What is the first thing I need to do?
Send in your application and a $75 application fee. To obtain an application, email Terri Barr-Marks or call 717.245.2826.

How much time do I have to decide to apply?
All factors depend on how fast your section is being filled. Our best advice is to send in your application (and application fee) as soon as you decide you are interested in touring with SOA this coming summer. You are welcome to call or email us to find out the current status of your instrumental or vocal section. Currently, all sections are open.

I received my brochure over a week ago. Is it too late to apply?
If you have held onto your application for several weeks or it was delayed in reaching you, and you are uncertain as to whether there are still positions available in your section, call us at 717.245.2826 or email us. It is quite possible that there are still positions available in your section. If not, we can put you on a waiting list until a position becomes available. Right now, all sections are accepting positions.

What happens when my section is filled?
If all positions are filled in your section, you will have the choice of withdrawing and receiving a full refund, or to continue the application process in hopes that a position will become available. Each year, we develop waiting lists for many instrument and vocal parts, especially in the springtime. However, when a section is filled, we end any further recruitment of musicians for that particular instrument or voice part. The majority of students on a waiting list are eventually given the opportunity to join SOA due to another individual's withdrawal. If a position never becomes available, the student is also given a guaranteed position in the following year's concert tour.

Is there an age limit? Are college students eligible?
Both high school and college students may apply. Ages 15 through 21. If you are older, you may qualify as a chaperone or a performing chaperone. Although there are college students on every tour, the majority of the students are high school age or will be graduating seniors.

Do I send a tape or CD with my application?
No, you will be provided an audition tape or CD-R (your choice) with your audition packet. Other forms and instructions will come in your application packet.

How long will it take for me to know if I've been accepted?
Have your recommendation forms returned to our office as soon as possible by either mail or fax. Work on your audition recording and return it to our office with your information form as soon as you can. Once all of your materials have arrived at SOA Headquarters, the audition usually takes anywhere from 5 to 15 days for the audition committee to review your application and audition materials before making a decision, depending upon the amount of applications being submitted at the time.

What is the demo CD and how do I obtain a copy?
If you apply for the tour, you have the option of receiving a free SOA demonstration CD. This SOA demo CD features some recordings from recent past SOA concert tours. This will give you a good idea of the type of music that is performed and the quality of the performances. We offer a CD for vocalists and another for instrumentalists, each featuring either band or chorus musical selections. We encourage students to share their CD's with their music directors and private teachers.
 
What are my chances of acceptance?
We would like to think that they are high if you have already qualified for an All-State or other honors ensemble. However, acceptance is based upon both musical skills and character evaluations. Only the most qualified will be accepted. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served policy. If you meet the qualifications and the position is available, your chances for acceptance are excellent! If you don't try, you'll never know!

What if I decide not to go after I have applied?
If you change your mind about going on the tour or about finishing your application process, please notify us as soon as possible so that we can open your position to another applicant. As stated in the brochure, above the application form, the application fee is non-refundable. If you would like to attend the following year, you are welcome to complete the application process so that you can be accepted for the year 2006.

If all of your materials are submitted to our office for evaluation, and you do not qualify for membership, you will be notified by mail and refunded $35. The musical and character standards for acceptance are very high and we are not able to accept everyone who applies for the tour.
If you have been chosen not to complete your application process, or have chosen not to travel with us on tour, the application fee is non-refundable. If you were not accepted by our evaluation committee, you will receive a $35 audition refund.

If you have been accepted and have started making tour payments, but wish to cancel your membership, please refer to the cancellation policy that was included in the application packet. To obtain this information for SOA by over the internet, please email the webmaster for more information.

I've been invited on more than one tour. How do I decide which to participate with?
Contact each tour organization and ask each of them questions. Ask for references to contact past tour members.

Compare not only costs, but look at how many days each trip is in length, all inclusions and admissions, the quality of accommodations, the number of meals included, and the overall professionalism of each concert tour, etc. The answers you receive should help you decide which tour is best for you.

Ask yourself: "What do I want to gain from this tour?" "Which tour fits my interests?" "What type of tour do I want to be a member of?" "Which tour gives me more for my money?" "What do I know about previous trips with each tour organization?" "How important is it to me that I'm with a quality musical group or a group that represents the whole country?"

You may wish to obtain a complimentary copy of "How to Select the Right Tour for Your Child" from our office. Call 717.245.2826.

