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Festivals
Encore is pleased to provide the following festival opportunities:
new! Limerick International Band Festival (March 16-18, 2012)
Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts - Great Britain (April 12-18, 2012)
Featured Festival! Alta Pusteria - Italy (June 20-24, 2012)
Crescent City Choral Festival (June 22-26, 2012)
BAires CANTA - Argentina (June 10 - July 27, 2012)
new! Schladming International Youth Wind Band Festival and Competition (July 10-15, 2012)
Check back with us again as we add more festivals! If you're interested in participating in a festival, please contact us.
Limerick International Band Festival
March 16-18, 2012
Limerick, Ireland
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On Sunday March 18th, the Limerick International Band Parade will celebrate its 43rd anniversary and over 800 musicians will converge in Limerick for the party!
Marching bands from around Ireland, the USA, Europe and Northern Ireland will join Limerick’s finest to showcase their talents with adrenalin pumping music for all the family to enjoy. The Band Parade will start in O’Connell Avenue and end in Arthur’s Quay Park with a free concert to the public.
DAY 1: Overnight Flight
Depart the USA for your custom 9-day performance tour of Ireland! Dinner and breakfast will be served onboard your flight.
DAY 2: Limerick
Your tour manager will meet you upon arrival in Ireland and transfer you to your comfortable hotel in the Limerick area. Established in the 9th century, Limerick City is the third largest city in Ireland and the cultural hub of Ireland's mid-western region. The city offers a wealth of Old World shopping, art, and cultural activities, as well as wonderful fresh air strolls along the magnificent River Shannon, great food, and a lively nightlife. Enjoy a tour orientation this evening and dinner before having a good night’s sleep.
DAY 3: Limerick
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Limerick International Band Festival kicks off annually on the weekend of St. Patrick's Day. This unforgettable event, filled with color and pageantry, is a truly international event. All categories of Marching/Concert Bands and Drill & Dance Teams from around the world converge on Limerick for spirited competition, lots of fun, and a delightful dose of Irish history. Participate in the festival activities today: Display your band's expertise and let your repertoire shine in the acoustically perfect, visually stunning confines of the University Concert Hall, Limerick—all in front of the Mayor of Limerick other Civic Dignitaries and distinguished guests. Bands from all over Ireland join with teams from the United States, Britain, Italy, France and other countries for a splendid evening of superb music.
For Marching Bands, this event is the highlight of the festival weekend and attracts an array of bands from the United States, Britain, France, Holland, Italy, Russia, Japan and nearly every county in Ireland. Besides the Mayor of Limerick, Government Ministers and Civic Dignitaries, over 45,000 people line the parade route to see this huge local attraction. All categories of marching bands are welcome to attend.
DAY 4: Limerick
Your day will be spent in Limerick participating in activities of the International Band Festival. Dinner will be in the hotel this evening.
DAY 5: Limerick
Your excursion today will take you around the Ring of Kerry, said to be the most spectacular drive in all Ireland! Travel through Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane and home of Daniel O’Connell, known as "The Liberator." Continue through Castlecove and Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park, the Lakes of Killarney and Killarney town. Return to Limerick for dinner.
DAY 6: Limerick
Today, you will tour County Clare, traveling up the West Coast of Ireland through Ennis and Lahinch to the dramatic 650ft Cliffs of Moher. Continue through Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan and Kinvarra as you return to Limerick. Your next festival concert will be this evening.
DAY 7: Dublin
This morning, depart east for Dublin via Ballinasloe and Athlone, the center of Ireland. Visit Clonmacnoise, the monastery founded by St Ciaran in the 6th century. Arrive in Dublin and check in to the hotel where you will enjoy dinner.
DAY 8: Dublin
Enjoy a tour of Dublin today! Morning sightseeing of Dublin with a local guide introduces you to the statue-filled O’Connell Street, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells, Ireland’s most richly decorated medieval illuminated manuscript. The highlight of today will be your final concert performance in Dublin. This evening, you will have a special, farewell dinner to end your tour!
