-
Why should I attend this conference?
As a conductor you’re often left alone with all manner of professional decisions. Furthermore, it’s not comme-il-faut for an established conductor to take lessons or attend workshops. When you have finally managed to cross the gap from student to professional, you’re supposed to be equipped with infinite wisdom. Even though this is, of course, true, ;-) it is extraordinarily rewarding to meet with colleagues who know what it’s like to face the music on a daily basis.
Any CEO of any major company in the business community constantly seeks new knowledge and develops management and people skills. By registering for the 2010 Copenhagen Conducting Conference you choose to take part in propelling yourself and the conducting profession into the 21st century.
On top of being a unique networking opportunity, the conference provides you with a lot of professional input that will not only reboot your musical passion but also boost your communicational capacity when it comes to dealing with people.
Check ‘Conference Program’ for more details.
-
What is Denmark?
Denmark is located just north of Central Europe. The western part of Denmark borders Germany, but most of Denmark is comprised of islands. To be specific, 443 islands of which 72 are inhabited. Denmark is the oldest monarchy in the world with a present population of approximately 5.5 million people. The present queen is Margaret II. The queen's father King Frederik IX was an accomplished conductor, which the queen will tell us about on Saturday, January 9th.
Read more about Denmark on
Wikipedia
-
What's there to do and see in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. The population is 1,167,569 if you include the surrounding suburbs, but inside the old city proper, a mere 518,574. Copenhagen is a fascinating town that combines an old medieval city center, Renaissance castles and modern architecture.
The city center is dissected by the famous, pedestrian shopping street “Strøget” where you can find all kinds of shops. The town is also full of fantastic restaurants, cafés, bars, museums and all kind of sights. Explore Copenhagen and its offerings
here.
-
What is there to do for spouses?
The conference program this year has been developed with constant focus on spouse participation. Therefore several sessions will also appeal to people who may not be actual conductors themselves, including but not limited to:
- Meeting the Queen of Denmark
- Cruise to Oslo, Norway
- Sightseeing Tour of Copenhagen
- Tour of the Opera
- Dress Rehearsal at the Amazing Danish Radio Concert Hall
- Opening Concert
- Closing Concert
- Lego Serious Play
- Luncheon Speaker Leif Segerstam
…and last but not least:
If this is not enough, the big "January Sale" is on all week. And Malmoe, Sweden is only 40 minutes away. Malmoe is a wonderful town for shopping and at the moment, the Swedish currency is hit hard by the international financial crises, securing you a lot of value for your money!
-
Shopping in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is indeed famous for its shopping potential. The fact that Copenhagen is the #1 cruise capital of Europe speaks a language of its own! The famous "January Sale" will probably begin on Monday, January 3rd and continue during the entire conference period!! Read more about
Shopping in Copenhagen
-
What's open on Sunday?
Most restaurants and cafés will be open on Sunday.
Usually shops are closed on Sundays, but most major stores are open on the first Sunday of the month.
Most museums will be open on Sunday.
-
What about the language?
The national language in Denmark is Danish, but the official language of the conference is English. This means that ALL sessions will be conducted in English.
Since there are only about 5.5 million Danes in the world, it’s paramount that Danish children growing up in a globalized world learn foreign languages at an early age. English is the first foreign language in the Danish schools, and today, practically all Danes understand and speak English.
-
What is the currency in Denmark?
Even though Denmark has been part of the European Union since 1972, the country has voted to stay out of the European currency (the Euro). Therefore, the Danish currency is still the Danish Kroner (DKK). Need a currency converter? We've placed one
here and on several pages on this site for your convenience.
-
Time zones and travel times
Denmark is one hour ahead of London making it GMT +1.
If you travel from the US, you’ll travel “against time”. If you leave Chicago, for example, at 10:05 pm on SK944 on January 2nd, you will arrive in Copenhagen about 8 hours later which, with the time difference, will be around 1:30 pm local time the next day, January 3rd.
Going back to the US you’ll travel “with time”. That is, if you leave Copenhagen at 2:30 pm on SK933 bound for Chicago, you’ll be at your destination at 5:30 pm local time on the same date. (The westbound flight takes a little longer).
-
Is there any daylight in Denmark?
Yes, there will be daylight from about 8am till about 4pm, pretty much like in New York during that time of year.
-
What is the weather like?
Of course January means midwinter in Denmark, but there’s no guarantee of snow. The weather is pretty much similar to the weather in New York during that time of year. Here is the weather forecast for the conference period this year (in Danish and all temperatures in Celsius. A quick conversion: the high for the week was 39 degrees F and the low was 19 degrees F. )
The weather right now in Copenhagen:
-
Do I need a VISA to visit Denmark?
If you wish to visit Denmark for a short period of time, you must obtain a visa prior to entry if you come from a country with a visa requirement for entering Denmark. See the
list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Denmark.
-
Tips to avoid jet lag?
- Drink PLENTY of liquid but no alcohol during the flight. Apply skin lotion.
- Even if you may not be able to sleep on an airplane, close your eyes and “pretend to”.
