Testimonials

I wouldn't consider travelling with anyone but Kingsway. Their attention to detail and accommodation of special requests is extraordinary. KI's creation and coordination of events bringing several choirs together to sing choral masterpieces in historic settings under the leadership of renowned conductors provides an invaluable service for the musical development of choral groups. These trips, with their combination of musical inspiration, cultural exploration, personal discovery, and community-building experiences have been life-changing events for our students. As an educator, I can't think of any more worthwhile endeavor. This was an outstanding experience. It was wonderful to have Oliver, Michael, Kathy and other KI representatives with us - all great people! Simon Carrington was a real inspiration. He was tough, but exemplified the characteristics of an outstanding educator, challenging each and every singer, regardless of their ability, to give more than they thought they could, and moreover, to want to give more.

- Terese Gemme, Southern Connecticut State University Choir, England, 2011-12

I would highly recommend KIconcerts to any musical group travelling abroad for a memorable experience and a quality tour.

- Paul Foster Jr., Director, TAMIU Chorale & Laredo Philharmonic Chorale, England, 2011-12

I would recommend KI Concerts to any potential traveler or colleague without hesitation. The quality and care that your company puts into EVERY detail is evident from the moment planning begins and doesn't conclude until well after the group safely returns home. I can't imagine a better combination of concert venues…acoustics…and huge audiences. I have never experienced with any other travel company the consistently high quality in every aspect of performance. To walk into the central square of a town and to see your posters everywhere…every church door and window…flyers being handed out to passers by…I can't begin to tell you how impressive and important that is to a conductor and choir. A tour can be wonderful to any destination but without the musical successes of a well-planned concert, workshop or exchange…it is all for nothing. KI Concerts absolutely knows how to do the job right and it is not an accident that our choir has returned from Sicily talking first and foremost about the musical experiences we had. Thank you and congratulations!! Thank you to Kathy, Michael, Oliver, Susan, Claudia and all the other staffers who professionally saw this tour come to its successful conclusion. We couldn't have done it without the efforts of each of you! Onward to our next adventure…

- Kevin Meidl, Appleton West High School, Sicily, 2011-12

I am grateful for the opportunity to have collaborated with your dedicated team here in the states and in Italy. The trip was wonderful and the music-making was priceless.

- Susan Jensen, Tour Coordinator, Fresno Community Chorus, Italy, 2011

We are still reeling from the wonderful trip to South Africa!! We had the best time!! Thanks so much to you and your incredible team!!!

- Cheryl Sims, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Florida, South Africa, 2011

I am willing to recommend KI concerts to any school or group interested in a first-rate international tour. Our Italian adventure was wonderful beyond words and a life-enhancing experience for all of our travelers. Thank you!

- Kevin Meidl, The Badger State Girl Choir, Italy, 2011

In 2008, I traveled with my choir, parents, friends and staff to Shanghai and Beijing in the republic of China. We departed from the east coast of the United States. In total, we had 307 travelers on a ten day excursion. There were three different flight groups, eight buses, and a ton of luggage! From my very first encounter with KI, before we even signed a contract, I was impressed by their professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to the customer. We had many expectations that went beyond the "packaged" tour. In every way, KI, bent over backwards to ensure that our needs were met. The arrangements for flights, hotels, meals, and sightseeing ran without any difficulties. KI puts an emphasis on the performance so that each tour is not an extended vacation for the students. That being said, there was enough balance so that everyone enjoyed their time. KI's staff are helpful, responsive and accurate. You cannot ask for more than that when dealing with a travel company. Even though I am at a new school I am using KI to prepare our 75th anniversary tour to Florence and Rome Italy in 2013.