To view real comments and testimonials from SOA members in your area, visit testimonials.

How many positions are available in each section?
This depends on your section and the overall size of the group. Generally, for vocalists, each of the four vocal sections of the choir contain approximately 25-40 positions in each of the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. The band is approximately 70-90 musicians strong. Mr. Barr, the conductor, will have the final determination as to the size of each section of the band. We do have an overall tour size limit due to restrictions from the airline, our motorcoaches and stage restrictions.

Can I play in the band and sing in the choir?
You may audition for both, but either you or the SOA directors will have to chose if you will perform with the band or the choir. You are not able to perform in both.

I already have plans for this summer, but how can I get an invitation for next year?
Call or write us so you can be on the list to receive information for next year's trip. If you want to go in the year 2006, you can apply now and you will be that much further ahead next fall. Just note on your application form "2006."

Can I still go if I have a medical condition or a recent illness/injury?
Diabetes, asthma, allergies, hypoglycemia, etc. are rather common and are normally not a problem IF you bring your medication and follow the medical instructions. The key is prevention and quick medication.

If you have had a recent injury or illness, please consult with your physician. If your situation would require you to have special needs or assistance, please call and talk with a staff member at 717.245.2826. Our tour physician should be able to help if and when necessary, but you should be aware that the tour can be exhausting and you should consult with your specialist.

Our tour physician will need to know every tour member's medical history. This is very important. If necessary, your doctor and ours could consult with each other prior to the tour. This is especially advised if you have had a prior injury or condition that could reoccur.

On several occasions, we have been able to bring along students who were sight-impaired, had hearing loss and other health problems or syndromes, etc. However, each individual and his or her situation must be discussed with our staff so that we can advise accordingly. We do not want to put anyone at unusual risk or discomfort.

We also recommend that each tour member be responsible for his or her own health. Our doctor will help with emergencies, unexpected situations and illnesses that occur on tour. Our program involves long days of rehearsals in the United States, full days of traveling and sight-seeing in Europe, as well as many concerts. This tour may not be suitable for all people. Those with serious or life-threatening medical histories (heart conditions, seizures, etc.) should consider this before applying. In order for our physician to be available for all tour members, we expect those individuals with more serious conditions be aware that our tour physician cannot be a care-taker for certain individuals.

Please note that sadly, wheel-chair accessibility is minimal in Europe, particularly since many of the buildings are hundreds of years old. That, coupled with the constant bus travel that we do, can make it very difficult for someone with special needs. Europe is not subject to the same handicapped accessibility laws as in the United States. Please call us if you have questions.

Back to Questions

When do we receive our music?
Choir members should receive their music in mid-May. Band members normally receive their music in early June.

What type of music is performed?
A broad area of the musical spectrum is performed in both the concert band and chorus. Music genres such as Classical, popular, Broadway, folk, international/ethnic, patriotic, sacred, spiritual, jazz, etc. For more of an idea of the selections that have been performed by the Sound of America, visit music.

Am I required to be at all rehearsals?
Although some other student concert tours do not require participants to attend rehearsals, SOA believes strongly that each minute of rehearsal at Elizabethtown College is important in order to have successful concerts. The instruction by the conductors is something no one would want to miss. Additionally, we do not schedule time from sightseeing in Europe for rehearsals. All music and choreography must be polished prior to our Bon Voyage concerts at Elizabethtown College, which are presented each year to full-house audiences. So, the answer is YES. (Remember, our summer program will start this year at Elizabethtown College, not Dickinson College.)

Will an audio or video recording be made available?
Yes. Each year the SOA concerts are professionally recorded to produce a double Compact Disc. Quality video tapes of the concerts, the sights of Europe, and SOA members enjoying Europe are also produced. CDs, video sets, as well as photo enlargements of concert(s) and individual bus groups are made available to students after the tour. The cost of these items is very reasonable. Many students also purchase CDs for family members, directors and sponsors.

Choir

Will I need to memorize music?
Yes. All of it! The time is short at Elizabethtown College. Rehearsal time must be spent on learning to blend and sing as the director wants, not memorizing the words. Also, choreography must be taught on campus as well. Not using music makes our performances more effective.

Is there choreography involved for the choir?
Yes, for some pieces, but the choreography for the choir is very simple. The more advanced choreography is usually reserved for those who qualify during auditions at Elizabethtown College for a small dance group featured in one or two musical selections. Choreography helps make the music come alive!

