Encore Tours is the performance travel division of ACIS, the leader in student travel. Encore organizes performance tours for all types of music programs, including choirs, marching bands, concert bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and many others. We also offer several incredible alternatives for both small groups and individual travelers.We believe that successful music programs and great music travel go hand in hand, and we customize each tour to create the perfect balance between rehearsals, performances, and sightseeing. Over our 30 years of operations, we have built a vast worldwide network, which means we can offer groups the opportunity to play in historic concert halls and provide behind-the-scenes access to many of the most popular tourist destinations.In addition to the local support you’ll receive from our offices in London, Paris, Madrid, and Rome, Encore provides 24-hour access to our US staff while your group is traveling. We know that teachers have a lot on their plates, and they need a partner to help craft their perfect musical journey. You need the support of a dedicated student music group travel company, and we will thoughtfully and meticulously design every part of your trip to ensure that your vision of the perfect trip is a reality. Why Encore? Why do music directors across the country choose Encore Tours to plan their band, choir, and orchestra trips? Hear what some of our directors have to say! Benefits for Directors Qualifying group leaders are invited to Prelude — Encore’s professional development weekend for ensemble directors, which takes place each year in a musically significant destination. International groups with 30+ travelers receive Encore’s Fabulous Fundraiser — a free 5-day trip to Paris or London. This is a fantastic tool for fundraising! Our Basic Protection Plan is included for all travelers on an Encore program. For additional coverage, our Ultimate and Ultimate-Plus plans provide increased on-tour coverage plus the ability to cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. f you choose to extend your trip, we will book a later flight from any major gateway and waive your return fee. Cash Rewards & Stipends Referral program offering up to $2,000 in cash or travel scholarships Graduate-Level professional development credits are available for all educators on our trips. Guaranteed Land Rates Directors and Assistants Travel FREE, including single accommodations at no additional cost Dynamic Venues Encore’s strong ties with arts, civic and religious organizations around the world give you access to any type of venue you can imagine; from prestigious concert halls to stunning cathedrals to festivals and outdoor venues. Take a look at some of our featured venues, or search through our larger catalogue. Choir Mozarteum, Great Hall Salzburg The concert hall is located under the gaze of the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, a school specializing in the arts. It is suitable for choirs and orchestras and features a new 50 stop tracker action organ, installed in 2010! Take a virtual tour. Band Orchestra Musikverein Vienna The Musikverein is one of the most prestigious classical performance venues in the world. The globally-esteemed acoustics and architectural grandeur make the ‘Great Hall’ an unparalleled location for a classical concert. The Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, has an impressive calendar of classical events. It would be a true honor for any classical performer to play here. Band Choir Orchestra Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal Montreal Located in Old Montreal, The Notre Dame Basilica’s Gothic exterior faces the Place d’ Armes square. Upon entry, visitors are stunned by the colorful and intricate designs found on the ceiling and walls which depict scenes of Montreal’s religious history. Musical programming includes regular choral and organ performances; perhaps your group is next! Band Choir Orchestra Shanghai Conservatory of Music Shanghai Founded in 1927, this award-winning conservatory, often named ‘cradle of musicians’, was the first music institution of higher education in China. This school places theory, creation, teaching and performing of western music combined with traditional Chinese music as its top priority with emphasis on preparing students for a professional music career. This is the perfect place for a local exchange or perhaps a workshop on traditional Chinese styles of music. Band Choir Orchestra Rudolfinum Prague This beautiful Neo-Renaissance Hall in the heart of Prague is one of the oldest concert halls in Europe. Built in the late 1800’s, the structure contributed greatly to the development of Czechoslovakia as it housed the seat of the state parliment during the world wars. Today it is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, many classical concerts, and is one of the main venues of the Prague Spring International Music Festival. It’s excellent acoustics make it a wonderful venue for symphony orchestras. Show All 15 Venues Show Less Band Choir Orchestra Smetana Hall Prague Named after the late Romantic composer, Bed’ich Smetana, this stunning Art Nouveau building was designed by noted architects of the era Osvald Poivka and Antonin Balsanek. Both architects worked hard to perfect the venues excellent acoustics. Smetana Hall’s impressive program of events throughout the year include the world-famous Prague Spring Festival. This is a truly exceptional setting for any classical performance! Orchestra Château de Chambord Loire Valley This sprawling creation commissioned by Francois I, towering over its deer-filled park, is one of the most recognized châteaux in the world. Featured in the building are works from collections of the Louvre and Compiegne, admired by nearly a million visitors each year. With guaranteed audiences any day, this is a top performance spot in the Loire Valley Choir L’Église de la Madeleine Paris La Madeleine is a prestigious performance venue in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. This Roman Catholic church was built in true Neo-Classical style inspired by the Roman temple Maison Carrée with over fifty columns carrying the building. The church’s pipe organ was built in 1845, restored in 1927 and the organist position has been held by major organists/composers, Saint-Saëns and Fauré to name a few! We hope your group can be one of the select ensembles to have the opportunity to perform here! Choir St. Thomas Church Leipzig St. Thomas has been a place of worship for historical figures such as Martin Luther, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and of course, Bach. In fact, Bach was choirmaster at this church for 27 years. Today, this church acts as his final resting place. Although the works he created during his time in Leipzig commanded little attention in his lifetime, they are an important part of his journey to greatness. Dive into the world of Bach and have the chance to perform in a place he once considered home. Choir Matthias Church Budapest Matthias Church, first dating back to 1015, is a Roman Catholic church located in the Holy Trinity Square, Budapest, Hungary, in front of the Fisherman’s Bastion at the heart of Buda’s Castle District. The church has a breathtaking interior with colors inspired by orientalism and romantic historicism. Its mystical atmosphere paired with its Neo-Gothic features differentiates it from any other church in Budapest. Band Choir Orchestra Christ Church Cathedral Dublin Situated in medieval Dublin, Christ Church is not only the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishops but is also the seat of the Church of Ireland. Founded around 1028 the cathedral was rebuilt and renovated many times throughout history and is now accented by flying buttresses, high arching stone ceilings, and, most notably, the Grand Organ which appears to be floating in the air! The Cathedral is home to one of the most reputable choirs in Ireland whose origins trace back to 1493 when the choir school was founded. Choir St. Peter’s Basilica Rome Charged as being “the greatest of all churches of Christendom,” St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, is nearly 400 years old and possesses a wealth of history, culture, and art. Adorned with works of famous Italian Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, St. Peter’s is a popular site not only for Christians, but for historians and tourists alike. Not only have Encore groups had the opportunity to explore such a remarkable sight, but some have also performed for the Pope himself! Band Choir Orchestra Bojnice Castle Central and Eastern Slovakia Bojnice Castle is Slovakia’s best-known fairy-tale castle, frequently used as a film set and a wedding venue. The first written record of its existence dates from 1113, though today’s neo-Gothic remodeling dates from the early 20th century. The castle park is home to a zoological garden. Choral and chamber concerts are regularly held in the castle’s historic Hunyadi Hall. Band Choir Orchestra Auditorio Nacional de Madrid Madrid This symphonic hall was built in the early 80’s and has over 2,300 seats and a reverb time of two second. The annual program starts in September and runs through May and is open to both visiting ensembles wishing to attend a performance or perform in the hall themselves! Choir Southwark Cathedral London On the River Thames lies the Gothic Southwark Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. The venue is suitable for both choirs and orchestras wishing to perform a concert or within a church service. To perform in this venue, your ensemble must be approved in advance! Customize Your Tour Are you ready to take your ensemble to new places? Get a quote from one of our tour consultants who will help you customize a trip to meet your goals. Get A Quote