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Update from London

The Pride of the Tribe made the local news (FOX 35) about their trip to London. See it here.

You can see SHS Band in a couple YouTube clips from the parade on Shutterfly here.

For more information about the parade go to their homepage here.

Greetings from London!

Seminole High School Band has been invited to participate in the January 1st 2011 New Years Day Parade - London. The New Year’s Day Parade – London has evolved in to one of the World’s great street spectaculars with up to 10,000 performers from across continents, hundreds of thousands of spectators on the streets – and a live television audience of tens of millions. The New Year's Day Parade on January 1st 2011 will be the 25th time that London has ventured into the New Year with a spectacular, exciting and joyous celebration. This will be the Silver Anniversary!

But way back in the 20th Century in the event’s formative years – the parade was a relatively humble affair. The first "Lord Mayor of Westminster's Big Parade", as it was then known, took place on 1st January 1987 and even though a lot smaller than today London had never seen anything quite like it.

It provided a feast of free entertainment for all the family on what had probably become the dreariest day of the year. Featuring hundreds of dancers and musicians from home and abroad, it put real American style razzmatazz onto the streets of London. It received such an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ from Londoners, tourists and indeed also from the authorities, that it looked like it was here to stay.

Nearly 25 years on, the New Year’s Day Parade London is the biggest event of its kind in the world, boasts a street-side audience approaching 1/2 a million, receives a huge amount of international media coverage, has a list of Patrons that represent the very highest levels of officialdom, and also enjoys the recognition and support of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Put simply, the event has grown from something that started big to something that is now colossal.

There have been many changes over the years, but the formula remains the same – providing a spectacular year-opener to enable London to usher in the New Year within a fun and celebratory setting.

Among the more notable landmark events and important changes are the following:

• The route has changed on a number of occasions – initially from one that incorporated North Carriage Drive in Hyde Park to the ‘commercial’ backdrop of Regent Street and Oxford Street, and thereafter to the most distinguished and indeed current route from Parliament Square to Piccadilly.
• In 1994 the event was renamed the London Parade, and, in a bid to increase the local participation, London’s Boroughs were all invited to join the proceedings.
• In 1996, in conjunction with the BBC, the parade made a world-record ‘biggest marching band‘ attempt.
• The Parade raises substantial funds each year for charity. Starting in 1997, they launched the Let's Help London Appeal and Challenge – an initiative whereby Londoners are encouraged to participate in the creation of a Borough Entry in order to enable the Borough’s charities to benefit as much as possible from the fund raising activities.
• In the Millennium year , 2000, the event took the title of - The Millennium Parade, and then in 2001 became the name that continues today, The New Year's Day Parade - London.
• The New Year's Day Parade - London is now part of the London Parade Festival, which also comprises a series of concerts and other performances in and around London between Christmas and the New Year.
• 2006 saw the first live international treat A 3 hour T.V program hosted by Simon Bates was watched by 220 million people worldwide.
• 2009 will be the first event to receive commercial support from some great British companies.

The New Year's Day Parade - London is now a very major entry in the United Kingdom’s calendar of events. It is good for London and it is enjoyed by millions of people world wide.

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On October 29, 2009 the Seminole High School Band was visited by dignitaries from the committee of the The New Year's Day Parade and Festival - London. They presented the invitation shown below that states:

On October 29, 2009 the Seminole High School Band was visited by dignitaries from the committee of the The New Year's Day Parade and Festival - London. They presented the invitation shown above that states:

In recognition of an unparalleled reputation for outstanding performance abilities the Patrons and the organising committee of the New Year's Day Parade and Festival - London, in association with Youth Music of the World, The Lord Mayoralty of The City of Westminster and The London Mayors' Association, take great pleasure in extending an invitation to

SEMINOLE HIGH SCHOOL PRIDE OF THE TRIBE

Florida, USA

to participate in the 'Silver Anniversary' annual New Year's Day Parade and Festival, to be held in London, England between December 27th and January 4th 2011.

It was signed by Catherine Longworth, Westminster's Lord Mayoralty Patron of the Festival International Goodwill Ambassador and also by Robert C. Bone, Festival Director London Mayors' Association.

In addition, we were presented with the gifts pictured above.

London Itinerary Booklet

YMW Travel Insurance Booklet

Authorization for over-the-counter student administered medication

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Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

On this web site you will find lots of valuable information to prepare you for your trip to London. Travel tips, Prohibited Items, information on Advanced Imaging Technology and a look at the screening process.

Refunds

As of May 25, 2010: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INITIAL DEPOSITS FOR THE LONDON TRIP ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Passport Information

If you plan to go to London you WILL need a passport. The cost of a passport is NOT included in the trip payment. The web site that has all the information on what you need to do to apply for a passport can be found by clicking here, once there just scroll down to the passport application form. Once the form comes up on the computer, it can be filled out on the computer and printed.

NOTE: PLEASE APPLY FOR YOUR PASSPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT HAS BEEN KNOW TO TAKE UP TO 6 MONTHS OR MORE TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSPORT ONCE YOU APPLY FOR IT. (IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW BUSY THEY ARE.)

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Payment Schedule

Check out this link for the London Trip payment schedule. This information will let you know when each payment is due and how much each payment is.

If you have any questions about your London Trip payments, please send an e-mail to: Shelly Coker - londonpayments@seminolehsband.org

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Fundraising Information

If you are asking "How can my child raise funds to help pay for their trip?" Then you need to check out the Fundraiser page. There are many ways your child can raise funds to help pay for their trip. As parents you can even help your child by participating in these fundraisers.

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Questions?

Do you have question that is not covered here? Then you can contact the person listed below and they will get you answers.

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London Parade Official Web Site

If you would like to visit the official web site for The New Years Day Parade - London, it can be found here.

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