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Phone: (949) 214-3423
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (949) 214-3418
Phone: (949) 214-3652
Mar
31
Priority Deadline
Friends and family of Concordia University Irvine are invited to join the Concordia University Irvine USA 250 Music Festival in New York City! The following details are provided to assist your planning for traveling to New York to support our musicians. Please note that the University is not arranging travel, lodging, excursions, or tickets for those traveling alongside the performers. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information to provide guidance. We welcome those who wish to join us to be part of this exciting experience or who wish to support our student musicians.
Patron Travel Program - The Patron Travel Program is intentionally flexible. Patrons arrange their own flights, hotels, meals, and most tickets. Concordia University Irvine lists recommended hotels and optional excursions throughout NYC led by President Michael Thomas and Kimberly Thomas. Patrons are welcome to participate in as many or as few activities as they choose. All excursions and events listed below are optional.
Please note that the students have a rehearsal schedule to keep in the days prior to the Carnegie Hall concert. For friends and family members who intend to spend time with the students, please consult their schedule prior to making any plans. Musician Notes are noted separately in the itinerary below and do not pertain to other travelers.
Are you traveling to New York? Please fill out this form to be included in schedule updates and gathering notices. This will be our contact list during our week in New York.
MUSICIANS’ NOTE: The musicians arrive at Newark Airport at 4:45pm. Arrival at the hotel is likely to be between 7-8pm.
The musician hotel for the duration of the trip will be the Belvedere Hotel (48th & 8th).
This evening is free to explore New York.
OPTION: Dr. Tom Mueller, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, will lead a student group (optional) to a local jazz club (details will be posted later for travelers who want to arrange tickets separately).
A free day to explore New York.
OPTION: 10:00 AM Dr. Jeff Held, Assistant Dean for Music & the Arts will lead a student group to the Juilliard Bookstore, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, The NY Phil Archive, and The Met Opera Shop. Patron Travel Program participants are also welcome to attend.
Afternoon: Free time for rest, sightseeing, or dining
Optional Evening Performance: Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera — Verdi’s La Traviata
All of the Concordia musicians will be in attendance, thanks to the generosity of donors, Mark and Lauri Howell. Patron Travel Program participants who want to attend as well may purchase tickets directly from The Met Opera.
Time: 7:30pm, approximate runtime 2 hours, 40 minutes
Location: Lincoln Center
Tickets purchased individually https://www.metopera.org
NOTE: All choral/orchestral/handbell musicians will hold rehearsals from 9a-12p (location t.b.d.), with a pre-concert call time of 4:30pm at Holy Trinity.
7:00 - 8:30 PM CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CONCERT at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (65th & 8th, Central Park West) FREE ADMISSION. Recommended 6:30 pm arrival time.
All Concordia Travelers are encouraged to attend. The Concordia Choir, Concert Handbells, Concordia Brass and Sinfonietta present a concert of hymns and American music. Holy Trinity is a renowned space for sacred music, known worldwide for its Bach Vespers services and notable concerts of sacred music.
MUSICIAN NOTE: Instrumentalists will rehearse at Carroll Hall (55th & 12th) from 9a-12p. Choir rehearsal will be held from 1-3p (location t.b.d.) Call time for Central Park Brass Musicians is 4:00 at the hotel. All musicians must join the Central Park Gathering at 4:30pm
4:30-6:00 CENTRAL PARK GATHERING Be on the lookout for Concordia Brass pop-up performances on the Mall and join the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations in an informal gathering of all USA 250 Music Festival travelers at the Naumberg Bandshell (usage license is pending). All musicians will be present and all travelers are requested to attend and join in one big Concordia photo. IMPORTANT Note: Exact time and final location will be texted to all performers and patrons during the trip, as this performance’s schedule is subject to change.
Experience the acoustics of this century-old Gothic cathedral while listening to the splendid 86-rank Schantz Organ.
Organ Recital with Dr. Tom Mueller Time: 7:30–8:15pm Location: St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church (66th & Lexington, 15 min walk from bandshell) Experience the acoustics of this century-old Gothic cathedral while listening to the splendid 86-rank Schantz Organ. Free Admission.
The evening will be free, with options including a Broadway show outing for students led by Dr. Busch. Show details will be provided at a later date for travelers who wish to buy tickets on their own to the same show. Or, many will choose to attend the Tom Mueller Organ Recital.
