2021 Cherry Blossom Parade

New Bedford Marching Whalers

SPRING TRIP INFORMATION
April 15, 2020

Parents and Guardians,

My name is Timothy DeSimone. I am the Band Director of the New Bedford Marching
Whalers, and I am very pleased to announce our selection to partake in the 2021 Cherry
Blossom Parade, in Washington DC. It will be an honor to represent New Bedford and the great
state of Massachusetts on a National stage.
While in DC, our students will have more to do than just the parade. We have sought to
make this trip an experience extending further than just our immediate mission, and instead
exposing them to the Nation’s Capital. I am currently seeking educational and musical
opportunities for our students that will enrich their education musically, civically, and
scholastically. Currently in research are museums, national historic landmarks, tours of the
Capitol Building, a meeting with our Congressman, a concert with the National Symphony
Orchestra, and time to meet and interact with other bands and organizations at the festival.
Given the cost of these events, transportation, and the festival, I currently anticipate a
cost per student at ​$$515
900​. As this event is an almost perfect year in advance, we will be
fundraising and planning financially to lower this cost substantially. It is our mission to include
every student in this trip, regardless of ability to pay, and it is on all of us to make this work.
At this time, I am currently accepting applications for Chaperones. I am asking for a ratio
of 1 chaperone to every 8 students, and will be giving preference in order of parent seniority.
Please contact me directly if you wish to be considered as a chaperone for this trip.
The trip will be ​April 8-11.​ The Parade is on the 10th, and we will be spending the
evening of the 8th and all of the 9th exploring the city. We will depart early on the 11th. The
initial trip planning meeting is at the Band Booster meeting, Monday ​May 4th​, at 6pm. All
parents are welcome to attend to learn more about our trip! There will be a ​mandatory trip
meeting during our Band Camp Banquet on August 14th​, at 6pm. At this time we will
update you all on new news, and our revised plans. We will also then announce the rest of our
trip meetings.
Please contact me personally with any questions or concerns, and I eagerly look forward
to planning for and attending this incredible festival and parade with all of you.

Thank you, and Go Whalers!

Timothy DeSimone
Director, New Bedford Marching Whalers

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

 CHERRY BLOSSOM PARADE
THURSDAY, April 8 – SUNDAY, April 11

THURSDAY, April 8
8:00am Choir room opens for dropping bags and equipment. This room will remain locked and
observed by a chaperone while you attend class. All students must attend class in the
morning of April 8th to attend this trip!
11:00am Marching Whalers report to BAND ROOM
• w/Instruments, cases, and FULL uniform IN GARMENT BAG + Hat Box
• SECTION LEADERS – please take attendance and check Garment Bags!

11:15am LOAD BUSSES @ BAND ROOM BUS LOOP

• See packing list
• Grab bagged lunch!
• SL – Submit attendance to BD
• ALL GARMENT BAGS and INSTRUMENTS ON BAND TRUCK
• ALL INSTRUMENTS except flutes & clarinets
11:30am DEPART NEW BEDFORD HS
• Bus captains take attendance

5:30pm STOP FOR CHEAP LUNCH OPTIONS

6:30pm CONTINUE ON ROUTE

• Bus captains take attendance

8:30pm ARRIVE AT HOTEL

• Unload busses, check into Hotel
o Chaperone will gather and distribute keys

9:15pm GATHER IN BALL ROOM, WALK TO LINCOLN MEMORIAL

• Have hotel key!

9:30pm Observe Lincoln Memorial

• Must stay with group entire time!

10:00pm Walk back to Hotel

• Chaperone room checks at 10:30 (be in room)
11:00pm Lights out
• Designated chaperone will remain “on guard” for night shifts

FRIDAY, April 9
8:00-9:00am Hotel Breakfast in Ball Room. While attendance at Breakfast is not necessary, you have
already payed for this meal!

9:30am Meet in Ball Room, attendance taken by chaperone. Depart for WALK to US Capitol
Building Be wearing “Sunday Best!”

10:15am Tour Capitol Building as full band.

