Beethoven International Youth Exchange Festival + Rhine Valley Tour June 21 - 29, 2020 (7 nights, 9 days) Sample itinerary Sunday, June 21 Departure Overnight flights to Frankfurt, Germany. MonDay, June 22-ThursDay, June 25 Beethoven Festival Bonn Willkommen! Arrival and take part in the Beethoven International Youth Festival! FESTIVAL PROGRAM Marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven ́s Birth in Bonn in 1770, we invite young musicians from all over the world in June 2020 to celeBrate the Beethoven International Youth Festival in Bonn. Beethoven himself expressed his hope for world peace when he created his Ninth Symphony in 1824, working the fourth movement around the lyrics of Schiller ́s poem “Ode to Joy”. During the Beethoven International Youth Festival in Bonn various performances and joint concerts of international and German orchestras and choirs will Bring young people together and promote international understanding and cultural exchange. Young musicians from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to share their music and to perform in a concert hall for an appreciative audience of up to 800 people. MonDay: Afternoon arrival of international orchestras and choirs in Bonn. TuesDay: Morning visit to one of various Bonn schools. Short performance or joint concert with German school orchestra and/or choir. Exchange program and classroom visit. WeDnesDay: Morning guided walking city tour of Bonn on Beethoven ́s traces. Official reception By Bonn mayor or city representative. Afternoon rehearsal for those orchestras and choirs who will perform tonight at Stadthalle Bad Godesberg (festival hall). Those who will not perform tonight emBark on a Boat cruise on the Rhine river or enjoy a visit to Drachenfels 155 W. 72nd Street, 401, New York, NY 10023 Tel: 212-580-0760 | Fax: 212-874-4554 |[email protected] mountain. Evening seconD shareD concert at Stadthalle Bad Godesberg. (4 – 5 international orchestras / choirs, 20 – 30 min. performance each) Thursday: Morning guided excursion to Cologne including visit of Cologne cathedral. Afternoon joint final concert of all participating international orchestras and choirs as well as participating German school orchestras and choirs at Stadthalle Bad GodesBerg (10 min. performance each, massed performance of “Ode to Joy”), followed By farewell party at the hall with all participants. Music program: All participating orchestras and choirs are requested to perform at least 1 piece By Beethoven and at least 1 piece that is typical for their country. Ode to Joy will Be performed By all participants together on the final joint concert. Note: We will provide an official invitation to those orchestras and choirs who need to get permission from their schools for extracurricular activities. Friday, June 26 Rhine Valley Morning departure from Bonn. The day will Be spent sightseeing in the Rhine Valley (UNESCO World Heritage site), e.g. with a visit to the medieval Marksburg fortress to find out the truth aBout life in the Middle Ages, or the expansive ruins of Rheinfels castle (an impromptu performance might Be possiBle in either place), and other scenic stops en route. Late afternoon arrival at your accommodations. Group dinner and overnight. Saturday, June 27 HeiDelberg Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for Ruedesheim, the famous and popular “wine village” on the Rhine. Visit the German Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments, displaying 350 self-operating musical instruments from 3 centuries. Afterwards, free time for own discoveries in Ruedesheim and for lunch Break (on own), then a scenic drive up the Niederwald monument for a last splendid view of the valley (or take the funicular from Ruedesheim village, at own expense). Afternoon concert in a spa town in the area or at a local festival. SunDay, June 28 HeiDelberg Sing morning Mass / SunDay service at a local church. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of Heidelberg. The city is a viBrant mix of tradition and modernity, and it is world- renowned for its romantic Beauty, with the ruins of the rose-tinted castle rising high aBove the towers and turrets of a Renaissance town. HeidelBerg is home to Germany Proposal - page 2 Germany’s oldest university, Ruprecht Karls University, which celeBrated its 600th anniversary not too long ago, and is still one of the leading schools in Germany. Half way up the castle hill, you will see the huge wine Barrel dating Back to the 18th century. Stroll the pedestrian center to get to know the city and discover its many facets. Your walking tour will include the old Bridge erected in 1786 and its well-preserved medieval gate. Festive farewell dinner tonight to celeBrate your successful tour. Overnight in HeidelBerg (or transfer to a hotel closer to Frankfurt airport, depending on your flight times). MonDay, June 29 Flights home Breakfast and Board Bus for transfer to Frankfurt airport for your return flights. Welcome home! Tour inclusions: • Concerts: School performance and festival arrangements as per Festival Program. 1– 2 concerts / performances on extension tour • 7 nights in 3-star hotels, Based on 2-3 per room, all rooms with private Bathrooms. 4 nights Bonn; 1 night Rhine Valley; 2 HeidelBerg • Full Board in Bonn: Daily Breakfast, 3 lunches/4 dinners. • Half Board (daily Breakfast and dinner) on tour extension • Bilingual English-speaking tour escort throughout • Private coach transportation for all group transfers including airport pickup/drop off • Guided city tours: Bonn, Cologne, HeidelBerg • Entrance fees: Rhine river cruise, Beethoven’s Birth place, Museum of Mechanical Instruments, HeidelBerg University • All group meal, coach and hotel taxes. Germany Proposal - page 3 .