5 -12 JUNE 2013
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INDEX
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JOIN US | LETTER FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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MY LIFE WITH BRITTEN | LETTER FROM THE TOUR EDUCATION DIRECTOR
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BRIEF OVERVIEW | LETTER FROM THE TOUR LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
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ITINERARY
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TOUR DETAILS
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INSURANCE INFORMATION
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Dear Friends, We are thrilled to share with you information about a very exciting travel and cultural opportunity for members and friends of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. In November 2013, the musical world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of British composer Benjamin Britten. Widely regarded as one of the leading musical figures of any age, Britten’s work has been especially meaningful to those of us who cherish vocal music. His amazing operas (Peter Grimes, Billy Budd, Death in Venice, etc.) have been musical triumphs and fascinating psychological studies; his works for vocal soloists (Les Illuminations, Serenade, the Canticles) have been performed and recorded by some of the world’s leading artists; and, as we in the Symphonic Choir are well aware, his choral works (War Requiem-performed by the Symphonic Choir in 2006, Saint Nicolas, Hymn to Saint Cecilia, Five Flower Songs, etc.) are at or near the top of any list of favorites for singers around the world. In order to explore more closely and appreciate the music of Britten on the centennial of his birth, I invite you to consider joining me and musical scholar and Britten devotee Dr. Michael Sells on a once-in-a-lifetime musical opportunity: the Symphonic Choir’s first ever cultural tour, “Britten in Britain | Heritage Tour 2013”. Our trip, open to any singer or friend of the Symphonic Choir, will present you with an eyewitness opportunity to experience the country, people and culture that influenced Britten’s craft. During our week in Great Britain, tour highlights will include performances in such significant cities as London (the Royal Opera House, and George Frideric Handel’s home), Aldeburgh (located in picturesque Suffolk on the coast, just in time to take in some of the world-class offerings of the annual Aldeburgh Festival) and Coventry (including the contemporary Coventry Cathedral, rebuilt upon the fire-bombed gothic ruins, where the War Requiem was given its world premiere). Each day, over breakfast, Michael Sells and I will provide a brief overview of what we will be seeing, including special points of historical significance and interest. Then during the day, we will be joined by local guides who will escort us on our behind-the-scenes explorations of the homes, settings and concert sites so well-known to Britten and his life partner, tenor Peter Pears. Highlights of the tour are sure to
be the performances at the Aldeburgh Festival, a tour of the Red House (where Britten and Pears lived and worked for many years), a private Baroque concert at the Handel House in London, Evensong at King’s College in Cambridge and even an elegant afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason. (Please note that, while attending performances will be of central importance on this trip, the Symphonic Choir will not be performing. Unlike our recent performance tour to Beijing and Shanghai, we wished to create a tour and travel opportunity that would permit the maximum cultural experience possible, without requiring the logistical considerations of our own concert presentations.) This tour is designed to appeal to Symphonic Choir singers, friends, supporters and especially fans of Benjamin Britten. Our hotels have been selected with your comfort in mind, deluxe accommodations (with private bath) including the Wentworth Hotel in Aldeburgh, and the Fielding Hotel in London. The tour package includes ground transportation, 13 meals, and overnight accommodations for 7 nights (3 nights in London, 2 nights in Aldeburgh, and 1 night each in Coventry and Bath). We hope you will join us for this chance of a lifetime! Some of England’s greatest cities and culture, and one of the 20th century’s greatest composers…will make for memories that last and last. And, as an added incentive, you will have a personal, unique perspective on the music of Benjamin Britten when the Symphonic Choir presents its very own centennial homage, with its planned 2014 performance of the massive War Requiem. You will be able to say “I was there,” and to help us more convincingly tell the story of Britten’s muse, his inspiration and his hope for peace.