11:15am Meeting with New Bedford House Representative, Bill Keating of the 96th District. Short
talk, and then time for respectful Q+A.

12:00pm Depart for lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.

12:20pm Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. Adjusted menu, already payed for.

1:30pm Free time to explore DC, museums, and Historic Landmarks. Have spending money on
you for souvenirs, snacks. Must stick with chaperone for entire duration! If you and other
room disagree on activity, find another room doing what you want to do and group up!

5:00pm Recommended time for Dinner. Dinner on own!

7:00pm Back in hotel, gather for evening rehearsal.

7:00-8:00pm Parade rehearsal in Ball Room. Open to public, family may attend.

8:00pm Final logistical talk through w/ Band, Staff, and Chaperones.

8:30pm Team building activities, group discussion. Closed to public.

9:30pm Band dismissal. Must stay in hotel!

10:00pm Chaperone room checks.

10:30pm FIRM LIGHTS OUT. You need to rest for a very busy Saturday! Do NOT jeopardize your
rest!
SATURDAY, April 10
6:00-7:30am Breakfast @ Hotel MANDATORY
7:45am Load buses – ASSIGNED BY SECTION
Move to parade start.
• Bus captains take attendance
MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING YOUR “FULL UNIFORM”
Have your clear poncho and instrument with you.
Section Leadership: Attendance + GEAR CHECKLIST FOR EVERY MEMBER.

8:00am Unload members

Unload truck – move all gear, instruments onto sidewalk
Leadership will unload truck - chaperones will be with members LISTEN TO
INSTRUCTIONS FROM PARADE OFFICIALS, BEST BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES
ALL CASES back on BUSES.
9:00am 2020 Cherry Blossom Parade!
10:00am Parade Ends
• Move to photo location for official group photographs

10:20am Load Busses and Band Truck

• Depart for Hotel
10:45am Arrive Back at Hotel
• Unload Bus
• Staff will load truck for home departure

11:00am Free time I RECOMMEND GOING BACK TO FESTIVAL TO EXPLORE!

• With Chaperones!
• Lunch on own

5:00pm Banquet in Hotel

• Open to family!
• Catered
• MANDATORY FOR MEMBERS

7:00pm Those attending NSO Concert load BUS 1

• Depart for Kennedy Center
• Be wearing Sunday best!

7:00pm Those NOT attending NSO, FREE TIME

• Must stick with chaperone if leaving hotel!

8:00pm NSO Performance

10:00pm Depart Kennedy Center

11:00pm Chaperone Room Check

11:30pm LIGHTS OUT

Sunday, April 11
7:00- 8:00am Breakfast in Ball Room

8:30am CHECK-OUT & Meet @ Buses

• Chaperones will check out for you!
• Load bags under bus
• Final Band Truck itinerary + lockdown

BUS REMINDER: We are back on “Assigned Buses!”

9:00am Depart Hotel

12:00pm Stop for cheap lunch options

1:00pm On road again

1. ATTENDANCE TAKEN BY BUS CAPTAINS

6:30pm Anticipated arrival at New Bedford HS

1. Unload busses
2. Truck to be unloaded Monday

CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME PHONE
Mr. DeSimone (804) 536-2845
Mr. Administrator (540) 271-3025
Head Chaperone (540) 457-0234
Staff 1 (540) 430-1806
Staff 2 (276) 971-7677
Staff 3 (571) 251-6594
Staff 4 (360) 915-4854
BUS DRIVER 1 (605) 359-2983
BUS DRIVER 2 (540) 421-8197
EMERGENCIES 911
Map from 270 to Hotel
Map of Downtown DC Destinations
April 15, 2020

Dear Local Business Owner,

My name is Timothy DeSimone. I am the Band Director of the New Bedford Marching
Whalers, and I am very pleased to announce our selection to partake in the 2021 Cherry
Blossom Parade, in Washington DC. It will be an honor to represent New Bedford and the great
state of Massachusetts on a National stage.