- W. Edward McCall, Council Rock High School North, China, 2008

My touring experience has been to Great Britain, Austria and France, Canada, and New York and Washington D.C. twice, none with KI Concerts. In 2009, our choir was given the go ahead to travel to Ireland. Since we are from a Christian school who takes yearly mission trips to Islands and South American countries, Ireland was a destination that our Mission group wanted to also experience. So we created the first of its kind; a Choir/Mission trip. KI had to work with me the Choir Director, and the Missions Director at our school. That had to have been difficult for them as the two of us had a common goal but different ways to reach it. We through all kinds of hardballs and softballs at KI and they always responded with professionalism and grace. I always felt and saw that they would go above and beyond to serve this group. We had over 200 people, 5 planes, 5 coaches and multiple destinations per day. They kept our schedule, they enhanced our schedule and they inspired all of us with their 24/7 attitude of “whatever it takes.” My next 20 trips will be with KI. If I can dream it, they can deliver it! Their group of high quality tour guides are passionate about giving each group what they want and need. Communication is a two way street, and when the client and the company are dedicated to this communication, the tour that is provided for the students will never be forgotten. And isn’t that why we tour? To enrich the lives of our students.

- Ann Smith, Director of Choirs-Liberty Christian School, Ireland, 2011

KI Concerts does an excellent job! I will use this company again and again. They are professional, knowledgeable, efficient, accommodating and personable. It can be a daunting task to consider taking young people out of the country. KI makes it easy and manageable. More importantly, with KI Concerts, I am confident that my students will have a positive cultural, musical and fun experience. With KI Concerts, I have confidence that the memories will be lifelong treasures!

- Mary Theresa Reed, Evanston Township H.S. Concert Choir, Greece, 2011

KIconcerts does not provide cardboard tour itineraries to every customer. With experience and integrity on their side, they listen and create a tailor-made tour to fit the needs of your music ensemble.

- Mark Johnston, Minnesota Boychoir, Italy, 2011

The rehearsal and performance venues on this tour were no less than outstanding.

- Charlie Cassady, Council Rock South High School Orchestra, France, Monaco, 2011

The adjustment after an event like the tour is always such a struggle. Jet lag, exhaustion, etc. It is so nice to be able to look back and have no regrets whatsoever about the entire thing. Everyone was very, very happy with the tour and as always I enjoyed working with all of you so much. Thanks for making such great choices for us all along the way. It was a fantastic trip, and of course I am very relieved that we did not musically embarrass ourselves all over Italy.

- Bill Liberatore, Henry M. Gunn High School Choir, Italy, 2011

KIconcerts provided a quality performance tour. We had excellent venues, performances, accommodations and meals with a well-paced itinerary. We will use KI for our next international trip!

- Sarah Harrison, Cherry Creek High School Meistersingers, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, 2011

Thank you for arranging a magnificent concert tour! The preparations with regards to musical workshops, performances, venues, etc. was absolutely first rate on the part of KI Concerts. The three days of workshops, concerts and exchanges were perfectly arranged. We enjoyed large audiences, appropriate venues, and diverse musical experiences. As a professional conductor I couldn't wish for anything more! I felt like we were in great hands at all times! This tour was amazing and I would rate it as an A+. I would do it all over again!! These sorts of things don't happen by accident. Only a highly trained and dedicated staff makes such a tour happen. Our best interests and desires were always put at the forefront of Susan's thinking and the rest of the team. I appreciate this more than you know. We are all in your debt and look forward to the next tour with KI Concerts. On behalf of the Appleton Boychoir organization….THANK YOU!!!!!

- Kevin Meidl, The Appleton Boychoir, South Africa, 2011

Our Costa Rica tour struck the perfect balance between great singing venues and amazing natural beauties. Singing a concert is one thing: singing one after having spent one's morning swimming next to a waterfall and one's afternoon on the hanging bridges in a rainforest is quite another. An unparalleled and unforgettable educational experience for our students! We intend to do this tour again in a few years. This was the best, most educational, and most memorable choir tour I have been on as either chorister or director.

- Ian Loeppky, University of North Alabama Chamber Choir, Costa Rica, 2011

I so appreciated the exchange with other choirs. It was such a rich experience. We really enjoyed all the local cuisine. We tried all the local dishes…and were glad we had that opportunity. All Hotels were an interesting adventure… we enjoyed all the differences.

