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.
June 25, 2026 Encore Tours Venue Spotlight: Southwark Cathedral Welcome back to our Venue Spotlight series, where we explore some of the most inspiring performance spaces available to Encore group leaders around the world. Backstage Blog
June 17, 2026 David Solar Join us at the 2026 National Pastoral Musicians Convention We’re excited to share that we’ll be attending the 2026 National Pastoral Musicians Convention, taking place July 19-24, 2026, at The Catholic University of America … Backstage Blog
June 15, 2026 Encore Tours Your Ensemble Deserves a Travel Partner Who Knows You For many ensemble directors, the idea of a performance tour is exciting. The planning, however, can feel overwhelming. Backstage Blog