An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Bright, bold and buzzing: the home of Broadway is the most exciting destination in the world for performers.
Dive into the rich musical heritage of the city that never sleeps and enjoy its famous sights and skyscrapers.
Performance venues include iconic locations such as the Empire State Building, the Central Park Bandshell and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
Trip Highlights
The excitement of a Broadway Show
Shopping and sightseeing on Fifth Avenue
BB King’s Sunday Gospel Brunch in Harlem
Ferry to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
Performance Venues
Cathedral of St John the Divine
The world’s largest Cathedral – yet unfinished – is over 2 football fields long and the Statue of Liberty would fit under its dome!
Empire State Building
A ride in the express lift to the observatory floors gives students an unrivalled view of the city with outdoor decks and restored original interiors. Your visit is enhanced with a multimedia experience providing additional information on the building’s history.
South Street Seaport
With spectacular views over Brooklyn Bridge, you can perform from October to May as part of a high school music programme.
St Paul’s Chapel, Ground Zero
More than one million people visit every year – items sent to encourage rescue workers or as memorials can still be seen.
Central Park Bandshell
At the heart of Central Park, the Bandshell regularly features performances by the New York Symphony Orchestra. A large audience of New Yorkers and visitors is guaranteed all year round.
The USS Intrepid Museum
Performances take place on the flight deck or on the pier and are open to choirs, bands and dance groups. Definitely a unique performance opportunity!
Recommended excursions
Harlem Gospel Experience Walking Tour
Enjoy a neighbourhood tour of the cultural capital of Black America and experience the soulful sounds of gospel music. Explore the streets of greats like Billie Holiday, Malcolm X, and Michael Jackson while viewing legendary sites like the Apollo Theater, Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Striver’s Row, Hotel Theresa, and much more.
Broadway Inbound Workshop
Students can take on a true Broadway experience. Enjoy a workshop led by Broadway stars located next to the audition studios of Matilda. Enter the world of theatre and discover the theory behind movement on stage.
Broadway Show
The Broadway Theatre District has all the buzz and glitz that you’d expect from America’s answer to the West End. Rounding off the day with dinner and a Broadway show is a typical New York past time and it’s an exciting way for student’s to feel part of the city’s twilight activity.
BB King’s Sunday Gospel Brunch
The Harlem Gospel Choir sings every Sunday at BB King Blues Club and it’s always a lot of fun. It’s great for students to see this African-American music tradition while sampling a classic ‘all you can eat’ southern buffet. This is soul food, with dishes like cinnamon and brown sugar French toast and South Carolina Grits – dancing is definitely encouraged.
National 9/11 Memorial
The memorial quadrant is a poignant reminder of the 9/11 devastation and an inspiring testimony by citizens to honour those who died. Twin reflecting pools and manmade waterfalls mark the spot where the Twin Towers stood, with the names of everyone lost inscribed into bronze panels around the outside.
Grand Central Station
The 76-acre site makes this the largest station in the world but it’s not just the size that impresses. The vaulted ceiling has a twinkling map of the constellations and nearly 700,000 commuters swirl about the marble counters and central clock tower everyday. The magnificent aesthetic modelled on ancient Roman baths make this iconic public space so magical.
Empire State Building
Built at the peak of the skyscraper craze in 1931, the 1250ft Empire State Building is an Art Deco symbol of NYC. A ride in the express lift to the observatory floors gives students an unrivalled view of the city with outdoor decks and restored original interiors. A handheld device acts as an audio and visual companion with engaging videos, image galleries, quizzes and maps.
Top of the Rock
With views to rival those of the Empire State Building, Rockefeller’s multi-floor observation deck is 70 floors high. A thrilling Plexiglass screen installation shows the construction workers hanging on the high beams, with a chance for you to ‘walk’ across one too, far above the city streets. Exhibits include the history and a model of the building.
Fifth Avenue
From Washington Square to 143rd street in Harlem, Fifth Avenue is the main thoroughfare through Manhattan and is deemed to be the most expensive street in the world. Although the shopping district is lined with prestigious stores the area along Central Park has many historical buildings and 19th century palatial homes that contain galleries and museums.
Radio City stage tour
From the start, Radio City was designed to enchant, built just after the stock market crash of 1929 as a symbol of hope. It is the largest indoor theatre in the world but retains a feeling of intimacy through its grand interiors and extraordinary use of space. New ‘Stage Door’ tours reveal both the theatre history and impressive new technological features.
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
When arriving in New York, a great way to appreciate the scale of the city and avoid crowds is to take a boat cruise. Students can see the famous skyline and get to know the layout of Manhattan with excellent photo opportunities. The Full Island Cruise takes in over 100 landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and Yankee Stadium.
Lincoln Centre of Performing Arts
The NYC-based complex is comprised of twelve residential organisations including the Metropolitan Opera and the Film Society of Lincoln Centre. As well as a guided tour, 90-minute instructed sessions will give students the chance to practice under talented and engaging artists. Events are tailored to group interest and focus on dance, drama or music.
One World Observatory, One World Trade Center
The One World Observatory is located within the One World Trade Center providing unmatched views stretching across Manhattan to New Jersey. Groups will be able to learn about the history of the Trade Center in New York, its history and construction. Free educational material is available for the following subjects: Economics, History, Science, Math and Value Diversity.
Harlem Gospel and Jazz tours
Harlem is steeped in history, from its origins as a rural Dutch community through the cultural clashing of the 60s and 70s, to contemporary summer retreat. At the turn of the century it was a melting pot for African-American artists. Musically-led tours tell the story of this diverse district through the high energy and charm that stirs in its heart.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
This unique visitor attraction offers three levels of multi-sensory immersive experiences on the top of the fourth tallest building in Manhattan. Visitors will experience a blend of art installations and technology against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Amazing photo opportunities during the day or at night!
Typical accommodation
West Side YMCA
Why groups like it:
- Steps away from the Lincoln Centre, Broadway & the American Museum of Natural History
- Close to Central Park
- Brilliant access to public transport
Facilities:
- Twin bedded bunk rooms; Shared facilities
- Large health facility including two indoor pools
- 24 hour security & free Wi-Fi in lobby
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to New York
2 Times Square
3 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
3 South Street Seaport for shoppingtPerformance at St Paul’s Chapel, 9/11 Memorial
4 Meal at Planet Hollywood
5 Broadway show
1 Breakfast
2 Central Park
3 Perform at the Cathedral of St John the Divine
4 Fifth Avenue, backstage tour of Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building
5 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Acoustics in Grand Central Station
3 UN Building
4 Overnight flight to UK
1 Arrive back in the UK
“
On our last day we played at The Statue of Liberty for many very interested and enthusiastic tourists alongside some S.W.A.T soldiers who ‘dropped in for a look see’. This was a memorable day at one the most iconic statues in the World.
Lathallan School
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