Our students are busy at work preparing to undertake this experience. We’ve been
talking about what it means to be a citizen of New Bedford, a member of this community, and
how best we can show the world the finest of the people and places that make this city home. As
well, we are already selecting music, uniforms, costumes, and practicing our marching and
music technique.

While in DC, our students will have more to do than just the parade. We have sought to
make this trip an experience extending further than just our mission, and instead exposing them
to the Nation’s Capital. They will be exploring DC and it’s historic landmarks, visiting museums,
meeting our Congressman in the Capitol Building, and interacting with the other schools and
organizations involved in the Cherry Blossom Parade.

I am reaching out to you in the hopes of a financial partnership in this upcoming school
year. Whether you are able to donate funds, or food, would be enormously beneficial as we try to
cut down cost for our students. It is our mission to make this trip as accessible as possible, and
we need help from the members of our community to ensure all students are able to attend. In
return for your donation, the band would be happy to include your advertisements in our
concert programs, on all our game-day concessions, and on our website.

Thank you for your consideration, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me
personally with questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and sharing
your name as a partner and supporter of the Marching Whalers Program. Go Whalers!

Timothy DeSimone
Director, New Bedford Marching Whalers

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

April 15, 2020

Dear New Bedford High School Administration,

It is a pleasure to announce the Marching Whalers Band Program has been selected to
perform in the Spring 2021 National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC. The band was
selected among a pool of schools and organizations from around the country, as one of the finest
applicants this year. Our selection to join the Festival is an incredible honor, and speaks volumes
for our school, our city, and our band.
I am asking for permission to begin planning for this opportunity, as I am seeking to
make this experience one that exceeds just the parade. Given the location in our Nation’s
Capital, I am currently seeking educational and musical opportunities for our students that will
enrich their education musically, civically, and scholastically. Currently in research are
museums, national historic landmarks, tours of the Capitol Building, a meeting with our
Congressman, a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, and time to meet and interact
with other bands and organizations at the festival.
The parade is April 10th, so I am planning a trip that includes the dates April 8-11. Given
these activities and the logistics that go into planning (transportation, lodging) I am expecting a
cost per student at ​$900​. We will drive down the 8th, need lodging for 3 nights, and will return
on the 11th. Students will miss the afternoon classes on Thursday April 8th, all classes Friday,
April 9th, but will return with enough time to be back on Monday, April 12th.
I am pleased to extend an invitation to all of you, as we would love to bring as much of
our school and identity to DC with us as possible. It would be rewarding for our students to see
all of you involved in our program, and celebrating in this great honor with us.
Please contact me personally with any questions or concerns, and I eagerly look forward
to sharing your decision with the band and our families.
Thank you, and Go Whalers!

Timothy DeSimone
Director, New Bedford Marching Whalers

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

April 15, 2021

To our Marching Whaler’s family,

On behalf of the Marching Whaler’s program and the New Bedford High School Music

Department, we students wish to express our sincere thanks for your partnership and patronage

this year.

Your donation of _________________ was able to directly impact the success of our

program as we prepared for, and then represented the City of New Bedford in the 2021 Cherry

Blossom Parade in Washington DC. Without your help, our efforts and journey would not have

been possible. ​Thank you​.

We were able to bring our entire band down for an extended weekend in our Nation’s

Capital. Us students were able to explore museums that directly interested us, and we learned so

much about our country, our history, and our national arts culture.

While we paraded down the streets of DC, it was New Bedford that was in our hearts. It

was an honor to show the Nation what our little city can do, and to represent all our family, like

you, who we knew were rooting us on back home.

Please come visit us next year at a New Bedford Football game, any of our Symphonic or

Jazz Concerts, or any of our Marching Competitions.

Thank you again,

Student Leader ___________________________

on behalf of the The New Bedford Marching Whalers

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

April 15, 2021

To our Marching Whaler’s family,

On behalf of the Marching Whaler’s program and the New Bedford High School Music

Department, we wish to express our sincere thanks for your partnership, patronage, and support

this year. Whether you cheered us on in person, offered your time to help prepare us, your

resources to support us, or your smile to encourage us, your impact was meaningful and

powerful as we took on Washington DC in the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Parade.

