How to Use Our Repertoire Library to Plan Your Next Tour Setlist

When planning an international concert tour, choosing the right repertoire is one of the most important artistic decisions a music director can make. Your program needs to reflect the strengths of your ensemble, resonate with local audiences, and suit the acoustics and atmosphere of each venue. That can be a tall order, especially when touring unfamiliar locations.

That is why we created the Encore Repertoire Library, a free and easy-to-use database that showcases actual pieces performed by real ensembles on past Encore tours. With hundreds of entries and powerful filters by ensemble type, venue, country, and more, it is the perfect resource for directors looking to craft thoughtful, venue-appropriate programs that will make a lasting impression.

What Is the Repertoire Library?

The Encore Repertoire Library is a searchable archive of real-world setlists performed by bands, choirs, and orchestras during their international concert tours. Whether your group is performing in a cathedral in Vienna, a community center in Peru, or a prestigious concert hall in Prague, you will find examples of successful programming from directors who have been there before.

Each listing includes:

• Ensemble type
• Venue name and country
• Year of performance
• Selected repertoire performed at that venue

By studying these entries, you can gain valuable insight into what works musically in specific contexts and what might not work.

How to Use the Library in Your Planning Process

1. Filter by Ensemble Type and Destination

Start by selecting the type of group you are traveling with: choir, orchestra, band, or jazz ensemble. Then, filter by destination. For example, if you are leading a high school choir touring Italy, you can instantly view programs from other choirs who performed in Florence, Assisi, or Rome.

Example:
A search for “choir” plus “Italy” reveals past performances at St. Peter’s Basilica, Santa Croce, and Scuola Grande di San Rocco, with programs featuring works by Palestrina, Bruckner, and modern American composers.

2. Discover Repertoire Matched to Specific Venues

Not all performance spaces are created equal. A resonant church requires different textures than an outdoor amphitheater. One of the most valuable features of the Repertoire Library is the ability to search by venue name, which allows you to see exactly what works in iconic locations such as:

• Thomaskirche in Leipzig, associated with J.S. Bach
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, suited for sacred choral works
• Auditorio Manuel de Falla in Granada, designed for full orchestral repertoire

Understanding how music responds in a given space can help you craft a program that feels appropriate, inspiring, and professional.

3. Build a Balanced, Proven Setlist

Browsing actual programs can spark ideas and help you build a well-rounded concert experience. Directors often include a mix of:

• Local or culturally relevant works
• American standards or contemporary compositions
• Audience-friendly repertoire for broad appeal
• More challenging works for festival or featured performances

The library’s examples allow you to reverse-engineer a tour program that balances artistic ambition with logistical practicality.

Example:
An orchestra performing in Estonia included Sibelius, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and a suite of Baltic folk arrangements, creating an engaging mix of familiar and locally inspired music.

4. Save Time and Reduce Uncertainty

Programming for unfamiliar venues in foreign countries can be time-consuming and stressful. The Encore Repertoire Library gives you a head start. You are not starting from scratch, but building on the experience of directors who have successfully navigated the same process.

This can also help with:

• Gaining venue approval more quickly (some churches require sacred repertoire)
• Anticipating instrumentation needs in different acoustic settings
• Collaborating with local choirs or orchestras based on proven program pairings

Who Should Use the Repertoire Library?

This tool is ideal for:

• Choir, orchestra, and band directors planning international tours
• Church music directors organizing sacred concert trips
• University ensembles researching venue-appropriate programming
• Newer directors seeking guidance and inspiration from past Encore tours

Whether you are preparing for a performance in Salzburg or San José, the library offers clear examples to help guide your decisions.

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Ready to Explore?

The Encore Repertoire Library is constantly growing, with new entries published regularly from our most recent tours. Explore what other ensembles have performed in your target destinations and use that inspiration to design a concert tour your performers and audiences will remember.