- Cassie Gillis, Bremerton High School, Ireland, Scotland, 2011

The Calgary Girls Choir 2010 concert tour to Italy was a one of the best tours we have ever taken. Our choir has traveled extensively in the past and we all felt that the venues, audiences, guides, arrangements and cultural aspects of the tour were outstanding. The concert venues were stunning and singing Sunday Mass at the Vatican was an experience none of us will ever forget. Thank you so much to KI and Oliver Scofield for their care and attention to detail. Managing 57 singers, their chaperons, and our staff was no easy task but in the end everyone was thrilled with the experience and would happily do it again! Gracie!

- Elaine Quilichini, Calgary Girls Choir, Italy, 2010

KI came highly recommended and exceeded expectations. The office staff was supportive and helpful in all of the administrative details. With the ensemble on its first overseas tour, KI personnel took care of our needs and prepared us very well. The people of KI made all the difference. Oliver is masterful at putting people at ease and at being the head of a production team that crafted a marvelous experience for us. The tour was beautifully produced. Scott, our tour guide, was the single most important person for us while we were in-country. He, and the local team, made it seem effortless for us.

- Dana Rothlisberger, Towson University Band, China, 2010

The Marching Koalas had a tour packed full of exciting concert opportunities as well as a blend of cultural experiences that have left all of its members with lifetime memories of the visit to China and World Expo.

- Geoff Lynch, Director, Marching Koalas, China, 2010

Thanks for a great tour!

- Dr. Peter J. Durow, Stetson University Choral Union, China, 2010

The trip was spectacular, and your staff was fabulous. Kathy, Eric and Scott (and company) were extremely organized, helpful and warm. I can't imagine a better trip. The musical venues were outstanding, especially the concert hall at the Forbidden City and the Oriental Arts Centre. The guides were very well informed and they cared for us very well. Performing in China was a profound experience in every way.

- Dr. Kenny Sheppard, Southwestern University, China, 2010

KI Concerts and their people are both extremely experienced and well-connected in the field of international ensemble touring. They are tremendously good at what they do. I will be using them again very soon, and would recommend their services to all of my collegiate choral colleagues.

- Dr. Erin Colwitz, University of Alabama Huntsville, Italy, 2010

How many superlatives can I use to describe our trip to Switzerland? It was the most fabulous that I have experienced with the Irving Chorale and I have made them all since 1994. The care and personal attention to detail that your whole team gave us was exceptional. We were so pleased that Oliver was at the airport in Zurich to greet us personally. Everything went exactly as planned with no detail left to chance and we were so excited about your promotinal pieces. The marvelous venus of the Jesuitenkirke in Lucerne and the Catherdral St. Piere in Geneva were beyond expectation. Our hotels were superb as were the meals. You truly did plan a trip for our small group (ranging from 44 to 79 years of age) that met our every wish. A thousand thanks for this truly unforgettable, truly customized tour. I would encourage all music groups to get on board with KI for the best experience possible. We will be calling you for our next overseas tour!!

- Judy Garza, Irving Chorale, Irving, Texas, Switzerland, 2010

What a wonderful tour KI Concerts arranged. From the beginning of the planning until after our return home it was absolutely first-rate. The value of what we received musically and culturally was far beyond what we experience on most tours with most companies. Perhaps the most significant part of the itinerary was our independent concert in Bristol Cathedal. Along with two other ensembles we performed a solo slot on the concert. It turned out to be one of the more memorable concerts in my career. This was due to the exceptional acoustics and beauty of the sanctuary...AND the absolutely full, standing room only, audience that was so enthusiastic. We came away from that performance and the Messiah performance in London with a real high. Celebrating New Years in London was also a great deal of fun and different...fireworks over the Thames is an experience most people could only dream about. We did that and so much more with KI Concerts. I would recommend the England Festival tour during the holiday season and KI Concerts to any conductor looking for a wonderful musical and cultural experience.

- Dr. Kevin Meidl, Appleton West High School - Kantorei, England, 2009/10

KI is a wonderful organization and I can't wait until we can organize another international trip!

