Last Tuesday, we released the debut episode of our new podcast series, Encast. Through this podcast, we hope to share the story behind some of the world’s most successful music ensembles, and help directors on their own personal journeys. In this week’s episode, Sean Boulware, a highly sought after conductor, composer, and director, and Suzanne Woodruff, Director of Choral Music and Performing Arts Department Chair at Woodward Academy, discuss the importance of repertoire. Later in the episode, we continue our conversation with Diane Linn, President and Executive Director of the Community Chorus of Detroit (CCD). She talks about building her ensemble’s repertoire, developing community partnerships, and much more. Listen to the full episode here: The Encast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, and Spotify, so please subscribe today! 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.
August 18, 2026 Encore Tours 7 Best International Band Trip Destinations for Student Musicians When a student performance tour is done well, it becomes much more than a trip. Backstage Blog
August 17, 2026 David Solar 2026 Summer Travel Recap Every summer, months of planning and rehearsal become something tangible: the first note in an unfamiliar room, a new audience gathering and an ensemble hearing its musi… Backstage Blog
August 12, 2026 Encore Tours What Happens Before Your Ensemble Takes the Stage? A performance may last an hour, but the work that makes it possible often begins months earlier. Backstage Blog Planning Your Tour