Destinations

Austria is, quite simply, the land of music – Bruckner, Mozart and Schubert were all native Austrians, and their musical heritage pervades the cultural life of the country. Austria is also famous for its spectacular scenery, from the mountains of Tyrol to the lakes of the Salzkammergut. We have particularly good connections with the Stephansdom in Vienna and the Salzburger Dom for service participations and concerts.

The former Yugoslav republics of Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro offer a wondrous variety of cultures and landscapes as well as unique concert tour possibilities. 

Music, and particularly choral music, has played a central part in the history of all three Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It became an expression of defiance against Soviet domination in the 1980’s, when any nationalist tendencies were regarded as subversive, and music helped to unite the population. This cultural importance continues to this day, and visiting groups are very well received by appreciative audiences.

What’s not to like when touring Belgium? Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels and Bruges all have beautiful gothic churches and market squares surrounded by very tall houses. You can also enjoy famous Belgium beers and delicious food, which tastes especially good after a concert in one of those stunning cathedrals!

Famous for its deep tradition of choral music, Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage also has roots in traditional dance and crafts like pottery, textiles and painting.

Croatia offers a wide range of performance possibilities, with well-attended summer festivals and spectacular churches. Free time can be spent discovering ancient Roman ruins or simply soaking up the sun on the scenic Adriatic coast.

The Czech Republic has always been one of our most popular tour destinations. The elegant concert halls of marvelous Prague, laid-back spa towns, and beautiful countryside are all draws to this musically and culturally rich nation.

France offers beautiful and varied scenery, world-class art, fabulous cuisine and wine — and historically important concert venues in cities both large and small. Gothic Cathedrals abound, it’s a fantastic destination for any choir or orchestra, especially if there is a need for excellent organs.

Germany is a land of culture, castles, cathedrals and composers. With a long-established office in Berlin, we have made something of a specialty of eastern Germany, which has never lost its old-style respect for culture and music, and has benefited from a huge improvement in its infrastructure since reunification. Concerts in churches and halls are well attended with discerning audiences, and the once-neglected historic buildings and monuments have mostly been restored to their former glory. We have also planned tours to western Germany for a very long time, with excellent musical contacts in the Rhine Valley, Romantic Road and Bavaria.

For a group looking for something a little different, Greece makes an interesting destination. During the summer months, because of the heat, most concerts take place outdoors. However, the Greeks invented the science of acoustics, and many of the amphitheaters where performances take place have miraculous sound quality. And then, of course, there is the Apollon Theatre on the island of Syros, which is a perfect replica in miniature of La Scala Milan. Visiting the north for mountainous coastlines is another idea or, for a smaller ensemble, hop through the islands and add on a bit of Turkey!

Hungarians take music very seriously. The pedagogical methods of Kodaly alone are the basis for music education all over the world, and those fundamentals are evident in the high quality of music making today. The heritage of Liszt and Bartók is plain to see in the range and quality of concert venues and the audience’s sophistication. Fun fact: the Hungarian language is not Slavic, nor Romance, and in fact, it’s only relative is Finnish!  Egészségére!

Looking for a relaxed pace and a lot of fun? Ireland is for you. Never too hot, sometimes a little damp, but always warm in spirit, this is a destination that always feels like the scene of a great novel. Don’t be surprised if the entire village shows up to your concert in a quaint country church — or if you end the night in the local pub listening to the traditional music of fiddles and drums.

Apart from the obvious reasons to visit Italy, such as the architecture, museums, landscape, food and climate, Italy offers fantastic opportunities for performing groups of all kinds.

Visiting choirs are welcomed in many of the finest churches and cathedrals, both for concerts and mass participation opportunities. There is also a wide selection of summer festivals and concert series, from small villages to major international arts festivals such as Spoleto and Ravenna.

The Catholic churches are generally strict about the choice of repertoire, so it is advisable to bring a sacred a cappella repertoire, as very few churches have pianos, and organs can be of variable quality. Orchestral and band concerts during the summer tend to be outdoors, but usually with specially constructed and well-equipped open-air stages.

Friendly people, lovely countryside and the wide use of English as a second language make and the Netherlands an attractive destination, particularly for first-time tour goers. Our exclusive representative for this area has unrivaled access to a wealth of significant venues, including the major cathedrals.

Once devastated by war, Poland’s cities have been painstakingly reconstructed, and their central squares are among the finest in Europe. Exchange opportunities are plentiful thanks to numerous choral and instrumental ensembles. Care needs to be taken choosing repertoire for performances in churches as there are rigid guidelines, which can restrict programs to sacred music. There are also excellent opportunities for youth orchestras to perform in Poland’s major concert halls.

With a wealth of performance opportunities and a number of summer music festivals, Portugal delights both musically and culturally, with Roman ruins, seaside villages, and the exquisite architecture of Lisbon.

For the group that wants a new and different experience, Romania is hard to beat. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but the welcome that is given to visiting choirs and orchestras is truly remarkable. Picturesque Transylvania holds special cultural interest, as home of the legend of Dracula – as well as a jazz concert series. Our exclusive representative in Bucharest has opened doors for us all over the country, from Cluj in the west to Sibiu, Brasov and Bucharest itself. 

Scandinavia’s major churches have excellent organs, pianos and sound equipment, and they are very flexible about repertoire. Many concert halls, even in the major cities, are open to presenting amateur ensembles. 

Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm boast countless sights and attractions, but, as so often is the case, the most memorable concert opportunities can be found in the smaller towns and cities, such as Århus, Bergen, Karlstad, Örebro and Nora, and even further off the beaten track, in the Dalarna cities of Mora, Leksand and Rättvik, where we have collaborated with the Midsummer Festival many times over the years.

Slovakia is a modern European nation with a rich folk tradition, and is a microcosm of Bohemian and Roman sophisticated living. Thanks to its position at the heart of Central Europe, Slovakia can be easily combined with its neighboring countries on a tour.

Slovenia’s alpine terrain provides for a unique climate, and Lake Bled, home of the Bled International Music Festival, is a prime concert tourist destination.

World-class art museums, delightful gastronomy, diverse landscapes: Spain has it all in spades. It also has sophisticated audiences who pack into stunning venues, which make it an incredibly popular choice for concert tours, especially for choirs with sacred programs or orchestras looking for wonderful halls. Visit one of the major cities, or one of the lesser-known areas: Wander around the Alhambra’s shady courtyards in the South, perhaps, or walk a short segment of the verdant Camino de Santiago in the North.

Switzerland is a paradise for lovers of skiing, hiking and chocolate, but it also has its own unique musical culture in the famous festivals of Lucerne, Verbier, and Montreux Jazz.

Quite literally bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, Turkey has been home to some of the world’s greatest civilizations. Music has always played an important role in its culture, and performance opportunities abound.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are home to a multilingual, cosmopolitan population with well-established and emergent musical institutions and contacts. A plethora of music festivals and venues welcome ensembles.