One of my greatest joys as an educator was coordinating performance tours for my school’s bands, choirs and orchestras. In 33 years of public-school teaching, I led 25 international and domestic tours. These opportunities expanded the classroom in ways that benefited my students for years to come.
In the realm of performance travel, the right partner is everything. Beyond simple logistics, an exceptional travel provider:
Understands and meets the goals and needs of their clients.
Leverages their connections and “pull” to create meaningful learning experiences.
This dual capacity is not a luxury, but a necessity, for student travel that’s not only safe and well-organized, but enriching and transformative.
Understanding and Meeting Goals and Needs
Performance tours are unique; they require a deep understanding of the history and goals of the group. A responsive travel provider listens closely to educators, aligning the itinerary with the curricular objectives.
For instance, an educator may have goals like performing in historically significant venues, engaging in workshops with top musicians, or exploring the cultural context of the music. A seasoned provider will tailor the trip, ensuring the experience supports the educational outcomes.
As an educator, I sought to help my students become more culturally aware of the communities we visited. Such was the case for a 2008 tour of Europe. Our travel provider, knowing we prioritized connections with the arts community, scheduled a concert in Wittenberg, Germany.
This was not a grand concert hall, but a modest theater with an uncommon history. Built in the 1920s, it was seized and converted to a Nazi headquarters during Hitler’s rule. Later, it became a state-run theater. In the 1980s, arts funding dwindled, and the theater fell on hard times. Shortly before our tour, it was purchased by a private individual, and re-opened with hopes of improving cultural offerings for the community.
Though Wittenberg faced high unemployment at the time, our concert was a ticketed event and a sell-out. Our students felt like superstars as loud applause segued into cheers for multiple encores.
But that was only part of the experience. Before the concert, we noticed a display in the theater recognizing the patrons of its renovation. Our travelers agreed we should contribute, and a hat was passed at dinner.
That evening, just before our final concert selection, we invited the owner on stage and announced our contribution of 500 euros. I will never forget the reaction of the audience. There was an audible gasp, and the owner beamed, with tears in her eyes. That night, as we shared our music with our final audience of the tour – an audience yearning for the arts to return to their corner of the world – our students felt the impact of giving of themselves, both musically and financially.
This experience could not have happened without our travel partner’s responsiveness to our larger goals. Performing at a small theater in Wittenberg may not have been the most-anticipated itinerary item before the tour began, but our students left with memories they’ll carry for a lifetime.
Leveraging Connections and “Pull” for Meaningful Learning Experiences
A provider with strong industry connections can orchestrate experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible. These connections are vital in arranging workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative performances with local artists and institutions.
For instance, a well-connected provider can facilitate a workshop with a renowned orchestra in Vienna or a jazz session with prominent musicians in New Orleans. Students gain valuable insights into musical traditions and practices, enriching their understanding and appreciation of their craft.
When my school planned a 2015 tour to New York, we selected a provider with a track record of facilitating performances at Carnegie Hall. Sure, we needed a link to a concert promoter who would ensure a sizable audience. But we also sought connections to composers and guest artists who would commit to being with us at Carnegie, as well as qualified educators who would work with our students. These finer points made a world of difference in the success of the tour.
An exceptional travel provider can also arrange tours of historical sites, interactions with local communities, and participation in cultural festivals. When an enhanced musical education meets a broader understanding of cultural and social issues, a transformative experience is bound to result.
Coda
High-quality travel experiences transform students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them, fostering personal and academic growth.
The importance of partnering with a top-notch travel provider cannot be overstated. By listening carefully to the needs of their clients and leveraging their connections, elite providers create experiences that go beyond the basics, creating profound learning opportunities and lifelong memories.
Brayer Teague recently retired from a 33-year career as a music teacher and fine arts department chairperson at Downers Grove North High School (IL). He’s now part of the team at Bob Rogers Travel.
BobRogersTravel.com
