz at Lincoln Center’s own Victor Goines. Among the past judges have been former Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra conductor and arranger David Berger; Gunther Schuller, who, according to All Music Guide, “is composer, conductor, horn player, jazz performer, writer, administrator, publisher, and teacher, all wrapped up into one tiny bundle of seemingly endless energy”; Pulitzer Prize-nominated jazz musician and composer David Baker; and who else but Wynton Marsalis himself.

The festival concludes with a final evening Concert and Awards Ceremony open to the public at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall featuring the three top-placing bands and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Since 1997, eighty finalist bands have come to the great stages of New York City to compete in the Competition & Festival. EE alumni continue to saturate the jazz scene – teaching, performing and carrying on the vital legacy of Duke Ellington’s music. Among such alumni include the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s very own Carlos Henriquez, bassist.

If you are interested in learning more, or participating in this extraordinary event – visit their website.

Posted in Student Travel | Comments (0)

Your Choir Can Sing At Carnegie Hall – For Free!

February 19th, 2010 by Patrick Connor

Would you be interested in performing selections from Berlioz’s Requiem, conducted by Robert Spano, at Carnegie Hall in 2011? If so, the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival might be a perfect fit for your group!

The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall is now accepting applications for the 2011 National High School Choir Festival. Selected High School Choirs will enjoy:

  • One full day of rehearsal, on their home campus, with Norman Mackenzie
  • Three days of rehearsal in New York City
  • Performance at Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s under the baton of Mr. Spano

The best part is that there is no participation fee!  While groups are responsible for their own travel expenses, there is no cost for this once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity.

If you would like to find out more about the National High School Choral Festival, please feel free to contact me at (877) 328-2583 or pconnor@directorschoice.travel.

Festival Application Download (pdf)

Festival Brochure Download (pdf)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Student Travel, learning | Comments (0)

Midwest Performance Applications Due March 12

February 15th, 2010 by Patrick Connor

In my humble opinion, performing at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago is one of the most rewarding experiences that a music student can have. I cannot think of another another venue where your group can perform for a more appreciative and educated audience!

Applications for performance and clinics are due by March 12, 2010. If you are interested, click on the appropriate link below:

Click here for performance application (PDF)
Click here to enter the online clinic proposal system

Tags: ,
Posted in Student Travel | Comments (0)

Director’s Choice Sales Training

January 20th, 2010 by Patrick Connor

Last week, the sales team at Director’s Choice Tour & Travel began the process of learning Buying Facilitation® with it’s creator Sharon Drew Morgen. Our five day face-to-face training was the beginning of a 9 week training/coaching program designed to incorporate Ms. Morgen’s decision-facilitation paradigm into our sales and service methodology.

Without a doubt, the training that we received provided us with an entirely new way for our sales team to help our customers consider and navigate through their buying decisions – providing a fantastic vehicle for us to better serve our customers. Thanks to Sharon Drew’s fantastic work, her visionary ideas, a well-thought out coaching plan and a tireless effort by our eager team, I am excited to report that we have already begun reaping measurable benefits – just a few days after being immersed into a concept that was totally foreign at the outset. I cannot wait to see how our skills will progress over the next 7+ weeks, but I feel confident that we are headed for a level of success that was previously unattainable!

In addition to the application of Buying Facilitation® as a sales concept, it became immediately apparent that this ideology could – and will – weave its way throughout our entire corporate culture. In fact, we have already applied this decision-facilitation methodology to several aspects of our business with great success. Indeed, Sharon Drew also taught us how Buying Facilitation® can be used as a leadership/decision-making tool for us to us internally (team building, executive decision making, etc.) and with our clients (customer service, negotiation, problem solving, etc).

Isn’t it great when the right team, information, and presenter collide to create excellence in a form that helps to provide students with positively-life-changing experiences!!