DAY 9: Dublin
After a final breakfast at your hotel, it’s time for hotel checkout, a last farewell to your tour manager, and your return home!
Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts
April 12-18, 2012
Harrogate, Yorkshire (Great Britain)
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The Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts has welcomed young musicians and ensembles from around the world for over three decades. More than 20,000 participants have shared performances with both international ensembles and appreciative audiences to create lifelong memories and experiences.
The Festival takes place annually each Easter and is recognized as a leading event in the international musical calendar. The Festival features prestigious venues situated in the historic spa town of Harrogate. Outstanding performance opportunities include the16th century Ripon Cathedral, Harewood House—home to the Queen’s cousin—and the splendid 19th Century Royal Hall.
A highlight of the Festival experience is the opportunity to perform as part of a massed choir, or massed band, while international guest conductors and optional workshops enhance the musical experience.
CHECK OUT THESE SAMPLE ITINERARIES. CONTACT ENCORE TOURS TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM TOUR:
- Harrogate International Youth Festival with London - 9 days
- Harrogate International Youth Festival with London and Edinburgh - 11 days
If you're interested in participating in the Harrogate International Youth Festival or if you'd like to start a conversation about the festival, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.
Alta Pusteria (Featured Festival!)
June 20-24, 2012
Val Pusteria, Italy
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Watch video footage from last year's festival. |
The Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival is a non-competitive musical event that takes center stage in the 11 towns of the Val Pusteria region of Italy. Since 1998, nearly 800 choirs and 30,000 singers have performed at the renowned festival. The musical event includes 40 indoor venues and open air exhibitions. Ensembles will have the opportunity to perform in churches, concert halls, Alpine huts, pavilions, castles, historical centers of the valley, and town squares. Indoor concerts will have two to four choirs perform and outdoor concerts will have five to eight choirs perform.
The festival also includes Meeting Days, which are the concert highlights of the festival. Meeting Days are scheduled in the biggest venues in the valley, and each meeting day allows eight to twelve choirs to perform to large, enthusiastic audiences. Choirs are grouped together depending on their genre or section. Sections include:
- Sacred or religious repertoire
- Cultivated secular polyphony
- Folk choral music
- Opera singing
- Spiritual, Gospel, Jazz
- Original choral arrangements
Ensembles will get the opportunity to meet and mingle with other international choir groups during the festival's three feasts. On Friday, all choirs are invited to the Big Tyrolese Feast, an all-day event that takes place in Villabassa, a popular resort town in northern Italy. On Saturday, you'll have the opportunity to join other costumed ensembles in the Choir's Parade in San Candido and perform a masse concert. Lastly, you'll partake in the closing ceremony or Festa dell’Arrivederci in Sesto. To learn more about this festival, visit www.festivalpusteria.org.
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CHECK OUT THESE SAMPLE ITINERARIES. CONTACT ENCORE TOURS TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM TOUR:
- Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival and Salzburg - 8 days
- Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival with Venice, Salzburg and Vienna - 10 days
- Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival with Salzburg, Venice, Florence and Rome -
12 days
If you're interested in participating in Alta Pusteria or if you'd like to start a conversation about the festival, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.
Crescent City Choral Festival
June 22-26, 2012
New Orleans, Louisiana
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The festival offers young singers the opportunity to work with native New Orleans conductor Cheryl Dupont and a guest conductor and sing with other choirs in one of America’s most historic cities.
The final performance will take place at the nationally renowned St Louis Cathedral, located in the heart of the French Quarter. This festival is noncompetitive and focuses on the sharing of music making for youth.
Participating ensembles will enjoy individual and festival chorus performing opportunities. Join in for this life-changing experience as you join together through singing! Call 1-877-460-3801 for more information or encoretours@acis.com.
Day 1: Welcome Reception
New Orleans welcomes you as you arrive in this unique American city. After settling into your hotel you will have your first rehearsal of the festival. Late afternoon activities include a walking tour of the French Quarter. This evening is free to further explore and experience some of the culinary gems of Nawlins’!
