Tours 2021 | 22 - Member Information
Outlined below is Member information for the band's 2021 | 22 tour plans
Confirmed overseas performances are:
- Colorado USA (September 7 to 14)
- Russia (October 17 to 24 OR 31)
- Ravensburg, Germany (December 9 to 13)
*A return visit to Belgium in October is also a possibility but is yet to be confirmed
Full information for each engagement, including travel dates, terms and deadline for confirmation of participation of each visit, is outlined below
Confirmed overseas performances are:
- Colorado USA (September 7 to 14)
- Russia (October 17 to 24 OR 31)
- Ravensburg, Germany (December 9 to 13)
*A return visit to Belgium in October is also a possibility but is yet to be confirmed
Full information for each engagement, including travel dates, terms and deadline for confirmation of participation of each visit, is outlined below
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Colorado, USA
September 7 to 14 September 11 | 12 Estes Park International Tattoo www.epitattoo.com Estes Park https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Estes_Park |
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The tour to Colorado is to participate in the Estes Park Tattoo, part of the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival. A brass band has featured in the event on three occasions previously - multiple NABBA & US Open Champions, the Fountain City Brass Band.
Performances in the Tattoo will involve a 12 minute marching display, plus participation in the opening and finale of the Tattoo, and a 9/11 20th Anniversary Tribute. Additional performers include bands & pipe bands from Canada, the USA and an International Highland Dance Team.
Tattoo performances take place daily on the evenings of September 11 and 12. An additional schools performance will be held on the morning of September 10th together with rehearsals and promotional concert performances on September 8 and 9.
International return flights from London to Denver are the responsibility of each attendee. Flights should be in the region of c.£420 but may work out slightly cheaper or more expensive dependent on when they are purchased.
All accommodation, meals and surface transport in the USA will be provided by our hosts. Accommodation and meals are provided at the YMCA of the Rockies, the Estes Park Center ymcarockies.org
Please note:
Visa Waivers (ESTAs) are required for travel to the USA. These can be purchased online and must be secured prior to travel. An ESTA costs $14 USD
Further information on the event can be found at www.epitattoo.com with specific information for participants available at www.epitattoo.com/cast-info
*The password to access the latter is EstesParkTattoo
Performances in the Tattoo will involve a 12 minute marching display, plus participation in the opening and finale of the Tattoo, and a 9/11 20th Anniversary Tribute. Additional performers include bands & pipe bands from Canada, the USA and an International Highland Dance Team.
Tattoo performances take place daily on the evenings of September 11 and 12. An additional schools performance will be held on the morning of September 10th together with rehearsals and promotional concert performances on September 8 and 9.
International return flights from London to Denver are the responsibility of each attendee. Flights should be in the region of c.£420 but may work out slightly cheaper or more expensive dependent on when they are purchased.
All accommodation, meals and surface transport in the USA will be provided by our hosts. Accommodation and meals are provided at the YMCA of the Rockies, the Estes Park Center ymcarockies.org
Please note:
Visa Waivers (ESTAs) are required for travel to the USA. These can be purchased online and must be secured prior to travel. An ESTA costs $14 USD
Further information on the event can be found at www.epitattoo.com with specific information for participants available at www.epitattoo.com/cast-info
*The password to access the latter is EstesParkTattoo
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Russia
October 17 to 24 OR 31 Moscow - Ufa Moscow https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Moscow Ufa https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ufa |
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This tour is an extension of the Symphonic Brass Wales tours to Russia undertaken in May 2017, August 2018 and May 2019.
A detailed itinerary will be made available closer to the visit itself, but will include travel to Moscow, and the Bashkortostan Republic of Ufa.
International return flights from London to Moscow are the responsibility of each attendee. Flights should be in the region of c.£200 but may work out slightly cheaper or more expensive dependent on when they are purchased.
Return internal flights will be provided by our hosts, together with all accommodation, meals, surface transport in Russia and excursions. Accommodation will be in four / five star hotels throughout.
Please note:
Visas are required for travel to Russia. This will necessitate a visit by each participant to the Russian Embassy in London to provide your visa information and digital fingerprints. This visit must be undertaken on a weekday, Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 15:00.