- Matt Heist, Instrumental Music, Broadneck High School, Italy, 2010

Faced with flight cancellations caused by clouds of volcanic ash, KI worked a miracle by getting us all to our destination only one day late, and then arranging an additional day at the end of the tour to give us the same amount of ground time. There is no doubt that I will book our next tour with KI.

- Alfred R. de Jaager, West Liberty University, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, 2010

I was very impressed with the whole planning process of our trip. The staff was extremely helpful and was always quick to respond to all questions. For the price of the trip we all thought everything was first class. I will definitely use Kingsway in the future for all of my choir's travels. Patricia was a wonderful tour guide and made the trip so memorable for us. We all had tears in our eyes when it was time to say goodbye to one another.

- Frederick Strassburger, St. Peter Claver Adult Choir, Italy, 2010

The audiences in China are the most enthusiastic I've ever encountered - they even wanted pictures & autographs from the students after the shows?!?!?! KI planned a truly spectacular trip for us - they're 2 for 2 with me now.

- Dr. Ethan Sperry, Miami University, China, 2010

Our recent tour to Italy was by far one of the highlights of my career and a highlight of my choir's. I don't know that there is anything called a "perfect choir tour" especially in a foreign country, but KI Concert came as close as possible. Everything on the tour was simply perfect. From the hotels, to the meals, to sight-seeing, and the concerts; every detail was taken care of and every effort was made for my group to enjoy their brief time in each city of the tour.

- Gary Gerber, Ouachita Baptist University, Classic Italy tour, 2010

I give KI Concerts my highest recommendation for your tour. We recently returned from a tour of Northern Italy with our High School Music program and 40 adult participants (122 persons total). I, too, have worked with 2 other tour companies and KI Concerts outperformed those companies five-fold. KI Concerts was recommended to us by a neighboring high school music director as his preferred tour company. During the planning process, I was very impressed with KI Concerts' shared enthusiasm for our adventure, their sensitivity to our trip objectives, and their solid relations with colleagues in the regions we would be touring. I was appreciative that the staff would answer my email inquiries within a few hours--and often I would receive an instant response. Oliver and his staff are courteous, detail-oriented people and they anticipated all of our needs during the trip. KI Concerts strives for excellence in every aspect of their custom tours. KI Concerts coordinated 3 performances for us in Padua, Lucca, and Rome. Our venues were beautiful, historic, and memorable and our audiences were enthusiastic and appreciative.

- Carolyn Dufort, Los Gatos High School, Italy, 2010

This was truly one of the best tours ever. The girls can't stop talking about it.

- Julia Fahey, Partners in Praise, Greece, 2009

Last spring, we went with KIconcerts to Italy and honestly, it was the best experience we have had. To perform in some of the huge churches and cathedrals ...there is nothing to compare that experience within the USA. We were forever changed.

- Cassie Gillis, Bremerton High School Choirs, Italy, 2009

I have the picture of us performing in Shanghai in my office - that was the biggest performance in my program's history - I still can't believe the response that we got.

- Patrick Antinone, GHS Mustang Choirs, China, 2008

Travel and music are not so different from one another. They have a beginning and an ending. They are about finding a flow in the turn of a road or in a line of notes. They are about discovering beauty in sound and sight and touch. They are about touching the part of the human spirit that yearns for something greater. Travel and music are not so different from one another, and Kingsway International has found a way of bringing them together into a perfect blend of harmony.

- Starfire Singers, CA, Denmark, 2009

Can't thank you enough for the wonderful concert venues you arranged for us in China! The response of the Chinese people was most gratifying and rewarding for all of us. Our tour escorts Scott Jiang and Angela Wang were fabulous . . . can't imagine having nicer, more knowledgeable guides anywhere. My group loved them. The hotel accommodations, too, were great!

- John Goldsmith, Heinz Chapel Choir, University of Pittsburgh, China, 2009

We were treated like royalty – it was a fantastic experience that we will never forget!

- Dr. Ian Loeppky, University of North Alabama Choir, Italy, 2009

KI allowed us flexibility to make our performance tour a true once in a lifetime experience. Other tour companies force you into a 'cookie cutter' type tour. During our entire trip we felt that our happiness was Kingsway's top priority. I would definitely recommend KI as a company anyone would be happy to do business with.