How are soloist chosen?
Approximately 15-25 singers will be selected from their audition tapes & CDs. These singers will be permitted to audition in person for solos within choir productions. Our featured soloist will be chosen from the taped audition and be notified prior to the tour that they have been selected to sing their solo during our concerts.

Band

Will I need to carry my instrument all over Europe?
No. Our European instrument truck will keep all the musical instruments, choral risers, sound system and recording equipment safe when we are not performing.

How is chair placement determined?
Your chair placement is determined by your audition tape or CD that you send us. When you receive your music in early June, you may notice by your music which section you will be in, but the seating arrangement isn't announced until the first rehearsal at Elizabethtown College.

How secure is my instrument?
Over the past 28 years, we have had very few instrument problems. We will instruct band members how to properly pack their instruments. Our instrument truck in Europe is very secure. However, since musical instruments are very expensive, and each musician treasures his or her instrument, we strongly suggest checking with your family's home owner's insurance or your school's insurance to see if it is covered. Otherwise, we can suggest instrument insurance companies that specialize in musical instruments for non-professionals. Every instrument should be covered by insurance, if it is not covered by your family's home-owner's insurance. We will offer special instrument insurance. Call us at 717.245.2826 for more information.

Back to Questions

What is the fundraising plan?
The fundraising plan packet is mailed with the acceptance materials. In this packet, we will suggest many options and suggestions on how to raise money for your tour. It is designed so that you can get your community behind you. We do not have items for you to sell, like you might be used to for your own band or choir. The ideas we send you do require some time and effort, but many students have done very well following our fundraising plan and its suggestions. Each year over half of the SOA members engage in fundraising. The majority of those students raise more than half their tour cost. Several each year raise their entire tour cost and more.

When is the tour cost due?
Upon acceptance, your initial deposit will be due within three weeks. You will also receive a payment schedule which enables you to make smaller payments spread out over a longer period of time. The balance will be due on June 1st. Details will be in your materials if you apply and are accepted.

Can I pay with a credit card?
As a convenience to you and your parents, we do accept VISA and Mastercard for tour payments. If you book your domestic flights through our office, you may place that purchase on a major credit card as well.

What if I must cancel? What is the cancellation policy?
If you have already made tour payments, you will have the choice of freezing your account until next year in planning to delay your trip to the following year, or receive your funds, minus the cancellation fee. These details come with the application materials.

If you have only paid the application fee, there is no refund if you decide to withdraw. This application fee is non-refundable.

Besides the tour costs, what other expenses will there be?
Transportation to and from your home town at the beginning and end of the tour, spending money (see details below), the concert uniform, any extras for excess baggage, personal items, etc. We will offer travel insurance, if you are not already covered and would like this coverage protection. Choir members will have the option of buying their music for a small cost. You will also need to obtain a passport if you don't already have one. For more information about obtaining a traveling passport, visit travel.state.gov.

Is the uniform included?
No. The uniforms will need to be ordered and purchased individually. The men's uniform consists of a navy blue blazer, pants, tie, and a dress shirt. We will send details for ordering these through JC Penny's. The women's uniform (vest and skirt) is ordered through a special company. Girls will also need to order a tie and have a dress blouse. The uniforms tend to cost $75-$125. Details will be in one of the phase packets received after acceptance.

How much spending money should I bring?
This is a somewhat difficult question given that every individual spends differently. Students last year recommended anywhere between $500 to $1,000. However, students who brought less were able to budget accordingly. (I myself, webmaster speaking, had approximately $300 last year to budget on, and I made it OK. But realize that about $150-$170 of that was spent on lunches and other snacks along the way.) A person can certainly survive on less than $600, but most students normally wish to buy souvenirs and gifts for family and friends--therefore they need more money. It is very easy to spend money in Europe. (Lunches, sodas, postage, gifts and souvenirs, etc.) The cost for almost everything is a little more expensive than what we are used to in the United States. Even a value meal at McDonalds can be about $9. Please be aware that because the value of the US Dollar is significantly weaker than it used to be. Everything in Europe is about 25% more expensive than it was 2-4 years ago.

