From the Associated Press:

"Getting visas for the 80 musicians and 20 others would have required a trip for all of them from the orchestra's home base of Manchester to London, a 300-kilometer (190-mile) journey. The cost estimate included the 63 pound (US$100; ?90) visa fee, transportation to London, an overnight stay and wages for two days"

Lets do the math. The visa itself would cost 63 pounds - or a total of 6300 pounds.   The remaining 38,700 pounds would be spent in travel, wages and hotels? Hmmm. I guess you do not have Motel 6 in England.

Granted 190 miles is a long trip, but it could be done in one very long day. A bit uncomfortable I will grant you, but it could be done.

The story continues, with quotes from Andy Ryans, the orchestra's marketing director.

" Ryans said the U.S. Embassy wasn't willing to interview and fingerprint all of the orchestra members in one day.

Many travellers, including British citizens, can enter the United States as tourists without a visa, but anyone intending to work in the country must get one before traveling.

Rick Roberts, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, said there was no record of the orchestra's trying to have all of its members come on one day but that the number of artists applying for visas had increased each year since 2003.

U.S. visa requirements were tightened after Sept. 11, 2001. Three years after the terrorist attacks, most foreigners entering the United States were required to be interviewed and fingerprinted before getting a visa.

John Caulfield, in charge of U.S. consular affairs, said the embassy makes arrangements for many groups.

"I think there was a misunderstanding," Caulfield said. "They all have to apply individually, but we could have done it at a time that worked for the orchestra." "

This was also a tour for 2007. I may be naive, but it sounds like something could have been worked out.