A baton is more than just a stick with a handle; it is a conductor’s instrument. On Thursday, June 24, 2011, we sat down with Phil Aguglia, a renowned band teacher and owner of PaGu Batons, the leader in custom, handmade conducting batons. Alongside host Jon Linker, we explored the evolution of batons, learned all about Phil’s quest to create the perfect baton, and took a tour around his workshop to learn more about the production process. Phil discussed the most important factors to consider when selecting a baton, why it’s crucial to have the proper fit, and shared some of his favorite stories from decades of creating customized batons for some of the world’s most prestigious conductors. Watch Encore Live: Finding Your Perfect Baton We hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Encore Live. Although we do not have any upcoming events planned at this time, we are constantly looking for interesting new topics to cover, so please check out our upcoming schedule for the latest updates on all of our Encore Live events. Our new policy enhancements, like the Worry-Free Guarantee, make it easier than ever to register for a 2022 tour! Interested in learning more? Contact us to speak directly with one of our Tour Consultants.
May 12, 2026 David Solar Join Us at the 2026 Chorus America Conference We’re excited to be heading to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 2026 Chorus America Conference, taking place June 3–6, 2026. Backstage Blog
May 12, 2026 David Solar Join us at the 2026 League of American Orchestras Conference We’re excited to be heading to the 2026 League of American Orchestras National Conference in Baltimore, taking place June 1–3, with pre-conference sessions beginning May 31. Backstage Blog
May 4, 2026 Encore Tours How to Customize Your Boston Symphony Hall Experience There are certain stages that change how students think about performing, and Boston Symphony Hall is one of them. Backstage Blog