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.
February 4, 2026 David Solar ETIAS Explained: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know for Europe in 2026 If you’re planning a performance tour to Europe in 2026 or beyond, you may start hearing more about ETIAS. ETIAS for U.S. Backstage Blog Get Ready To Travel
February 3, 2026 David Solar Prelude 2026 in Rome: Inside Encore’s Signature Director Weekend Over MLK weekend, Encore welcomed music directors from across the country to Prelude 2026 in Rome. Backstage Blog
February 2, 2026 Encore Tours What an Encore Tour Proposal Includes (and How to Use It) Planning an international performance tour involves many moving parts. The proposal is where those pieces begin to come together. Backstage Blog Planning Your Tour