January 27, 2026 Encore Tours How an Encore Performance Tour Works: From Planning to Final Concert Planning an international performance tour can feel very different depending on where you are starting. Some directors are organizing their first trip overseas. Backstage Blog Featured Resources Planning Your Tour Learn More
December 11, 2025 Encore Tours Announcing the 2026 Encore Crescendo Contest Backstage Blog Learn More
October 14, 2025 Encore Tours Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection: Why Encore Travelers Choose to Upgrade Backstage Blog Featured Resources Learn More
December 3, 2015 Melody Potratz Setting Up a Middle School Choir Classroom From Scratch We are pleased to introduce our new guest blogger, Melody Potratz, as part of our First Year Teacher Series. Ms. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
December 1, 2015 Tori Cook 5 Ways to Support Music Education Programs This #GivingTuesday It’s #GivingTuesday and a great day to support music education programs across the country. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
November 24, 2015 Jon Linker 10 Things Band Directors Can Be Thankful For Last Thanksgiving, you liked our blog “11 Things a Choir Director Can Be Thankful For” so much, that we decided to let the band directors get in on the fun too. Backstage Blog
November 16, 2015 Peter Jones Paris: Our Thoughts & Updated Policies We all watched in horror and disbelief as the events unfolded in Paris recently. Many of us travel to Paris frequently. We have an office there. We enjoy the people, the history, and the culture. Backstage Blog
November 13, 2015 Tori Cook The Best of Music City As one of the only U.S. cities where you can hear live music 24/7, 365 days of the year, it’s no wonder Nashville has earned the nickname “Music City. Backstage Blog
November 4, 2015 Jon Linker Band Director Spotlight: Phil Aguglia – Thinking Outside the Box with 130 Students Band Director Spotlight Series: Meet fellow band directors while they share their experiences, advice and tips for teaching band. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
October 27, 2015 Tori Cook 15 Lesson Plans – Teaching the National Core Music Standards through Music Travel (Lesson 5) STANDARD: MU:Pr4.1.E. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
October 23, 2015 Maggie Rodriguez Why the Arts Matter Today is #ArtsMatter Day in Massachusetts! To celebrate, Encore Tours staff shared their thoughts on why the arts ma… Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
October 16, 2015 Tori Cook 15 Lesson Plans – Teaching the National Core Music Standards through Music Travel (Lesson 4) STANDARD: MU:Cr3.2.E.Ia Share personally developed melodies, rhythmic passages, and arrangements – individually or as an ensemble – that address identified purposes. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources