Frequently Asked Questions

List of Topics

• General Information
• Registration and Refunds
• Housing
• Evening and Special Events
• Transportation and Parking
• Miscellaneous

GENERAL INFORMATION

When is the conference?
The 37th annual IDRS conference will be held Tuesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 26, 2008 on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo, Utah.

What time does the conference begin and end?
On Tuesday, sessions begin at 1:00 and ends around 5:00.  Wednesday through Saturday, conference sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and end around 5:00 p.m. with additional concerts and activities during the evening.

I heard about it from a friend. Exactly what is IDRS2008?
Each year, IDRS sponsors an international conference. The conference is a five-day event that includes concerts, recitals, master classes and workshops presented by leading double reed artists and pedagogues from around the globe.

How many people attend?
Average conference attendance is around 1200 participants.

Who can attend?
While the conference focuses on educating double reed amateurs and professionals, anyone is welcome to attend.  IDRS members do receive a discount on the registration fee.

What is your e-mail address?
Contact page

How do I contact your office by phone?
Contact page

 

REGISTRATION AND REFUNDS

When can I start registering for the conference and campus housing?
Registration page

I’m trying to register by phone, but it’s always busy and I always have to wait.
We recommend online registration as the quickest, most convenient method. You can even register in the late hours of the night when we are not in the office, and you never have to wait in line or on hold.

What is the cost to attend?
Registration page

What are your registration deadlines?
Registration page

I can’t afford to pay the fee. Do you have any “scholarships”?
No scholarships are available; however, volunteers who serve 20 hours at the conference will earn a full conference registration.  Click here for further information on volunteering.

Do I have to pay in full at the time of registration?
Yes. Sorry, but there is no deferred payment plan. Our system is not able to accommodate partial payments.

What is your refund procedure and deadline?
Registration page

HOUSING

How do I register for on-campus housing?

Accommodations page

How do I request a roommate?
Accommodations page

Will you have meal ticket or Signature Card options?
Accommodations page

I’m disabled—can you accommodate me in the residence halls?
Yes, there are several rooms in on-campus housing that are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. Because of the limited availability, if a disabled person is part of a group, we cannot guarantee that the whole group will be accommodated according to the special needs of that one person, only that the special-needs participant and his/her roommate will be accommodated in special facilities (i.e., first floor, close to bathroom, etc.). When registering for housing, please inform the registrar of any accommodations you may need. These accommodations are limited, so please contact us as soon as possible. If you have questions or special housing requests, please visit the campus accommodations Web site at www.byu.edu/confservices or call their office at (801) 422-5671.

Do you have information on local hotels or motels? Restaurants?
Accommodations page

EVENING AND SPECIAL EVENTS

What events are planned for the evenings?
Events page

What are the costs for the Deer Valley event?  How do I sign up?
Registration page

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Do I need a car?  Is there conference transportation available?
All conference venues and on-campus housing are within a ten-minute walking distance.
There will be shuttle service available between official conference hotels and the BYU campus from 7:30 a.m. to the end of the evening events each day. Shuttle service will be available at all times between the Conference Center and the main campus, where the Harris Fine Arts Center and the Wilkinson Student Center are adjacent to one another.

Where can I park?
Travel and Tourism page

I have a disability. Where can I park?
Parking for participants with disabilities: If you have a state-issued disability placard or permit, you can park in any of the state disabled parking spaces on campus. Your placard must be hung from your rearview mirror.  If disability spaces are filled in a particular lot, you may hang your placard and park in any of the parking spaces except in timed lots or spaces designated for deans and service vehicles.

How can I get from the airport to BYU?
Travel and Tourism page

Will you have shuttle vans on campus?
Travel and Tourism page

MISCELLANEOUS

Where can I eat during the conference?
Accommodations page

I want to be a volunteer. How do I get the information?
Volunteers page

I want to be a presenter. How do I apply?
The call for proposals is now closed and presenters have been selected and notified.

What is the BYU Honor Code and how does it affect me?
Brigham Young University is a private university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of that religious affiliation, members of the faculty, administration, staff, and student body at BYU make a personal commitment to an honor code that includes being honest; obeying the law; living a virtuous life; respecting others; abstaining from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse; observing Dress and Grooming Standards; participating in church services; and using clean language.

We do not impose these standards on campus guests, who are welcome in all areas of campus. However, to make your visit to BYU more pleasant, we will explain below a few things that are a bit different from other campuses.

Are there guidelines for dress at BYU?
BYU has dress and grooming standards that emphasize a clean and well cared-for appearance and clothing that is modest in fabric, fit, style, and length. Conference participants are not expected to look exactly like BYU students and faculty, but they are usually more comfortable if they dress modestly and avoid wearing short shorts, sleeveless, or revealing clothing.

There is a greater sensitivity to issues of modesty in campus housing and dining halls where visitors interact with youth who are required to observe these standards.

We think you will be pleasantly surprised at how normal BYU students look and how they dress modestly and fashionably at the same time.

Do I need to shave my beard or cut my hair to attend the IDRS Conference?
No. BYU visitors are welcome in all areas of campus without shaving their beards or cutting their hair.

Are caffeinated beverages (including coffee) available on the BYU campus? Where can I get a cup of coffee?
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are not sold or served on campus, though this would not prevent you from bringing a cup into meeting rooms throughout the day. These beverages are available at all area hotels and restaurants and at fast food chains close to campus.

Is smoking allowed on campus?
No, Brigham Young University is a private university and maintains a smoke free environment.

Is Utah a “dry” state? Are there any bars and do restaurants serve alcohol?
No, Utah is not a dry state. Alcohol is not allowed on campus or at any BYU–sponsored events off campus. However, many local restaurants serve alcohol and there are bars in the area. Further information can be found on the local convention and visitor’s bureau site at www.utahvalley.org

What will the weather be like?
Weather is typically rather warm and dry in July in Utah. Average high temperature is 93 degrees F; average low is 60 degrees F. Come prepared for changeable weather and varying indoor room temperatures.

Provo is located in a high desert (elevation 4570 ft) with low humidity, so be prepared to drink extra water to stay hydrated.

You can find an online weather forecast at www.weather.com (use the zip code 84602).