It is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the music educators who make meaningful travel experiences possible for their students. Your work extends far beyond the classroom. You inspire, organize, rehearse, encourage, and lead, often all at once. The impact you make cannot be overstated. You give your time, energy, and heart to help students grow not just as musicians but as people. You manage countless details, guide students through unfamiliar settings, and create experiences that broaden their perspective and deepen their confidence. Because of your dedication, young performers are able to step onto international stages and return home transformed. As part of our thanks, we want to support not just the work you do but also your continued growth as an educator. Graduate-level academic credit is available to any group leader who travels on a performance tour or takes part in Prelude, our professional development weekend for ensemble directors, which takes place each year in a spectacular international destination. For those leading a tour in 2026, we will reimburse the full cost of that credit. This is a small way to recognize the time, care, and expertise you bring to your students and to the journeys you create for them. To every teacher who has partnered with us, and to those considering their first performance tour, thank you. Your passion is the reason these life-changing opportunities exist. We are honored to support the meaningful work you do through music and travel.
March 10, 2026 Encore Tours Inside an Encore Orchestra Tour In a previous article, we explored what orchestras can expect when touring internationally. Backstage Blog
March 6, 2026 Encore Tours Experience One of the World’s Great Choral Traditions in South Africa For choirs looking to expand their musical horizons, few destinations offer the energy and authenticity of South Africa. Backstage Blog
March 4, 2026 Peter Jones Preparing for Spring Travel Editor’s note: A version of this message first appeared on the ACIS blog. Backstage Blog