Chamber Tour 2027
San Diego • June 24-29
Heartland Youth Choir’s Chamber Choir will travel to San Diego to participate in the San Diego Youth Choral Festival, perform alongside other youth choirs, and experience one of the country’s great cultural and musical destinations.
Commitment Form
Required by all Chamber singer families, whether your singer is attending or not!
San Diego 2027 Commitment Google Form
Tour Highlights
Two festival performances
Balboa Park, including the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and other cultural attractions
Jacobs Music Center, home of the San Diego Symphony
Individual Choir Workshop with Guest Conductor Dr. Arian Khaefi
A day at the Beach at La Jolla Shores
San Diego Zoo
Farewell party following the festival concert, including late-night snacks and a DJ
What Parents Need to Know
Why do we tour?
Touring gives HYC singers the opportunity to take their music beyond Des Moines while building friendships and confidence through shared travel and performance experiences.
Singers will perform for new audiences, meet other young musicians, experience new places together, and represent Heartland Youth Choir beyond the Des Moines area.
What will my child be doing?
Your singer will participate in rehearsals, workshops, performances, cultural activities, group meals, and supervised free time throughout the tour.
A tentative itinerary can be found at the button below, as well as a full FAQs page about other aspects of the tour
What does the tour cost?
The current estimated cost is approximately $2,650 per singer, excluding fundraising. Please note that
The tour fee includes:
Airfare and airport transportation
Overnight accommodations
B/L/D meals every day (except travel days)
Festival participation and workshops
Scheduled activities and attractions
Local transportation
Other planned tour expenses
Singers may want to bring additional spending money for souvenirs, lunch at the airports, and other personal purchases.
How do I pay?
Tour payments are made through our Chamber Tour
campaign. Use the button or scan the QR code below to
make your payment.
Please be sure to pay the required deposit first. Your
deposit is included in your total tour cost, so it will be
applied toward the amount you owe for the tour.
Financial assistance
Tour participation is currently offered to singers who are able to fund their own participation, but scholarships are available for families who need assistance.
HYC is proud to offer the Alan Nagel Tour Scholarship Fund. Families who need financial assistance may complete the online scholarship application or contact HYC for more information.
All singers must be current on HYC fees, including tuition, uniform, music, and other miscellaneous fees, before applying for a tour. Please reach out to office@heartlandyouthchoir.org if you have any questions regarding assistance! We are always happy to help.
Who will supervise the singers?
HYC staff and parent chaperones will accompany the group throughout the trip.
There will be at least one HYC staff member or chaperone for every 10 children. Chaperones are expected to travel with the group and remain with the singers throughout the tour.
All chaperones must complete an official background check.
Parents interested in serving as chaperones will need to complete the chaperone commitment form and pay their own travel expenses. The chaperone fee will be equivalent to the student tour fee and includes lodging, meals, activities, and participation in scheduled activities with the singers.
Current choir coordinators should contact office@heartlandyouthchoir.org about receiving the coordinator discount.
Are there extra rehearsals before the tour?
Yes! Touring singers will continue attending Sunday rehearsals after our spring concert, WorldSongs, through the weeks leading up to departure. Additional rehearsals may be added depending on the required repertoire.
Important Dates & Payments
Commitment & payment schedule
Sunday, October 25, 2026: Tour commitment form due (singers and chaperones)
October 25, 2026: $100 non-refundable deposit due
November 15, 2026–June 15, 2027: Monthly payments (8 payments of $318.75)
Airfare is currently an estimate. The final tour cost may change slightly depending on the airfare rate HYC is able to secure and the final number of participants. Families will be notified of any adjustment before final payment.
Questions?
Questions about the San Diego Tour or your child's participation may be directed to:
Mary Craven Bartemes
mary@heartlandyouthchoir.org
515-783-4468