ERIC STARK | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Dear Friends, My first recollection of Benjamin Britten’s music came during my senior year in high school when I heard the Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings on a recording, featuring the artists for whom it was written, tenor Peter Pears and French horn virtuoso Dennis Brain, conducted by the composer. It was a piece I didn’t understand initially, certainly couldn’t sing, yet which moved me deeply (and still does). Then, during my undergraduate years as a music major, and listening to more of Britten’s music, the War Requiem premiered and was recorded. I’ll never forget even the look of the Decca album --all black background with white lettering--something very dark and foreboding inside it seemed to promise. I played it over and over, still not quite sure what was going on, but completely under its and Britten’s spell. No, I still couldn’t sing it, but I was getting closer! My budding Anglophilia blossomed when in graduate school, as I was making ends meet as a teaching assistant and tenor soloist with the Choir of Men and Boys at the Washington National Cathedral, the US State Department saw fit to send the whole choir to London to be the choirin-residence at Westminster Abbey for two weeks as part of the 900th Anniversary of the Abbey’s founding. Since I had never been out of the country, I was nervous and a bit anxious at first, but by the end of the trip, I did not want to leave because I had developed such an emotional connection to England. It was there that I bought my first Britten opera score; attended my first Evensong Service at King’s College Cambridge (then under the direction of the legendary Sir David Willcocks); met the composer Herbert Howells; went to the Royal Opera at Covent Garden, and, of course, sang daily services at the Abbey. It was pretty heady stuff for a young tenor from Lima, Ohio, believe me! A move to Los Angeles, more training, and a developing singing and teaching career only deepened my love for Britten and his music, and I was fortunate to have performed a lot of his beautiful music over the years. In June of 1976, I went to the Aldeburgh Festival for the first time which turned out to be Britten’s last because he died that following December, quite prematurely, at the age of 63. There I heard the premiere performance
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of his cantata “Phaedra” which was written for and performed by the astounding mezzo soprano, Dame Janet Baker. Britten was too ill to conduct and only could feebly acknowledge the applause from his private box, built into the wall of the Snape Maltings Concert Hall. Regretfully, I was never able to meet Britten, though I did establish a rewarding 10-year friendship with Peter Pears, Britten’s life partner and, in many ways, his muse. The music of Benjamin Britten is not the only source of musical enjoyment and fulfillment for me, far from it. But his music has challenged, sustained and blessed me through a lifetime of study and performance. It will be a pleasure to share some of my experiences with you as we travel together.
MICHAEL SELLS | TOUR EDUCATION DIRECTOR
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
It is with the greatest of pleasure that we unveil this Benjamin Britten heritage tour, taking place in a country very close to my heart. I have been fortunate enough to spend large amounts of time in the United Kingdom; including some time living in London, so putting together the logistics of this upcoming tour has been a complete joy. Our goal in building this tour was to create a memorable experience for our guests surrounding the important 100th anniversary of the birth of acclaimed composer, conductor and pianist Benjamin Britten. Throughout the tour we will celebrate the legacy of Benjamin Britten, and will hear often from our education guides, Dr. Eric Stark and Dr. Michael Sells, about the works that made Britten one of the central figures of 20th century classical music.
Apart from the great enjoyment of classical music, we will also be exploring two of the most beautiful cities in England. Cambridge and Bath are exquisite, picturesque towns that will long remain in your memory. Throughout the tour, please feel free to regard me as your personal England concierge. I have an absolute passion for all things English, so I’ll be very happy to recommend unique experiences for you during your free time. I do hope you will join us for this memorable tour.
ANDREW LANNERD | TOUR LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
LONDON, ENGLAND
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*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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AM TRANSATLANTIC ARRIVALS INTO LONDON CHECK IN TO THE FIELDING HOTEL*
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TIME TO REST, RELAX OR EXPLORE LONDON 6:30PM | WELCOME TO LONDON DINNER* OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE FIELDING HOTEL*
(A SHORT WALK OR TAXI FROM COVENT GARDEN UNDERGROUND STATION, ON THE PICCADILLY LINE)
THE FIELDING HOTEL
DETAILS: If you are arriving on an overnight transatlantic flight, take the day on your own to check in to our hotel, rest, relax or explore London, and join us at 6:30pm for a Welcome to London dinner in a memorable venue. You will be staying in the fashionable and historic Covent Garden district at the Fielding Hotel, opposite the world renowned Royal Opera House. Named after the 18th century novelist Henry Fielding, the hotel stands as one of London’s most desirably located hotels.
