On Tuesday, we concluded the first episode of the Encast, which focused on Diane Linn and the story of the Community Chorus of Detroit. In the final segment, Diane discussed how international performance tours can help ensembles set goals, build excitement, and inspire a sense of purpose in their members. Today, we want to focus on one of the most critical responsibilities for any music director: selecting repertoire. We pride ourselves on being more than just a performance tour company; we want to be actively engaged with our travelers and share the lessons we have learned through years of working side-by-side with some of the country’s most accomplished music directors. In these bonus episodes, we speak with two prominent choral directors, Dr. Sean Boulware and Suzanne Woodruff, to discuss the importance of building repertoire, and how it can impact your local community. Listen now The Encast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, and Spotify, so please subscribe today. Have you enjoyed listening to the Encast? Please let us know by leaving a five-star review! Classrooms and performance halls across the US have been disrupted, and musicians have been forced to transition into online environments. It may not be possible to travel or perform with your ensemble now, but with our new Encore Live series, you can still stay connected. Visit our Encore Live page to learn more about this new series, view upcoming live events, and watch all of our past recordings.
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
March 2, 2026 David Solar Meet Barbara Brown, Encore’s New Director of Orchestras At Encore Tours, our team is made up of passionate musicians, educators, and leaders who believe deeply in the power of performance travel. Backstage Blog