Day 2: City Sightseeing and Rehearsal
After breakfast, start the day off with your second massed choir rehearsal. The afternoon is free for further exploration. Your activities could include a visit to the Aquarium of the Americas or the zoo. Round out the day by discovering one of the many beautiful parks or listening to live street jazz.
Day 3: Cajun Dancing and Rehearsal
After breakfast, join the other choirs for your morning rehearsal. During your free afternoon choose to take the St. Charles Streetcar through the Garden District or spend time in Jackson Square watching street performers and artist create their work. Tonight dinner and Cajun dancing is included at Michaul’s.
Day 4: St. Louis Cathedral Festival Concert
Enjoy breakfast before spending the morning exploring the Riverwalk. In the afternoon enjoy your final rehearsal at St. Louis Cathedral before your grand finale performance. After the concert celebrate your trip aboard a riverboat dinner cruise where you are able to bid farewell to the many new friends you’ve met.
Day 5: Departure
Set off on your return journey or decide to lengthen your stay with an additional night in New Orleans. Optional trips could include Louisiana Swamp Tours to see alligators and other wildlife, or an excursion to the capital city of Baton Rouge just to name a few. Call us at 877-460-3801 for additional touring ideas!
BAires CANTA
June 10 - July 27, 2012
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Participate in a cultural exchange of international choral music throughout Buenos Aires as part of FUNDECUA´s (Foundation for Development, Culture, and Art) Bicentennial Concert season. Perform in magnificent Luna Park Stadium—a 6,000 seat arena and popular venue for world-class artists—collaborate with other choral groups from around the world, and partake in the beauty that surrounds Buenos Aires.
This festival is arranged under the direction of Grammy-award winning Andrea Merenzon. She is currently the General Director of the International Music Festival of Buenos Aires, which features renowned international professors, and the International Youth Orchestras Festival, which gathers 50 Youth Orchestras every year.
On Saturday and Sunday evenings, there will be simultaneous joint concerts at a variety of churches and concert venues throughout Buenos Aires. At each ‘friendship concert’ there will be no more than three festival choirs performing, allowing each choir the opportunity to sing for 30/40 minutes from your own repertoire. Some of the most beautiful churches of South America will host the joint concerts. Their beautiful décor, great acoustics and friendly audiences will make for a spectacular choral performance.
If you're interested in participating in BAires CANTA or would like to start a conversation about the festival, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.
Day 1: Welcome Reception
Buenos Aires welcomes you as you arrive in this vibrant, elegant city—sometimes referred to as the Paris of South America. Today there is a Welcome Reception and Opening Concert for you to meet and greet other participating choral ensembles from around the world.
Day 2: Sightseeing and Performance
This morning enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires. The afternoon is yours to explore the city. Tonight, partake in a joint concert at one of the city's spectacular venues.
Day 3: Camaraderie Lunch and Performance
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to sightsee, shop, or simply relax.
Join other performance groups this afternoon for a Camaraderie Lunch. This evening you will perform in a joint concert.
Day 4: Master Class
This morning is a Master Class
with a local, renowned professor. The rest of the day is dedicated to a rehearsal and performance at Luna Park Stadium followed by an all-choir concert.
Day 5: Departure or Continue Your Tour
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. This tour can be lengthened to add custom performances in Mar del Plata, La Plata, Rosario, Córdoba, Mendoza and/or Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay).
Schladming International Youth Wind Band Festival and Competition
July 10 - 15, 2012
Schladming, Austria
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The Schladming Wind Festival offers a world-class music making experience, performing wind music from all over the world in the Alpine Valley at the foot of the Dachstein Mountain. The festival has seen 2,500 musicians from 15 nations travel to this small Austrian town to perform up to 50 concerts each year, including the Lange Nacht der Musik (Long Night of Music). The competition offers young wind musicians the possibility to compete with others in a fair contest and experience a meaningful cultural exchange.
Bring your wind ensemble to Austria and join this truly international festival for a life-changing experience! Call 1-877-460-3801 for more information or encoretours@acis.com.