<p>I would appreciate it if anyone who has participated would post advice for those considering it. Apparently these are state-level programs (ours is Missouri), but they all seem to have a similar format. </p>
<p>I'm not concerned about how it will look on a resume, just want to know if it's a worthwhile experience (from both musical and travel perspectives) and worth the money. Thank you!!</p>
<p>I did this in July. It was really a lot of fun...I don't know if it's the same for all states, but our Hawaiian group went to London, Paris, Switzerland, Venice, Austria, and Germany. If you're going with the hope of really seeing a lot/getting to know countries...don't count on it. You do see a lot, but for brief amounts of time for each.</p>
<p>If the program does go to these same places, though, I would definitely go. It gives you an idea of where you'd like to go back later, and gives you a nice taster of Europe. The concerts are pretty fun--ours were great because we had hula dancers, as well as Japanese and Filipino dancers. You will loooove Champery, Switzerland. If you want to know anything about the specific places, let me know and I'll tell you what I can remember.</p>
<p>If you're a drinker, you'll also love it--with the low drinking ages, the kids in my group had a pretty great time. Though I guess that depends on your chaperones--ours didn't care one way or the other, lol.</p>
<p>It was definitely worth the money, and the experience of performing for so many people all around the world was really great. It's nice, too, that the ONLY times you play are for the shows--no practices that'll waste your time.</p>
<p>Let me know if you want more info!</p>
<p>Thanks, Dani, that's helps a lot. The info meeting is tonight, so we'll find out more. I'd be thrilled just to go to Hawaii!</p>
<p>Could anyone who is familiar with this program please share their impression of it? It's where a HS musical contingent from our state tours Europe for 16 days of sightseeing and performing. I know it's not intended to be an 'honor' thing, but it sounds like a great experience. For one thing, I'm concerned about the large size of the group - apparently in the 150-300 range. I'm wondering if just the logistics (boarding and unboarding buses, checking into and out of hotels, etc.) for a group that size would take too large a chunk out of their days. For the heftly cost, I wouldn't want my S spending all his time sitting around waiting! Thank you very much for a perspective on this or anything else you know about it.</p>
<p>DontPanic-
Where are you from? Both my daughters participated in Ambassadors of Music--we live in Arizona. The groups were very large as you mentioned, but the coordination of the tour was superb. The expectations of the kids are high and they seemed to live up to it--good behavior, prompt, courteous, etc. There did seem to be a lot of bus time. Both my girls were happy with their experience. It started a travel bug with my youngest d. She went to France last year in a Sister City program and is going to Europe this summer backpacking with a group of friends. Daughters' trips to Europe-4 Mom's trips to Europe-0. I have a lot of catching up to do. </p>
<p>If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me. I'll try to answer them.</p>
<p>Thanks, Rbinaz!</p>
<p>That's good to hear; I hope our group is as well-organized as yours. Sounds like your Ds were happy with their experience. We're in Missouri. My son is very interested (he plays trumpet and would love to do the jazz band). Did the performances seem to be well received?</p>
<p>I had a D participate in the program several years ago. She still keeps in touch with the friends she made on the trip and couldn't say enough great things about the experience. For her, the highlight was performing at the Montreaux (sp?) festival in Switzerland. They performed in both urban and rural concerts. The rural concerts were actually her favorite venue. She said entire communities would welcome them and come to hear them perform, bringing the students food and gifts. She also reported that the trips were well-operated and ran smoothly. Would love to hear about your S's experiences!</p>
<p>That sounds great Silence, thanks. And welcome to CC! I'm somewhat of a newbie myself. AoM isn't until next summer, I'm just trying to decide before the due date for the deposit, June 15. I think my son's maturity level will be the issue here!</p>
<p>In the post-911 era, I have to worry about the security of large groups of US students touring in Europe. What kind of security precautions are taken for these groups?