NOTE: Student call time at Carnegie Hall for dress rehearsal will be 4:30pm. (8:00 PM may be a time for travelers to meet performers in lobby for Carnegie Hall photos) 8:30 PM GRAND CONCERT: CARNEGIE HALL (Isaac Stern Auditorium) New England Symphonic Ensemble Spotlight Series The Concordia Choir & Master Chorale | Concert Handbells | Concordia Sinfonietta | Concordia Brass Dr. Christian Guebert ‘10, composer & conductor Dr. Jeff Held, Dr. Michael Busch, & Erik Der, conductors Tickets: Carnegie Hall Box Office
The iconic Carnegie Hall is a world-famous crossroads for music. Concordia is proud to join The New England Symphonic Ensemble as part of their Ensemble Spotlight Series on May 9, which will open with a choral/orchestra set by Marywood University (John Rutter: Gloria, Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms). Concordia University Irvine will follow with a double-set, 60 minutes of music featuring a major new work by Dr. Christian Guebert ‘10, Inscriptions for chorus, handbell ensemble, chamber orchestra, and antiphonal brass. Additional selections by iconic American composers will be performed in the second Concordia set, including a new commission for handbells by Alex Guebert ‘10.
10:30 PM Travelers may greet performers briefly as they load the motorcoaches. 11:00 PM-1:00 AM POST-CONCERT RECEPTION CRUISE The exclusive post-concert reception cruise features a two-hour sail around the Hudson River with spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the New York City skyline. Music, dancing, a dinner buffet, and two drink tickets included. Guest Cruise and Bus Registration
Musicians fly home from Newark at 3:50 PM.
Concordia joins the Orange County commemorations and celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States by featuring music from American composers. Our festival will include concerts between February and May, including a concert series at the Nixon Library, a MasterWorks concert at Soka Performing Arts Center, and a culminating concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City!
Those who give at $2,500 or higher will receive special preferred seating access at the Nixon Library concerts, as well as an invitation for an exclusive food and drink outing in New York hosted by President Thomas and his wife, Kimberly, if joining us on that tour. Thank you for your generous consideration!
Please fill out this form to be included in schedule updates and gathering notices. This will be our contact list during our week in New York.
(Patrons book hotels independently)
All hotels are within walking distance of Carnegie Hall and the meet-up point for Wed., Thurs., and Fri. morning excursions.
Landmark Central Park South luxury hotel.
Visit website
Steps from Carnegie Hall; quiet, classic, music-centered.
Modern, refined, West 57th Street.
Phone: (212) 245-7846
Central Park views, strong value-location balance.
Traditional upscale Midtown property.
Practical, clean, excellent location.
Address: 180 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019-1562
Phone: 212.247.5100
Note well: The New York Athletic Club can only be booked by members of The Pacific Club through Reciprocal Membership Privileges.
Time: 8:30am Location: 57 St–7 Av Subway Station Subway Lines: N / Q / R / W Meet at street level near station entrances This will be the starting point for all morning excursions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Meet-Up: 8:30am at 57 St–7Av subway station
Description A powerful and reflective visit to the World Trade Center site. The outdoor memorial honors the victims of September 11, while the museum presents historical artifacts and narratives documenting the events and their aftermath. Expect security screening and significant walking and standing.
Ticketing (Required)
Timing Overview
Free time for rest, sightseeing, or dining
Meet-Up: 8:30am at 57 St–7 Av subway station
Description An iconic New York experience including a ferry ride, Liberty Island, and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. This excursion involves airport-style security screening, ferry boarding, and extensive walking. General Admission tickets are recommended for most patrons.
Ticketing (Official Seller Only)
Free time to return to hotel, rest, and dine
Description One of the world’s great museums, offering flexibility for guided viewing or self-paced exploration. The Met is well-suited for all mobility levels and includes multiple dining options.
Museum Opens: 10:00am
Free time after lunch
Time: 7:30–8:15pm Location: St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church (66th & Lexington, 15 min walk from bandshell)
Experience the acoustics of this century-old Gothic cathedral while listening to the splendid 86-rank Schantz Organ. Free Admission.
Time: 7:00pm Venue: Vivian Beaumont Theater
Tickets must be purchased individually. Note: President Thomas has pre-reserved a limited number of Loge level tickets. If you are interested in this performance, please contact [email protected] before booking tickets to inquire about availability.
Free Time to explore NYC
Patrons may wish to make their own dinner plans. The following restaurants are within walking distance and accustomed to pre-concert dining:
Reservations are strongly recommended for Saturday evening.