Our students enriched their education musically, civically, and scholastically through

museums, national historic landmarks, tours of the Capitol Building, a meeting with our

Congressman, a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, and time to meet and interact

with other bands and organizations at the festival.

While we paraded down the streets of DC, it was New Bedford that was in our hearts. It

was an honor to show the Nation what our little city can do, and to represent all our family, like

you, who we knew were rooting us on back home.

Please come visit us next year at a New Bedford Football game, any of our Symphonic or

Jazz Concerts, or any of our Marching Competitions. We would love to see you.

Thank you, and Go Whalers!

Timothy DeSimone
Director, New Bedford Marching Whalers

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

 Trip Permission Form

Student’s Name __________________________________

Student Phone____________________________________

Parent/Guardian __________________________________

Parent/Guardian Emergency Phone __________________________

Would you wish to be considered as a chaperone? ____Y ____N

$200 Deposit Due 9/1/2020 ​May pay in ​Cash, Check, or Direct

$350 in account by 10/1/2020
$500 in account by 11/1/2020
$650 in account by 12/1/2020
$800 in account by 1/8/2021
$900 in account by 2/1/2021
​Deposit​. Physical money should be
​placed in money safe in Band Office.
​Electronic payments may be given
​through Band Website. All money
​after 10/1 is non-refundable.

desimotl@dukes.jmu.edu​ (434) 409-0515 New Bedford High School

 DESCRIPTION Unit Price Quantity Total Cost THE Math Per Person TOTAL PER PERSON NOT PAYING COST FOR FREE FOLKS
Transportation (Round Trip) $4,772.40 x2 9,544.80 9544.8 / 120 = $79.54 $79.54 (7 not paying) $556.78
Tip $3.00 x120 360 3 $3 (7 not paying) $21
Student Room (4 to each) 310/night/4 people=77.5 x3 nights 77.5x3= 232.5 232.5 $232.50 - -
Chaperone Room (2 to each) 310/night/2 people=155 x3 nights 155x3=$465 $465 $465 (All 14 pay half) $3,255
Staff Room (2 to each) 310/night/2=155 x3 155x3=$465 $465 $465 (4 not paying) $1,860
Administrator Room 160/night x3 160x3=480 $480 $480 (1 not paying) $480
Director Room 160/night x3 160x3=480 $480 $480 (1 not paying) $480
Bus Driver Room 160/night x3 160x3=480 $480 $480 (2 not paying) $960
Security Guard $150/night x3 $450 $450/123 $3.66 (7 not paying) $25.62
Banquet (Catered by Eco Caters) $20 (includes tip) x123 $2,460 2460/20 $20 (7 not paying) $140
Hard Rock Cafe Group Menu $20 (includes tip) x123 $2,460 2460/20 $20 (7 not paying) $140
Tour of Capitol Building $0 x123 $0 0/123= $0 $0 (7 not paying) $0
Hotel Breakfasts $20 (includes tip) x123 2460x3=7380 7380/123 $60 (7 not paying) $420
Trailer Driver (free trip) 540 x1 $503 5.03 540
Gas .58x868=

ESTIMATES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING INDICATES STUDENT EXPENDITURE TOTAL COST OF TRIP/STUDENT COST FOR FREE FOLKS PER STUDENT INDIVIDUAL STUDENT BILL

123 TOTAL PEOPLE INCLUDING: $424.00 88.75 $515.00 (rounded)

1 BAND DIRECTOR (not paying)
4 STAFF (not paying)
1 ADMINISTRATOR (not paying)
14 Chaperones
1 Truck Driver (not paying) NSO PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FEE FOR TICKET (Optional)
100 Students SCHOLARSHIP MONEY WILL BE DIVIDED BASED ON MONEY SET ASIDE IN BAND ACCOUNT FROM FULL BAND FUNDRAISERS
2 Bus Drivers