I realize my kid would have to show some individual responsibility, I guess I just need reassurance about baby going off into the great big world.</p>
<p>PiccoloMom, just to let you know this thread is almost five years old. </p>
<p>There’s a date on each post above the poster’s name.</p>
<p>I’m the OP. Thread’s old 911 was fresher then than now. My son did go on the trip and had a fantastic time. It’s expensive - a family trip would be a lot less per person - but he sure wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much! Anyway, as for security, I really don’t remember it being an issue. It was discussed - they had small groups responsible for each other, and that they did a bed check every night whereever they were. (post-trip, I got the impression that the kids had been very responsible.) But at the pre-meetings, parents seemed to be more concerned about ‘underage’ drinking than security.</p>
<p>My son went last summer with a group from Ohio. The group included both a choral group and orchestra so it was pretty large. My son had a wonderful time (he got to sing a solo in St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice) and everything went off without a hitch. While Ambassadors of Music is the overall group the is in charge of the group, each state group has their own group of volunteers and state organizers that are in charge of the trip. The people in charge from Ohio have done the trip every other year for I think 10 - 15 years so they had it down pretty good.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision making.</p>
<p>My son went last summer with the Oregon group. They had a great time and the tour was well organized. It may sound a bit sappy, but I think groups like this improve security for Americans abroad by being such great representatives for American youth.</p>
<p>Is there a group like this for Southern California? A website I could look at?</p>
<p>Your high school band director should know if there is a group for your area. It may be too late for this year’s tour as they do plan well in advance.</p>
<p>I had almost sent in my money for the Ohio choral one. I heard it was a blast. However, it was between a junky car and the trip, or a decent car. Well, and I was 16 so I went with the car. But I totally regret it. Heard nothing but good things.</p>
<p>My mom and I are going with the Tennessee group next summer. I can’t wait!! I don’t know how I’ll raise the money, but for Europe I’ll find a way. can anyone who already went tell me where their favorite place was?</p>
<p>My son went on the 2008 Colorado Ambassadors trip. It was a wonderful experience! With extras it was almost $5000 (much of it for airfar), but it was 16 days and incredibly well organized. Parents got a copy of the highly detailed daily agenda plans. </p>
<p>The coordinators plan everything very, very well. For security reasons there was a rule that students were not allowed to ride mass transit, but mostly the tour buses covered their needs. In London they took some side trips with chaperones (music teachers) and split taxi fare. </p>
<p>We paid half of the cost, and son paid half (but then my dad covered half of his half). The trip gave my son the travel bug and the strong desire to do a semester abroad or co-op abroad.</p>
<p>If your child goes, find a way to splurge for the London show option (about $60)… maybe as birthday gift beforehand.</p>
<p>I did the Ambassadors of Music tour for Illinois in 1994 and it was worth every penny. My family raised all of the money in our tiny Southern Illinois 1200 people town and it was a trip of a lifetime for me. The group was large and to be honest I DID get lost in Paris once but that was my own fault as I was very shy and kept to myself at the time. I didn’t know anyone else on the tour and every other child on the tour was from the Chicago area nearly 8 hrs away from me. I highly recommend talking with your child about the importance of the buddy system as this would have helped me. Luckily I wasn’t lost but just for a few hours and made my way back just fine. Scary event but taught me a lot.
I love the concerts that we did and the people that come to see the concerts are more than happy to see the kids perform, it was amazing. It makes you feel like you are really doing something in the world. I absolutely loved the sightseeing, the shopping, the memories… all of it. My favorite evening was after the polka/fondue party in Morgins Switzerland, I went for a walk up a trail on a nearby mountain and one of the trumpet players was on the other side of the valley playing taps as the sun went down. I sat on the ground and just cried it was so beautiful. That is by far my most favorite and most special memory. It was worth every penny and every step I had to take to raise that money for it.
My own son is going on the Colorado Ambassadors trip next year and I couldn’t be prouder. I am of course going with him and will enjoy every moment with him as if it were the first time I was there. I can’t wait to hear his trumpet echoing in Switzerland…</p>
<p>My son went last summer and loved it!</p>