New York Heritage Festival | WorldStrides Performing Arts

UNITED STATES

New York Heritage Festival

Perform at the New York Heritage Festival! Welcome to the Big Apple! Home to some of the world’s greatest music venues, and popular artists. Through the streets and behind the scenes of this incredible city, there are opportunities to experience live Broadway musicals, dozens of museums and galleries, and thousands of shops and famous restaurants. The tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity of New York make it an unforgettable music festival destination.
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  • Itinerary

New York

DATES

03/20/2025 to 03/23/2025

03/27/2025 to 03/30/2025

04/03/2025 to 04/06/2025

04/10/2025 to 04/13/2025

04/24/2025 to 04/27/2025

Festival Features

Every Heritage Festival package includes:

  • One free base travel package for every 25 packages purchased
  • Positive, constructive adjudication with written and recorded comments from a panel of three nationally acclaimed adjudicators
  • On-stage mini clinic
  • Quality hotel accommodations
  • Gift for the director and commemorative gift for each student
  • Professional performance recording
  • Accident, medical, and dental insurance for all travelers plus extensive liability insurance coverage for directors
  • Free high school academic credit for students
  • Free professional development and opportunity to earn discounted graduate credit for directors

Choral director high school festival

The AIM Experience

Music Director with Choir Students Performance

Affirm. Inspire. Mentor. The AIM Experience is an exclusive private master-class session offered as an elective to participating groups at all festivals. This 60-90 minute concentrated educational experience provides extra performance time and customized one-on-one instruction from one of our professional clinicians. Music directors can set the focus of the session’s content through their planning call with the instructor. Reaffirm your classroom teachings, fine tune your festival performance, or focus on a few specific skills – the choice is yours! Ask your Performing Tour Specialist about setting up your own AIM Experience!

New York Heritage Festival Package Inclusions

  • Performance in a national music festival
  • Awards ceremony, dinner, and dance
  • Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan Island

Your adventure, day by day

Day 1 : Welcome to the Big Apple!
Rockefeller Center (optional)

Shop on 5th Avenue (optional)

Radio City Music Hall (optional)

Visit this art deco landmark, learn about the Rockettes, see and hear the mighty Wurlitzer organ, and experience a unique view of Radio City on this behind-the-scenes tour.

Top of the Rock (optional)

The observation deck atop the skyscraper in Rockefeller Center, dubbed “Top of the Rock”, is one of New York’s great landmarks. Built to resemble the deck of an ocean liner, Top of the Rock offers sightseers a fantastic view of the city. Learn more about the legacy of Rockefeller and the many events that take place in the plaza below.

Hotel check-in

Day 2 : First performances and highlights of the city
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour (optional)

The statue of Liberty has long been the icon of New York City, symbolizing a new start for millions of immigrants. Tour the memorial and see the lady of the harbor for yourself.

9/11 Memorial and Museum (optional)

Don’t miss the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site to give your group a chance to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Visit the museum to learn about the men, women, and children who lost their lives that day. Reflect on this national tragedy and Americans’ resilience to come together and rebuild.

First performances

Festival performances run throughout the day at your event venue. After arriving at your concert venue, your group will warm up in a private rehearsal room. Each ensemble will perform for 15-minutes on stage. A panel of three adjudicators will provide written and recorded feedback for each performance. Following your performance, a select adjudicator will conduct a mini-clinic on stage with your group, providing valuable feedback and reinforcement for your classroom teachings. Groups will also have the opportunity to participate as an audience for other groups competing – giving your ensemble exposure to their peers.

Broadway Show (optional)

Our Destination Specialist team can help you pick out the perfect show for your group.

Day 3 : Continued performances, Awards Ceremony, plus Circle Line Cruise
Final festival performances

Festival performances will continue throughout the day. Your performance time will be given to you weeks before your event, so you can plan your day accordingly. Bringing more than one ensemble? No problem – our team will arrange your schedule so you can maximize your free time.

American History of Natural History (optional)

The American Museum of Natural History, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. Explore many exciting exhibits as you discover the earliest humans, see fossils that are thousands of years old, or learn about animals from around the world. View a Space Show in the planetarium, check out a collection of meteorites, or walk amongst ocean creatures in the Ocean Room.

Awards Ceremony

Celebrate with new friends and old at your exclusive Awards Ceremony at beautiful Riverside Church. Choirs, orchestras, and bands will be recognized for high scores within their class – plus standout individuals will be recognized for outstanding performances.

Circle Line Cruise

Enjoy dinner and dance the night away on your Circle Line Cruise around the city.

Day 4 : Depart for home
Bye, New York

Depart for home, or stay an extra day or two! Our team can help you arrange travel or extra time in New York.

Free Download: Heritage Festivals Catalog

Free Download: Heritage Festivals Catalog

Music directors, learn how exciting and rewarding it is to take your music ensemble to a Heritage Festival with WorldStrides! You'll learn more about our organization, get a sneak peek of what it's like to attend a festival, explore our director rewards, and more.

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