- Adjust your clock to the new time zone upon departure and start pretending to be adjusted yourself.
- Upon arrival go to bed according to the local time zone, NOT according to your biological clock.
- If you HAVE to sleep, take a 30 minute nap. It’s been scientifically proven, that a short "power-nap" equals several hours regular sleep. It’s just important that you don’t get into the phase of REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement sleep = deep sleep), hence the 30 minute rule.
- Biologically you’ll survive just fine even if you manage to get no more than 4-5 hours of sleep for a couple of days, so don’t turn lack of sleep into a problem. Stay calm and enjoy the fact that less sleep gives you more time to experience and explore the new surroundings!
-
How do I get from the airport to the hotel?
Take the Metro from the International terminal (terminal 3) at the Copenhagen Airport. Tickets may be purchased in the terminal for the price of DKK 31,50 (about $6). In just 18 minutes you’ll be at the station called "Forum" where you get off. From there it’s about a 3 minute walk to either hotel.
See our map.You may also grab a cab. They are parked right outside the International terminal (terminal 3).
The trip will cost about DKK 300,- (about $ 60).
Addresses:
Avenue Hotel
Åboulevard 29
1960 Frederiksberg CCABINN
Vodroffsvej 55
1910 Frederiksberg C
-
How do I get from the airport to the Ferry terminal?
Take the Metro from the International terminal (terminal 3) at the Copenhagen Airport. Tickets may be purchased in the terminal for the price of DKK 31,50 (about $6). After a 13 minute ride get off at the station called "Kongens Nytorv". Transfer to bus 26 toward the DFDS terminal. In another 13 minutes you’ll be ready to board the ferry!
-
How do I get from the Ferry terminal to the hotel?
Bus 26 will take you to "Kongens Nytorv" where you’ll transfer to the Metro. Board the train toward "Vanløse" and get off after 5 minutes at the "Forum" station From there it’s just a 3 minute walk to the hotel.
You may also grab a cab.
Addresses:
Avenue Hotel
Åboulevard 29
1960 Frederiksberg C
CABINN
Vodroffsvej 55
1910 Frederiksberg C
-
Local transportation in general?
Copenhagen has a very well-developed public transportation system. Apart from the Metro (subway), busses operate all over town. From "Forum" Metro Station right next to the conference site, bus #2 will take you to the Town Hall Square in 5 minutes, where the famous pedestrian shopping street ‘Strøget’ starts. "Strøget" ends at the big square "Kongens Nytorv" where you’ll also find the Royal Theatre. From "Kongens Nytorv" the Metro will get you back to "Forum" in just 5 minutes.
-
How do I purchase Metro and bus tickets?
You can buy single tickets on all busses and metro stations. You may also buy a 10-tour discount card, which will almost reduce the fare by half.
-
How do I get to Malmoe in Sweden?
The Oresund Train will take you to Malmoe, Sweden in a matter of 40 minutes. The Oresund Train departs from ‘Nørreport Station’ which is one stop on the Metro from the stop nearest the conference venue, called ‘Forum’. There usually is a train to Sweden every 20 minutes.
-
How do I get to Vejle for the New Year's Eve arrangement?
The intercity train will take you directly from the airport (terminal 3) to Vejle at the price of DKK 314,- (about $60,-) in 3-4 hours. Tickets may be purchased in the airport terminal. From Vejle Station you’ll have to hail a cab to take you to the hotel.
-
What about churches?
Denmark is a Protestant Lutheran country. Copenhagen has churches for almost any religious faith, including an English church, a synagogue, several mosques etc.
Read more
-
Phone calls and internet access
The general technological standard in Denmark is state of the art.
Phoning to Denmark:
The country code for Denmark is +45.
Phoning from Denmark:
Dial 01, followed by the country code you are dialing. For example, the country code for the US is +1. Therefore, you would dial: 011, followed by the number you want to call. It will sound like you are calling from next door. Beware however! You are not! International phone calls are quite expensive, particularly from hotel phones, so take care. You will also be charged for the call, even if the other party's line is busy or does not answer.
If you bring your laptop, the cheapest and easiest way of staying in verbal/visual contact with family and friends is by using Skype. Skype is by the way invented by the Dane Janus Friis. Check it out on http://skype.com
Both hotels have wireless internet access. There is no wireless available at the conference venue.
-
Electric currency?
Like most of Europe, Denmark uses 220V currency. Most modern appliances convert by themselves, but you may need a European travel adapter for the plug.
-
Tipping
In Denmark, tips are included in the price, but in cafés and restaurants, it is normal to round-up or add an additional bonus if you are pleased with the service.
-
Smoking?
Denmark has a pretty strict non-smoking policy. Therefore, smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas including the hotels and the conference site.
-
How do I react in front of the Queen?
When the Queen enters the room, you’ll have to stand. Don’t sit down until the Queen herself is seated. Otherwise act normal. If for some odd reason you get to address the Queen, you should address her as "Your Majesty". For all other members of the royal family, the proper form of address is "Your Royal Highness" or in the third person by their respective titles: "The Crown Prince", "The Prince Consort", etc.