What about foreign currency and traveler's cheques?
We will give you more information on foreign currency, travelers cheques, credit cards, ATM cards, calling cards, etc. in our pre-tour packets after acceptance. Most European countries have switched from their former currency to the new Euro. All the countries we travel to, with the exception of Switzerland, will use the Euro. We will offer all tour participants foreign currency packets so that they will have some Euros and Swiss Francs. (This is very important since our first stop Europe does not change money, and we arrive in Switzerland on a weekend.)

Should I bring a credit card or an ATM card?
If you own one or you and your parents agree on a card, it is very convenient. Bank ATM cards usually are wonderful for withdrawing cash, if the automatic teller takes your card (Plus or Cirrus). Remember, that when you have a credit card, there are many vendors and places which do not accept credit cards and sometimes a particular card just doesn't work. If you plan on using a credit card or ATM card, it is advisable to bring travelers cheques along, just in case your card becomes demagnetized, damaged, etc. (You can always cash the extra travelers cheques in the U.S. if you don't use them in Europe.) We will discuss this and credit cards in one of the phase packets.

How do I figure out currency conversions?
We will give you this information on the tour.

Back to Questions

How do I get to Pennsylvania and back home after the trip?
You will either need to fly or drive here. Most students will be flying into the Harrisburg International Airport in Harrisburg, PA, where we'll have a chartered bus and staff members waiting for the students the day of arrival. Upon returning from Europe, students should fly from either JFK or La Guardia airports. We will also have a chartered bus available for those whose parents prefer to meet their son or daughter in Pennsylvania instead of either of the New York airports.

I've never flown before. What do I need to know?
We'll give you all of the information you'll need before you fly. We can even help you arrange your domestic flights.

How do I arrange my flights?
We can help you with this. Art Murray, who works in our office, will be very helpful with helping you with booking a flight. If you have frequent flyer tickets or prefer to book through a local agency or via internet, that's fine, but we encourage you to double check with us for the correct times, dates and airports before guaranteeing your flights. You may contact him through e-mail at fly@soundofamerica.org.

We also try to place SOA students on flights with other students so you might actually meet some others before arriving in Harrisburg, PA.

I have family in Europe. Can I arrange to stay longer after the group returns to the United States?
Yes you can. Please inform us of this as soon as possible. We will need to ticket your international flights differently.

Back to Questions

What is the average size of the group?
Normally around 180-240 participants, including band, choir and adults. The band is usually 60-85 musicians and the choir is usually 90-130 singers.

What is the average count of chaperones?
We welcome parents, directors, teachers, guidance counselors, and other family members or friends of the family to join us on our tour! We have even had parents of former tour participants come on tour as well as former tour participants themselves.

Chaperones must be at least 22 years old or have graduated from college. Adults who are not a parent of a current tour member will be asked for references before being fully accepted. To apply as a chaperone, contact us for a brochure at 717.245.2826. The tour cost is the same as it is for students, but the application fee is only $55.

Chaperones will be asked to help with certain duties in assisting the staff members while on tour. This will entail staying up a bit later some nights and so forth. We like to consider our adults as the "parents" of the tour, as we do become a sort of large family unit.

There are generally 1-2 staff members and 2-4 additional chaperones on each tour bus.

There is usually a waiting list for chaperones each year. We hope to accommodate all those interested, but we must take into account the musical balance of the group before allowing more adult chaperones on tour. We are working on this situation!

What is the ratio of adults to students?
Approximately 1:7-8

My director and/or family have not heard of SOA before. How do I know you are legitimate?
First of all, we would not go to all this extra work to create a fine brochure, detailed pre-tour information, and create a high-quality website if we had not operated a successful organization for the past 29 years! However, we suggest contacting past tour members who can testify from their first-hand experience with SOA. (See next question.) We also offer a booklet for parents that answers many questions. It is entitled, "How to Choose the Right Concert Tour for Your Child." These booklets are available for free, compliments of SOA.

In addition, it is important to note the concert photograph from last year's concert tour in the brochure and the testimonials from last year. If we were not a legitimate organization, we would never have been granted "non-profit" status by the Internal Revenue Service; Dickinson College and its staff would not have worked with us every year since 1981; our airlines, hotels and concert halls would not continue to grant us permission to use their facilities each year, and we wouldn't have had 29 consecutive successful concert tours in Europe. If you have specific questions or requests that with which we can help you, please contact us at 717.245.2826. We would love to tell you more!