COVENT GARDEN
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ST. PAUL‘S CATHEDRAL AND THE RIVER THAMES
*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* AM TOUR OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE* LUNCH ON YOUR OWN AFTERNOON TOUR AND PRIVATE BAROQUE CONCERT AT THE HANDEL HOUSE IN THE ROOMS WHERE HANDEL LIVED AND COMPOSED MESSIAH* FULL ENGLISH AFTERNOON TEA AT FORTNUM & MASON* DINNER/EVENING ON YOUR OWN OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE FIELDING HOTEL*
HANDEL HOUSE
DETAILS: We will begin the day with a guided tour of the Royal Opera House, one of the world’s premier opera venues, and an important place in the story of Benjamin Britten. After lunch, we will travel to the nearby home of George Frideric Handel, for a tour and private baroque concert in the very rooms where he composed Messiah and Music for the Royal Fireworks. A truly memorable experience! After the concert we will travel to the elegant Piccadilly/Mayfair district - home to a variety of London’s most famous shops and boutiques, where we will be treated to a full English afternoon tea at the world-famous Fortnum & Mason department store. Opened in 1707, Fortnum & Mason’s famous clients have included Charles Dickens as well as many members of the British royal family. The evening will be on your own, offering a chance to explore London or perhaps take in some theatre in the West End.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
FORTNUM &MASON
AFTERNOON TEA
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*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* AM BUS FROM LONDON TO ALDEBURGH | 110 MILES* CHECK IN TO THE WENTWORTH HOTEL, ALDEBURGH* LUNCH IN ALDEBURGH AFTERNOON AT BENJAMIN BRITTEN’S RED HOUSE* GROUP DINNER* OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS IN ALDEBURGH (WENTWORTH HOTEL ON THE SEAFRONT)*
DETAILS: After breakfast we will depart London and travel (via coach) 110 miles to the charming seaside town of Aldeburgh in Suffolk. Upon arrival we will check-in to the Wentworth Hotel, featuring spectacular views over the seafront.
THE RED HOUSE
THE WENTWORTH HOTEL
The Wentworth Hotel has hosted many famous guests, including Shostakovich, and it was a frequent lunch spot of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. In the afternoon we will visit the Red House, the beloved home of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears from 1957 until their deaths. We will have a three-course pre-concert dinner in the elegant dining room of the Wentworth Hotel followed by an evening classical concert at the Aldeburgh Festival (repertoire TBD).
THE WENTWORTH HOTEL
More information on the Wentworth Hotel, Aldeburgh The Wentworth Hotel is located on the beach/seafront of the small town of Aldeburgh, and features three private gardens for relaxing as well as access to the beach.
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BRITTEN MEMORIAL
*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* DAY AT THE ALDEBURGH FESTIVAL* OR OPTIONAL TIME TO EXPLORE THE TOWN OF ALDEBURGH LUNCH ON YOUR OWN THREE-COURSE DINNER AT THE HOTEL* EVENING CONCERT* OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS IN ALDEBURGH (WENTWORTH HOTEL ON THE SEAFRONT)*
DETAILS: We will start the day, with a hearty breakfast at the hotel: fresh fruit salad, yogurt, cereals, locally smoked kipper (fish) or a traditional English cooked breakfast (sausage, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms). We will then travel (via bus) to the nearby Aldeburgh Music Festival for a day of concerts and activities. We will have a three-course dinner at the hotel, to be followed by a classical concert at the Aldeburgh Music Festival. Guests may also like to take advantage of Aldeburgh’s famous fish & chips shops, which are renowned throughout England. MORE INFORMATION ON THE ALDEBURGH FESTIVAL: Benjamin Britten was inspired by the vast skies and moody seas of the Suffolk coast, and in 1948, along with singer Peter Pears and writer Eric Crozier, he founded the Aldeburgh Festival. Long before arts organizations thought of engaging in education and supporting young artists, Britten and Pears established both. They brought together international stars and emerging talent, including world-renowned figures such as Fischer-Dieskau, Menuhin, Richter and Rostropovich, and young stars in the making such as Söderström, Perahia and Bream.
ALDEBURGH CONCERT HALL
ALDEBURGH BEACH
At first the Festival used local halls and churches but in 1967, Britten and Pears created a permanent home at Snape, 5 miles from Aldeburgh, by converting a Victorian maltings into an 832-seat venue. Within five years Britten and Pears had reclaimed more buildings on the site to establish a centre for talented young musicians. This is the legacy behind the flourishing organization known today as Aldeburgh Music, which now has a world-wide reputation as an outstanding year-round performance centre, and as a place where artists at all stages of their career can stretch themselves, explore new ground and perform.
