2008 LMASB Tour Updates

Monday, June 23, 2008 - I spoke to Mr. Weyersberg at 7:00 p.m. (our time) on Sunday and everyone made it to Thailand just fine. Departure from Detroit was delayed due to weather. The Chicago flight was delayed in Narita and they arrived a couple of hours later than planned. All is well and the band was having breakfast and heading out for a busy day.

Monday, June 23, 2008 2:15 p.m. - All is well had good weather today (Monday). The hotel is great. Kids enjoyed boat ride on river feeding fish. Convention center is great all well organized. Dance was a great. The room was really nice room and had a great set-up. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we visit the floating market and participate in the Lions International parade. There is a great parade route. It is long, but there should be a lot of spectators.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:31 a.m. - Communication from the group is not coming through as I had asked for it to, but I did talk to them last night (Wednesday Morning) and everything is fine.

Tuesday the band performed in the Lions International Parade, following they attended a traditional Thai Dinner and Show.  the group is pretty tired (dealing with time change and all) and a few kids fell asleep during the show.  Not everyone was too adventures in trying the traditional Thai Dinner either.  The other meals have been good so far with variety of food that the kids are willing to eat.

Wednesday morning the band was checking out of the hotel and heading to the Impact Convention Center to perform at the Lions International Business Session and to participate in the Flag Ceremony. Following the session the band was to visit the Western part of the city before boarding the train for the overnight ride up to Chiang Mai.

Friday, June 27, 2008 9:30 p.m. - Parade was GREAT, weather was good and lots of cheering people along the route. The weather has been pretty good for us especially since it is the rainy season. Performance at the Srisangwan Chiang Mai School went really well and the students of the school played for the band as well. At the school, there was a gift shop and everyone bought something -the whole thing was just incredible and served the Lions Mission of We Serve very well. Everyone bought a photo of them riding the elephants. Mrs. Wilson says that this trip is better than Colorado tours in 2003.

Everyone is doing great and enjoying the tour so far. The students who had gift cards have had some difficulties in using them because there is no PIN number with them. Mr. Weyersberg and our Travel guides have worked it out.

A few more days and the group will be home. Another update will not be posted until Monday!

Monday June 30, 2008 10:30 a.m. - Things are going great, tour is awesome! Greatest quote was from Brett, "This is way better than Chicago!" The two concerts were heart wrenching. The students and Roger were fighting back tears. We have taken a lot of pictures! We're getting on the train back to Bangkok from Chaing-Mai. - Jennifer Wilson -

Return Trip Information -

United Flight-
UA838 departing at 6:50 AM local time to Narita Japan arriving at 3:05 PM local time
UA882 departing at 4:40 PM local time to Chicago arriving at 2:19 PM CT

Once clearing customs the student will board the bus at 4 PM CT for transfer back to East Lansing. The Bus will make a stop at Exit 72 at the McDonalds restaurant for Dinner and Local Student Pick Up approximate arrival time is 7:00 PM.  The Bus will continue onto East Lansing for pick up at X-Lot approximate arrival time will be 9:30 PM.

Northwest Flight-
NW22 departing at 6:00 AM local time to Narita Japan arriving at 2:35 PM local time
NW12 departing at 4:15 PM local time to Detroit arriving at 3:00 PM ET

Once clearing customs the students will board the bus at 4:30 PM to transfer back to East Lansing.  Approximate arrival time will be 6:00 PM. The bus will drop at X-lot.

X-Lot is the large parking lot south of the Dorm where we were at for band camp.  The lot is located at the corner of Hagadorn Road and Service Drive, you will see the Lions Band Equipment trailer parked in the lot.

  Lions of Michigan All State Band 2008
Tour Information

Click here for 2008 Tour Poster

Destination: Bangkok, Thailand
Tour Dates:  June 21-July 1, 2008

	4-Day Pre-Tour Band Camp at Michigan State University (June 17-June 20, 2008)
	Temple of the Dawn
	Grand Palace
	Supatra River House (Thai dinner and dancing)
	Coconut Sea Salt Farm
	Damneon Saduak Floating Market
	National Museum
	Nakorn Pathom (largest pagoda in SE Asia)
	Night Market
	Thai cooking demonstration
	Elephant Camp
	Visit Wat Doi Suthep
	Handcraft Village
	Bamboo Music Instrument Shop
	Kantoke Dinner (Thai dinner and dance performances)

Performance Schedule 

	Pre-tour concert
	Lions International Flag Ceremony - Bangkok
	Concert at Plenary Session of Lions International Convention
	Concert for Michigan Lions delegation while in Bangkok
	Lions Clubs International Parade - Bangkok
	Mass Band Concert with other bands while at the Lions Convention in Bangkok
	Concerts at various cities while in Thailand
	Recording Session

The price for the 2008 tour is $3,499 per student. 

Students are responsible for payment of their tour fees, and installments are due by the dates listed in the payment schedule.  The tour fee covers all transportation, meals, tours and admissions for the entire trip beginning with the pre-tour rehearsal in June.  In addition, it covers the cost of the basic travel uniform and souvenir recordings of the band.  

Tour fee includes:
All rehearsal meals in January and April
Accommodations and meals during 4-day pre-tour band camp at MSU
Roundtrip airline tickets
Hotel accommodations in Thailand
All tour admissions
All meals and gratuities while on tour
Two travel uniforms (band shirt, shorts, and socks)
Souvenir CD and DVD of the band

Payment Schedule:
$1,000 - Due February 1, 2008
$1,000 - Due March 15, 2008
$1,000 - Due April 15, 2008
$499 - Due May 15, 2008
Audition Information

Auditions for the 2008 Lions of Michigan All State Band will be held in Holt, Michigan on November 11, 2007.  Two ways to try out - in person or with an audition tape.  (Please note that percussionists and visual ensemble must try out in person.)  Contact us for more information.

Who is Eligible to Audition?

Michigan students who are currently in grades 9 through 12 and members of their local high school band are eligible to audition.  Performers may audition on any marching band wind or percussion instrument.  Students may also audition for color guard or dance positions. Percussion and visual performers MUST audition in Holt.

Important Information About Auditions

Students on wind instruments will prepare an etude that will be provided when their application is received and a chromatic scale. Students will also perform the concert A^b, E^b, B^b, F and C major scales. Sight-reading may be administered. Taped auditions are permitted.

Percussion auditions will consist of a prepared etude supplied by our percussion instructor, rudiments as appropriate, and sight-reading. It is imperative that students auditioning on percussion try out in Holt.

Visual/Dance ensemble applicants will be taught short routines and evaluated on the basis of how well they are able to learn them. It’s recommended that students who audition for visual ensemble have a background in color guard, but it is not mandatory. Students auditioning for the visual ensemble must try out in Holt.

The band staff is seeking a broad range of performance levels. This is not an honors band, and they are seeking individuals at all playing levels. Applicants should not feel threatened by the audition process.
 

Rehearsal Dates:  
January 12-13, 2008 - Holt High School
April 12-13, 2008 - Holt High School 
June 17-June 20, 2008 (Pre-Tour Camp) - Michigan State University

To Print a 2008 Tour Application-
Click Here!

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