SOA has received commendations from former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, as well as from former Pennsylvania Governor & Under-Secretary-General to the United Nations, Dick Thornburgh, former Pennsylvania Governor & Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, former First Lady and New York Senator, Hillary Clinton, the Cultural Minister of the U.S. Embassy of Paris, and numerous mayors throughout Europe and Carlisle, PA.

Can I contact some past participants from my area?
YES! Please call us for some names and numbers of alumni in your area at 717.245.2826 or e-mail us at alumni@soundofamerica.org. Also on this website, visit testimonials.

Is it necessary to be at Elizabethtown College on the first day?
Yes. We need everyone at the college on day one. We will start the next morning with an important meeting and continue with rehearsals and classes. The schedule will be very busy here. We will give everyone details on how to get to Elizabethtown College in one of your pre-tour packets.

How did you find or hear about me?
We try to contact the top student musicians of each state. Either you qualified for an honors or All-State level event, solo event, are one of the top musicians in your band or chorus, or you were recommended to us by a director or a past participant.

What type of rules will there be on tour?
We need some tour regulations in order to have everyone on tour comfortable, healthy, safe and happy! We believe the tour rules are reasonable. Details on curfews, proper dress, personal conduct and general tour regulations will be discussed in some of the pre-tour packets and at Elizabethtown College. We expect all students to have high standards and to comply with all rules. This is a non-smoking tour!

Besides a passport, do I need any visas?
No, unless you are not an American citizen. We will send you a passport application with instructions upon acceptance. It is very important that you apply for your passport as soon as possible after acceptance.

If you haven't applied for your passport by May 1st, we suggest you purchase money orders to cover the cost of sending your information overnight delivery to and from the passport offices. Please call us for more information or visit travel.state.gov.

As of March 8, 2005, the US Government is assessing an additional $12 on the processing of new passports!

I'm not an American citizen, am I still eligible?
Most probably. If you are not an American citizen, you will need to make sure you have a valid passport, and the visas that may be required for all the countries we will be visiting. Also, be sure you have the correct documents to re-enter the U.S. Please let us know when you apply if your citizenship is not American. We may be able to help you. There are quite a few types of citizenships that are no longer required to obtain visas from the European consulates. Please visit the following websites. If you need a visa, you'll need one from Switzerland and a Schengen visa which is valid on all the other countries we'll visit. (Switzerland is not part of the European Union.)

Visa requirements for Switzerland

Visa info for European Union countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Luxembourg)

More Information on the Schengen visa needed for EU countries

Some FAQ's on the Schengen visa

Visit the US State Department to see what you need to re-enter the US

Do I need any shots or vaccinations before traveling in Europe?
Not where we are going. Our tour physician will give everyone ideas to help from becoming fatigued, dehydrated and sick. Be sure to bring any prescription medicine if you think you may need it.

Is the water safe to drink?
Yes. But if you prefer, bottled water is available throughout Europe.

I'm a vegetarian, can meals be arranged for me?
Yes. We can order veggie dinners if you inform us by early June. Although some of the vegetarian meals are not too exciting, most are quite good!

Europe is not very accustomed to vegetarians, let alone strict vegetarians. We have found that finding meals or ordering special strict vegetarian meals is almost impossible. If you are a vegetarian, we suggest contacting us so that we can discuss this.

How do I find out if there are any other students from my area going on the tour this year?
Contact our office and we'll tell you who else has been accepted from your state. We will send out a listing of accepted tour participants in one of our mailings in the spring. A final listing will be sent to all tour members in early June.

Can I invite someone else to participate on the tour?
Yes. Call or write us with information of where to send them a brochure. Remember that we are looking for talented, quality individuals for the tour.

How are roommates chosen?
We select roommates based on your roommate questionnaire which will be mailed to you in mid-spring. We first separate the guys and girls, and then age groups. From there, we try to find individuals with similar interests. If you already know someone who you would like to room with, vise-versa, call us at 717.245.2826 or send an email to terri.barrmarks@soundofamerica.org.

How many people are rooming together?
On tour, there will be times where there will be two per room, three per room, and sometimes four per room. It will vary from hotel to hotel. However, most of the time, European rooms are set up for two in a room.

I know someone else who will be touring with SOA. Can I room with them or be on the same bus?
You may request a roommate if you know someone and would like to be roomed with them (providing you are the same sex). You may also request to be on the same bus throughout the tour as the other person (parent, friend, etc.) and we will do our best to arrange this.