ALDEBURGH CONCERT HALL
*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* DEPART ALDEBURGH AND HEAD TO CAMBRIDGE (VIA BUS) | 87 MILES* LUNCH & AFTERNOON ON YOUR OWN IN CAMBRIDGE 3:30PM: EVENSONG AT KING’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE* CONTINUE ON BUS TO COVENTRY | 80 MILES DINNER SERVED ON BUS (EN ROUTE TO COVENTRY)* OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT MACDONALD ANSTY HALL*
MACDONALD ANSTY HALL
DETAILS: This morning we will enjoy another hearty English breakfast; then we will travel (via bus) 87 miles to Cambridge, one of the most-beautiful cities in England. You will have a few hours on your own to explore this magnificent city and all its glories. Lunch will be on your own, allowing extra time for exploring. In the afternoon we will attend services in the world-renowned chapel of King’s College, and listen to the glories of the full King’s College Choir. Following the service we will travel (via bus) 80 miles to Coventry, England (dinner will be served en route). We will arrive in the Coventry area mid-evening. Our accommodations will be at Macdonald Ansty Hall, an elegant former country estate built in the latter part of the 17th century.
CHAPEL AT KING’S COLLEGE
MORE INFORMATION ON CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND: Cambridge is most widely known as the home of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209 and consistently ranked one of the top five universities in the world. Visitors are inspired by beautiful architecture, majestic college buildings and quaint passages set around the historic city center.
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KING’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* AM TOUR OF COVENTRY CATHEDRAL* LUNCH IN COVENTRY* TRAVEL TO BATH | 113 MILES* DINNER IN BATH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE FRANCIS HOTEL, BATH*
DETAILS: We will begin the day with breakfast and a tour of Coventry Cathedral. The cathedral is closely associated with Benjamin Britten, as his epic War Requiem was commissioned to celebrate the cathedral’s reconsecration on May 30, 1962. (The original fourteenth century structure was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid).
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
We will lunch in Coventry, and travel (via bus) 115 miles to the city of Bath. The picturesque Georgian city of Bath is world-renowned for its Roman baths, beautiful architecture and charming shops. The afternoon and evening will be on your own, allowing extra time to explore this beautiful city. We will stay within close walking distance to the city center, in the elegant and newly renovated Francis Hotel.
ROMAN BATHS
REMNANTS OF BOMB-DAMAGED COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
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*INCLUDED WITH TOUR
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BREAKFAST* EXPLORE BATH / LUNCH ON YOUR OWN IN BATH EARLY AFTERNON BUS TO WINDSOR | 91 MILES* TOUR OF WINDSOR CASTLE* BUS BACK INTO CENTRAL LONDON* FAREWELL TOUR DINNER* OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS IN CENTRAL LONDON AT THE FIELDING HOTEL*
DETAILS: We will begin the day with breakfast and some additional free time to explore the many unique spots in Bath. After lunch we will travel 91 miles to Windsor Castle, an official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We will tour the magnificent state rooms and explore the many treasures within the walls of this ancient castle.
WINDSOR CASTLE
After our tour, we will head back into Central London to again stay at The Fielding Hotel. On our final evening together we will enjoy a lovely farewell dinner, and look back over a great week of shared memories.
INSIDE WINDSOR CASTLE
BATH, ENGLAND
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PRICE: $2,950 PER PERSON (based on double occupancy) This is a land-only package. Airfare to and from the United Kingdom is NOT included. INCLUSIONS: • 13 meals • 7 nights of deluxe accommodations (divided between London, Aldeburgh, Coventry and Bath) • Motor coach transportation between tour destinations • Guides, tours and admission fees at tour venues • Travel insurance (see page 14 for more information) EXCLUSIONS: • Airfare to/from the United Kingdom • Meals over and above the 13 included in tour package • Personal expenses PASSPORTS: Every tour member must have a valid passport that will be in effect for at least six months after the date of the conclusion of the tour. The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir must receive a copy of that passport no later than 120 days prior to departure. IMPORTANT NOTES: Space is extremely limited on this tour, and because of the exclusivity of the included events, we are unable to add participants once the maximum has been reached. Should you wish to add extra nights in London at the beginning or end of the tour, please specify when making your booking. We will be happy make those arrangements with our hotel in London, alleviating the need to switch hotels at the official end of the tour. All pricing is based on double occupancy, and we are unable to offer a single occupancy rate. Upon request, we will make every effort to match a single guest with another interested party. Tour pricing is based on an exchange rate of $1.60 to the pound as of 7/1/12. Although we do not anticipate this, should the exchange rate exceed $1.80 to the pound within 30 days of departure, a $350.00 per person surcharge will be billed in due course and will be due no later than the beginning of the tour (6/5/13). We will do our best to accommodate mobility needs. Because of the age of many of the buildings on the itinerary, there will not be an elevator at every stop. Please make us aware of any special needs when booking as well as any special dietary requests (vegetarian, allergies, etc.).