Posted in Personal Improvement, Student Travel, learning | Comments (0)

Musical Excellence At The Midwest Clinic

December 24th, 2009 by Patrick Connor

Over the last decade, I have had the honor to travel to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago with a number of fantastic ensembles. Not surprisingly, each of these groups has presented a concert of the highest quality for their attentive and supportive audiences.

This year, however, two of the ensembles that we (Director’s Choice Tour & Travel) escorted to Chicago raised the bar for high school performing ensembles.

The Spring Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Rick Rodriguez, was unlike any academic concert I have ever witnessed. Their music was flawlessly prepared and their performance quality was on par with Blue Man Group or Stomp. From hand position, to facial expressions, to breathing – every detail was perfect. Their repertoire ranged from traditional to cutting-edge, and was mostly centered around the melodic percussion and auxiliary instruments rather than drums.

A new composition from world-renowned composer and performer She-E Wu closed the show, at which time the standing-room-only audience could barely contain themselves. A much deserved standing ovation followed, allowing ample time for the students and teachers involved with this project to know just how much it was enjoyed. As I stood clapping enthusiastically, I couldn’t help thinking “I would buy a ticket to see that again.”

After the Spring concert, I was hesitant to attend any other performances for fear that they would pale in comparison.

The next day, however, the Hebron High School Clarinet Choir, directed by Andy Sealy, presented a concert that would hold it’s own in any company.

As they opened with Bach’s Fugue in G Minor, it became clear that the audience was in for a treat!

This sixteen piece ensemble played with such musicality and technique that it was hard to believe the performers were high-school aged and not professional musicians. With a flawless stage presence, the ensemble performed works from Nelhybel, Rutter, Debussy, Grainger, and others.

Throughout the hour long performance, each piece ended with a unison whispered “wow” from the audience followed by a roaring applause. It was clear that every educator in the room new they were in the presence of excellence.

Additionally, guest oboe soloist William Wollett (a graduate of Hebron High School and student at Julliard) played beautifully and effortlessly giving one of the finest live oboe performances I have ever witnessed.

So, congratulations to the students and teachers of the Hebron High School and Spring High School ensembles. I am sure that your performances last week will have a lasting impact on all of those fortunate enough to attend.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Student Travel | Comments (0)

Writing Blog Entries With Photos from the iPhone

December 9th, 2009 by Patrick Connor

I was asked this morning about how to make a blog post with a photos from an iPhone.

Here is what I did:

Download Wordpress App to my iPhone
Enter my blog, username, and password
Write this post and click on the photo icon to add a picture

Ok, it’s as simple as that!

Tags:
Posted in Travel Journal | Comments (0)

Marcus Band Redefines Class

November 15th, 2009 by Patrick Connor

2009 BOA FinalsI am writing this from the Indianapolis Airport, headed home from a fantastic trip with the Marcus High School Band from Flower Mound Texas.

The reason for this trip was to participate in the Music For All Bands of America Grand Nationals, a marching contest featuring top high school bands from across the USA. In last night’s finals competition, the Marcus Band won top honors in the Music caption, and placed fourth overall. Congratulations to the students, teachers, and parents for an amazing end to a successful 2009 season!

While their field performances this week were world class, their “performance” off the field has been even more impressive. From the second that I met these outstanding young ladies and gentlemen at the DFW airport on Thursday, they have been nothing less than perfect. Without exception, each student has been so very polite and respectful of every person and place they have encountered that it is almost not believable. I can honestly say that in the 12 years since we started Director’s Choice, I have never heard the words “please ” and “thank you” more consistently.

Anytime the students are asked to listen, they do so – intently and immediately. During several hours of intense rehearsals, the band members remained totally focused and worked diligently to put the final touches on an already outstanding show. And, as other bands performed and were recognized, the students were so appreciative that you would think they came just to support their peers.

I hope that someday my daughter will have the opportunity be a part of an organization that understands excellence at the level achieved by the Marcus Band!

Posted in Student Travel, Travel Journal | Comments (0)

« Older Entries