Do most tour participants usually know other students before coming to Elizabethtown College for rehearsals?
No. Aside from a handful that do each year, the majority of students do not know anyone else before arriving on campus.

Is there an 800 phone number?
Sorry, but no. However, we have e-mail addresses. If you have several questions, the fastest and most complete way to have them answered is to call us at 717.245.2826. Otherwise, if you have a brief question and can wait a few days for a response, you can contact us via e-mail through the contact us page.

Can I attend religious services while on tour?
Sometimes. In many places we will visit, it may be hard to find services other than in Catholic churches. NOTE: The choir usually performs during mass in Venice.

Please note that SOA cannot favor a particular religion. Although many SOA members tend to be rather religious, we are not a religious organization. Whatever your worship day may be, it is likely that at least once while on tour, we'll be traveling and you will find it nearly impossible to attend a service. Of course, if our schedule allows, staff members and hotel front desks can help find information that you will need to find a religious service of your choice. Some participants have enjoyed attending a service on their free-time.

How can my parents contact me while I am in Europe?
We will provide each family with addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers of each hotel. We will also explain to you how to call home with a calling card, directly or reverse charges. Please note that we will supply access numbers for AT&T, MCI and Sprint. If you own a calling card from another company, you will need to check with them prior to your departure, to find out how to access the U.S. from each European country. Phone calls are quite expensive. There are some other options too, and we will go over that in our literature in the spring.

There are some hotels and shops in Europe which offer internet access. You can pay a few dollar's worth to get on-line for 15-30 minutes. You will probably need to have an existing account through a web-based e-mail provider like Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, etc. to access your own e-mail. They are easy to set-up. (You can also contact your current provider to see if you can alter your settings so the mail you receive at your regular address is forwarded through a new web-based account.) You cannot count on finding these internet places at any given time, but you will probably come across a few throughout the trip, if you are looking for them.

Coming soon, all members of SOA will receive a soundofamerica.org email address. This is expected to become available early spring 2006.

Can my parents stay during the rehearsals at Elizabethtown College?
Parents and families are welcome to stay in the area. As the year progresses, we'll be able to offer more information about hotels, Bon Voyage concert information, etc. We will provide everyone with a hotel list in advance so families can stay nearby. They may want to watch rehearsals and visit Elizabethtown's nice campus. Elizabethtown is close to Hershey Park, Gettysburg, Baltimore, (another Baltimore link), Washington, DC and Lancaster (PA Dutch/Amish country).

What information is there about security and air safety?
After the tragedies of 9-11, SOA has re-evaluated and installed a few new things as we continue to offer a very secure tour. We have always considered the safety of our students of top priority throughout our trip. Although we cannot guarantee 100% safety in Europe, as no one can in the U.S. or anywhere in the world, we are happy to say that we feel our tour is offered with as much safety as it has enjoyed over the past 29 years. We also stay in communication with European contacts, study state department issuances, and have staff members who have been to Europe numerous times. We think everyone on last year's tour felt completely safe and secure while in Europe.

How safe is air travel? The statistics show that flying accidents are still extremely rare and tourist-related terrorism or deaths in Europe is almost non-existent. The risk of being involved in a commercial jet aircraft accident involving multiple fatalities is approximately one in three million. To put this in perspective, you would have to fly once every day for more than 8,200 years to accumulate three million flights. Even though fatal jet accidents are rare, the aviation community world-wide is continuing to work together to reduce them.

Commercial jet aviation is an exceptionally safe way to travel. Millions of people around the world fly safely on commercial aircraft each day. Did you realize that in 1999, for example, there were over 6 million auto accidents in the US, in which over 41,000 people died and approximately 3.4 million people were injured? That same year domestic airlines flew over 17 million hours. There were just 2 major accidents (involving major plane damage, and deaths), 1 serious accident (involving perhaps 1 death, some injuries), and 20 minor accidents with only some injuries. In 2000, planes logged over 18 million hours (more than 11 million departures) with only 3 major accidents, 3 serious accidents, and 20 minor accidents. That comes to about 2.7 fatal accidents per 10 million hours of flight. (1)

We have a booklet with more details on safety measures for our summer tour. You may request a booklet by contacting us at 717.245.2826 or writing to Terri Barr-Marks.

Can I email the Sound of America Headquarters?
Yes. Please visit the contact us page.

Back to Questions