While visa fees are waived for us, there is a service charge applicable per visa application. These are:
Normal applications (5-20 working days service):
£38.40 (inclusive of VAT)
Urgent applications (1-3 working days service):
£45.60 (inclusive of VAT)
Please note, applicants have the option of paying visa fees by cash or Credit/Debit card (except American Express) when applying at the Visa Application Centre. Cheques are not accepted.
Postal Return of Passports:
You have the option of having your passport returned, once processed by the Embassy, via DX Secure at a nominal charge of £13.80 (in addition to the visa fees and service charges) this to be paid at the time of submitting your application. The passport will be sent directly to your home/office address as specified by you in a Special Delivery Envelope (SDE).
Further information, images and video of previous tours to Russia can be found at:
www.symphonicbrasswales.com/russia-2018
www.symphonicbrasswales.com/russia-may-2019
A detailed itinerary will be made available closer to the visit itself, but will include travel to Moscow, and the Bashkortostan Republic of Ufa.
International return flights from London to Moscow are the responsibility of each attendee. Flights should be in the region of c.£200 but may work out slightly cheaper or more expensive dependent on when they are purchased.
Return internal flights will be provided by our hosts, together with all accommodation, meals, surface transport in Russia and excursions. Accommodation will be in four / five star hotels throughout.
Please note:
Visas are required for travel to Russia. This will necessitate a visit by each participant to the Russian Embassy in London to provide your visa information and digital fingerprints. This visit must be undertaken on a weekday, Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 15:00.
While visa fees are waived for us, there is a service charge applicable per visa application. These are:
Normal applications (5-20 working days service):
£38.40 (inclusive of VAT)
Urgent applications (1-3 working days service):
£45.60 (inclusive of VAT)
Please note, applicants have the option of paying visa fees by cash or Credit/Debit card (except American Express) when applying at the Visa Application Centre. Cheques are not accepted.
Postal Return of Passports:
You have the option of having your passport returned, once processed by the Embassy, via DX Secure at a nominal charge of £13.80 (in addition to the visa fees and service charges) this to be paid at the time of submitting your application. The passport will be sent directly to your home/office address as specified by you in a Special Delivery Envelope (SDE).
Further information, images and video of previous tours to Russia can be found at:
www.symphonicbrasswales.com/russia-2018
www.symphonicbrasswales.com/russia-may-2019
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Ravensburg, Germany
December 9 to 13 Stuttgart - Ravensburg - Ulm - Baden-Wurttemberg www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Council/CouncillorsCommitteesandMeetings/Committees/CabinetInternationalLinks |
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This visit is a continuation of the longstanding twinning relationship (26 years and counting) between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Ravensburg, Germany
The proposed visit is a slightly revised repeat of the very successful visit enjoyed by Tonyrefail School Choir in December 2019. An added feature of this visit however will be a performance together with the 80 piece Stadtorchester Ravensburg at the Oberschwabenhalle, Ravensburg, which will include the premiere performance of a new work by Chris Marshall for wind orchestra and brass, commissioned for the visit by the Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT)
The plan is to depart RCT by coach, following the band's evening concert at Tonyrefail on the evening of Thursday December 9th, and travel through the night to Stuttgart. The journey is approximately 12.5 hours which, dependent on the ferry crossing time and coach breaks, should then get the band into Stuttgart before lunchtime on Fri Dec 10th.