PAYMENTS: The following payment schedule will apply per person. AMOUNT:
RECEIVED DATE:
$500
At the time of booking (no later than 9/15/2012)
$700
November 15, 2012
$900
January 15, 2013
$850 (Final Payment)
NO Later than February 15, 2013
No order will be processed without the $500 first payment. Should any payment be in arrears more than one payment period and no payment arrangement entered into, we reserve the right to cancel a passenger’s participation in the tour and to hold all payments to date. FORM OF PAYMENT: Two forms of payment are available at no extra charge: Check or money order. Credit Card payments will incur a fee of 5%. All payments should be given/sent to Andrew Lannerd, General Manager (4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208). CANCELLATION POLICY The following cancellation charges will apply if any person cancels their participation on the tour: • 50% cancellation fee after the first payment • No cancellations or refunds within 90 days prior to the beginning of the tour Should world conditions affect the staging of the tour, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir reserves the right to offer the tour at a later date. SUBSTITUTIONS: The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir recognizes that circumstances occur where it may be necessary to cancel participation in the tour. Substitutions are encouraged so that cancellation fees can be avoided. The only additional cost for a substitute is the insurance premium, as these payments cannot be transferred. Substitution deposits/ payments must be received before a refund to the original passenger is made. They must be made no later than 60 days prior to travel or charges will apply.
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CONTINUED MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES The responsibility of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (“ISC”) is strictly limited; tour participant agrees that maximum liquidated damages shall not exceed the tour price. ISC is responsible only in the capacity for making arrangements for the tour services offered, including hotels, sightseeing, transportation (by whatever means), guides, porterage, and meals from various suppliers (collectively “Suppliers”). The itineraries shown are subject to revisions, including substitution of hotels, activities and routings. If a service is not provided and ISC is unable to substitute a service of similar value, ISC’s liability shall not exceed the actual cost of the services not provided. ISC does not own or operate any of these Suppliers. The Suppliers are not agents, servants, employees, or joint ventures of ISC, but are independent contractors providing travel services to ISC. ISC is not liable for any damage, including personal injury, accident, personal loss or other expense, from any cause, act or omission by Suppliers or third parties. ISC is not responsible for any purchases made during the tour. ISC is not responsible for the costs of any medical treatment required during your tour, nor is ISC responsible for the quality, or lack thereof, of medical care you may receive while on your tour. ISC and/or its agents are not responsible for any damage, expense, or inconvenience caused by late departures, change of schedule, strikes or other conditions. ISC is not liable for any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized acts or omissions of any travel agent or travel agency. Legal proceedings by or against ISC may be instituted only in a state or federal court within the State of Indiana, and any claim involved in
such proceedings shall be decided in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana. ISC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of a tour at any time before or during the actual operation of the tour. ISC reserves the right to cancel any tour at any time. In computer or human billing error, ISC reserves the right to re-invoice with correct billing. ISC is not responsible for printing errors or other errors. All additional expenses caused by war, landslides, strikes, weather delays, illness or accidents are the responsibility of the passengers. ITINERARY VARIATION: If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control necessitate, we reserve the right to vary itineraries and/or destinations and to substitute hotels if circumstances warrant. Venues, repertoire, performances and destinations may be adjusted or modified. NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE: Those items listed in the exclusions, as well as laundry, valet service, food not included, after-hours tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages or other expenses of a personal nature or any other items not specified on the itinerary are not included in the tour price. Detailed suggestions regarding the booking of transatlantic air tickets, airports, transfers and check in will be provided. For more information contact Andrew Lannerd at (317) 940-9057 or via e-mail at alannerd@butler.edu.
WINDSOR CASTLE, BERKSHIRE
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Travel insurance is included with the package price for each guest. The Managing General Underwriter is Seven Corners, Inc. A fully detailed copy of the policy will be sent to tour participants one month prior to departure. TYPE OF COVERAGE
AMOUNT OF COVERAGE
Trip Interruption
$5,000
Medical Expenses
$50,000
Lost/Stolen Baggage
$250
Dental Emergency
$500
Accidental Death
$25,000
Emergency Medical Evacuation
$300,000
24 Hour Emergency Assistance
Included
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
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CHAPEL AT KING’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
SPACE IS LIMITED For more information, or to book your spot on the tour, contact: Andrew Lannerd | General Manager, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (317) 940-9057 or via e-mail at alannerd@butler.edu