It’s official! Travel is back, and we couldn’t be more excited. Back in November, Encore hosted Prelude, our annual professional development weekend for ensemble directors, which takes place each year in a musically significant international destination. This event took place in Budapest, Hungary, and included an organ concert at Matthias Church, a private event at the Liszt Academy, an evening concert by the St. Istvan Philharmonic Orchestra in the Grand Hall, a guided tour of the Hungarian Parliament building, an equestrian show at Lazar Equestrian Park, visits to concert venues for touring ensembles, and so much more. It was amazing to rekindle relationships with our fabulous directors in a country with such a rich musical heritage. Encore staff, directors, and their guests came home reinvigorated and inspired by this wonderful weekend as we all looked forward to our next adventure. Last month, those adventures began again in earnest, with David Hamilton and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities leading the way. Traveling with their orchestra, choir, brass, and humanities groups, the school enjoyed five wonderful concerts in Italy, including performances in Venice, Florence, and Rome. With new safety protocols in place and peace of mind policies like our Worry-Free guarantee, this is the perfect time to start planning your next tour! We have all been missing the bonds formed through travel, and we can’t wait to see you back on the road! In the meantime, we have groups slated to travel throughout the year, so be sure to follow @encoretours on Instagram to see real-time updates from our overseas groups! Inspired to take your ensemble on an international performance tour? Get a quote today!
February 4, 2026 David Solar ETIAS Explained: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know for Europe in 2026 If you’re planning a performance tour to Europe in 2026 or beyond, you may start hearing more about ETIAS. ETIAS for U.S. Backstage Blog Get Ready To Travel
February 3, 2026 David Solar Prelude 2026 in Rome: Inside Encore’s Signature Director Weekend Over MLK weekend, Encore welcomed music directors from across the country to Prelude 2026 in Rome. Backstage Blog
February 2, 2026 Encore Tours What an Encore Tour Proposal Includes (and How to Use It) Planning an international performance tour involves many moving parts. The proposal is where those pieces begin to come together. Backstage Blog Planning Your Tour