Earlier this month, we announced the debut of our new podcast series, Encast. Through this series, we hoped to travel the world, discover the story behind the world’s most successful ensembles, and help provide directors with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive. In our first episode, we sat down with Diane Linn, President and Executive Director of the Community Chorus of Detroit (CCD), to learn about how she was able to build an ensemble from scratch, develop a unique repertoire, and become an integral part of her local community. In this week’s finale, Diane details her first interactions with Encore Tours and provides valuable insight into how the CCD’s experience with international performance tours helped the ensemble set goals, build excitement, and inspire a sense of purpose in the ensemble members. Listen to Part 3 Listen to the full episode – Community Chorus of Detroit The Encast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, and Spotify, so please subscribe today. Have you enjoyed listening to the Encast? Please let us know with 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.
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