Every music program relies on its budding young musicians, and a director’s future success is greatly influenced by their ability to attract top talent. We have also seen that establishing a performance tour tradition is one of the most effective recruitment tools for music departments, as it generates excitement, brings people closer together, and enhances your ensemble’s reputation in the community. Perhaps that’s why our average repeat group was 23.3% larger than the average new group Unfortunately, relying solely on a flier or announcement is not an effective recruitment strategy for your performance tour. For youth groups, it’s particularly unlikely that ensemble members will sign up for a tour on their own; they require some guidance. But don’t worry, the team at Encore has your back! We recently published a new eBook that’s filled with useful strategies for planning your next recruitment meeting, including specific suggestions based on your trip’s destination. Whether you’re heading to China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or a host of other destinations, we have compiled a list of classroom activities that will help generate excitement for your upcoming tour. Our eBook covers everything from the tour reveal to the fundraising plan, publicity preparations, and your final pre-departure meeting. We have also compiled some of our favorite recruitment tips, many of which were shared by our most loyal group leaders! If you’ve ever wanted to take your ensemble on a performance tour but don’t know where to start, this eBook is a great resource! Want to learn more about planning your next recruitment meeting? Download our free recruitment meeting guide with dozens of wonderful ideas to help excite and inspire! To start planning your own performance tour or to learn more about the unique benefits available to Encore Group Leaders, schedule a call with one of our dedicated Tour Consultants.
September 30, 2026 David Solar Help Shape Encore’s U.S. Tours (and Win $250 for Your Program) Every performance tour starts with a director’s goals. For some ensembles, it’s the chance to perform in a legendary hall. Backstage Blog Music Educator Resources
September 22, 2026 Encore Tours Taking Your Orchestra on Tour: Watch the Webinar Recording Planning a first orchestra tour, or wondering how to make the case for one, is rarely as simple as picking a destination. Backstage Blog
September 15, 2026 Encore Tours What Is Music Appreciation Travel? For many musicians, performing in a new city is the centerpiece of traveling with an ensemble, and for good reason. Backstage Blog