The proposal is to stay in Stuttgart on Friday, arrange an early check in, have a restful day and take in the mulled wine & bratwursts of the Stuttgart Christmas Market that evening. There are numerous sites in the city to visit during the day for those who wish to do so www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/stuttgart-d-bw-stutt
After breakfast on Saturday morning, the coach will travel on to Ravensburg, a two hour journey. After lunch and check in at the Hotel Residenz, the band will then undertake a short performance at the Ravensburg Christkindlesmarkt, before an evening rehearsal with the Stadtorchester, following which we can enjoy an evening meal at the Muke or Il Podio restaurants
On Sunday it is proposed that the band enjoy a free morning to explore Ravensburg and the Christkindlesmarkt, ahead of an afternoon rehearsal and then evening performance at the Oberschwabenhalle. Again a social evening and meal, hopefully together with the orchestra, will follow
The band will depart Ravensburg after breakfast on Monday morning, getting everyone back on Monday evening in good time for those who will be returning to work on Tuesday morning
Finances:
Given the twinning relationship between RCT and Ravensburg, Ravensburg will cover the cost of at least one of the evening meals in Ravensburg. It is yet to be determined how much support RCT will offer, though if based on the German model (which they hope to adopt) then it should be in the region of £50 support per person. Tonyrefail are sending us the costs of their 2019 visit, based on which - and when the level of RCT support is known - we can then work out cost per person for the trip
Accommodation will be at the central Hotel Residenz www.residenz-ravensburg.de or Hotel Storchen www.storchen-ravensburg.de
The proposed visit is a slightly revised repeat of the very successful visit enjoyed by Tonyrefail School Choir in December 2019. An added feature of this visit however will be a performance together with the 80 piece Stadtorchester Ravensburg at the Oberschwabenhalle, Ravensburg, which will include the premiere performance of a new work by Chris Marshall for wind orchestra and brass, commissioned for the visit by the Rhondda Arts Festival (RAFT)
The plan is to depart RCT by coach, following the band's evening concert at Tonyrefail on the evening of Thursday December 9th, and travel through the night to Stuttgart. The journey is approximately 12.5 hours which, dependent on the ferry crossing time and coach breaks, should then get the band into Stuttgart before lunchtime on Fri Dec 10th.
The proposal is to stay in Stuttgart on Friday, arrange an early check in, have a restful day and take in the mulled wine & bratwursts of the Stuttgart Christmas Market that evening. There are numerous sites in the city to visit during the day for those who wish to do so www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/stuttgart-d-bw-stutt
After breakfast on Saturday morning, the coach will travel on to Ravensburg, a two hour journey. After lunch and check in at the Hotel Residenz, the band will then undertake a short performance at the Ravensburg Christkindlesmarkt, before an evening rehearsal with the Stadtorchester, following which we can enjoy an evening meal at the Muke or Il Podio restaurants
On Sunday it is proposed that the band enjoy a free morning to explore Ravensburg and the Christkindlesmarkt, ahead of an afternoon rehearsal and then evening performance at the Oberschwabenhalle. Again a social evening and meal, hopefully together with the orchestra, will follow
The band will depart Ravensburg after breakfast on Monday morning, getting everyone back on Monday evening in good time for those who will be returning to work on Tuesday morning
Finances:
Given the twinning relationship between RCT and Ravensburg, Ravensburg will cover the cost of at least one of the evening meals in Ravensburg. It is yet to be determined how much support RCT will offer, though if based on the German model (which they hope to adopt) then it should be in the region of £50 support per person. Tonyrefail are sending us the costs of their 2019 visit, based on which - and when the level of RCT support is known - we can then work out cost per person for the trip
Accommodation will be at the central Hotel Residenz www.residenz-ravensburg.de or Hotel Storchen www.storchen-ravensburg.de
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Thursday December 9
Evening Concert - Tonyrefail School Depart immediately afterwards by coach for Stuttgart Friday December 10 Arrive Stuttgart Visit Stuttgart Weinachtsmarkt www.stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de Saturday December 11 Travel to Ravensburg Check In Performance - Ravensburg Christkindlesmarkt Rehearsal with Stadtorchester Ravensburg Socialising www.ravensburg.de Sunday December 12 Free Time Rehearsal with Stadorchester Ravensburg Festliches Konzert - Oberschwabenhalle Socialising Monday December 13 Return to Wales |
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Lommel, Belgium TBC
October 8 to 11 Internationale Taptoe Belgie De Soeverein Arena, Lommel www.taptoebelgie.be www.lewismerthyrband.com/belgium |
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This is the sister event to the show the band participated in at Ostend in October 2019. Participation for 2021 is yet to be confirmed, and indeed given the situation with large scale events at present it is possible the event may not run until 2022. We should have an answer before the end of May. As with the 2019 event, if participation is confirmed, all costs - including accommodation, meals and coach transportation to Lommel - will be covered by the hosts. Images and video from the 2019 visit can be found at www.lewismerthyrband.com/belgium As soon as we have confirmation, either way, we will let everyone know