- Mary Pietro, Director of Liturgical Music, St. Mary Parish, Buffalo Grove, IL, Italy, 2009

In ten years of touring, this is the first time we used Kingsway, and the best tour we have been on. Everything ran smoothly, and the tour guide, bus driver and bus exceeded our expectations. We were able to see so much of Spain, and the audiences at our performances were great.

- Georgia Regional Girls Choir, Spain, 2009

I could not be happier with our tour. I just loved it. I love the Kingsway staff, and it was a pleasure to work through all the business ends of things with them. I was very happy with accommodations and food. The itinerary and performance schedule was just what I wanted, and I think the variety of musical experiences and the amazing venues were exceptional. Good size audiences too! I wouldn't change a bit of that. Again, I loved, loved, loved the tour and I cannot wait to do it again!

- Bill Liberatore, Henry M. Gunn High School Choir, Prague, Vienna, 2009

I was most pleased with KI staff in all our dealings. They were professional in all our exchanges; very timely in responding, demonstrated great patience in answering the same question a number of times, had great follow through and did it all with great kindness. Your staff comes highly recommended.

- Sue Pitman, University of Wisconsin-Stout Alumni Program, Italy and Austria, 2009

The Greeley Chorale has traveled with Kingsway now 3 times and our Concert Tours to China, Italy, and Greece have been very wonderful and rewarding. The KI team was complete and thoughtful throughout our travels. They were especially helpful in emergency events.

- Greeley Chorale, Greece, 2009

KI provided a lifetime experience that many of our students will never forget!

- South High Band Boosters Inc., Italy, 2009

Terrific planning and excellent organization. KI worked with our specific interests and cared for our every possible need.

- Dr. Steve Zielke, Oregon State University Choir, Hawaii, 2009

Kingsway was absolutely wonderful in every respect! The opportunity to sing in the Opera House is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed. Do everything you can to get there, KI will take care of the rest.

- Mary Jane Keathley and the choir, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Charleston, SC, Australia and New Zealand, 2009

World Voices Australia proved to be an exceptional experience – both musically and culturally – for our group. From top notch tour guides to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of singing in the Sydney Opera House, I would highly recommend this Kingsway International program to future Choirs.

- David Hobson, Centenary College Choir, Australia and New Zealand, 2009

KI's organisation of the Bach B Minor Mass tour to Korea and China by Yale Schola Cantorum and Collegium Players was a resounding success and beautifully executed in every way. We were all tremendously impressed by the attention to detail in the concert venues, the expertise and charm of the guides, the quality of the hotels and meals, and the calm resourcefulness and sensitivity displayed by every member of the Kingsway team.

- Simon Carrington, Yale University, Seoul and China, 2009

A 'big thank-you' to you and your team for allowing us to sing with the visiting choir on their Welsh Tour. I know they thought they were privileged to sing with us in such surroundings, but we truly were overwhelmed by their professionalism and quality of singing.

- Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, Wales, 2009

Dear Robin, hope the Caerphilly concert was as good as ours last evening. I'm sure it was. The Cardiff concert exceeded our expectations with both choirs being enjoyed by the audience. Thanks once again for a great concert. Please give our thanks to the choir and their brilliant conductors.

- St Lukes Church Cardiff, Wales, 2009

Kingsway Concerts continues to provide the highest quality experience around. Each of the KI staff is friendly, extremely professional, and always attentive to the needs of my ensembles. A first rate outfit!

- Dr. Robert Frelly, Southern California Youth Philharmonic, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, 2009

KI did an extraordinary job planning and administrating our tour. The office staff handling our booking made us feel as if we were their number 1 priority. Once in Scotland, we were educated and entertained wonderfully by our guides, and the itinerary was perfectly tailored to our needs and desires. We look forward to our next KIconcerts tour!

- Dr. Karen Kennedy, Director of Choirs, Towson University, Scotland & England, 2009