The Holy Heart High School Jazz Band and Chamber Choir recently returned from a performance tour inGreece that delighted travelers and locals alike. In addition to seeing the well-known landmarks of Athens, the group visited hidden gems like the vibrant waterfront of Chalkida and the ancient theater of Epidaurus.
Among the many high notes of the trip, one stood out as a clear favorite: a collaborative performance at a primary school in Athens. Holy Heart’s Chamber Choir charmed the audience with their energy and talent. The performance was a heartwarming exchange that left a lasting impression on everyone involved. Exchange concerts not only showcase students’ musical abilities but also create international bonds between ensembles.
Even during their tour of the Acropolis later that day, members of the group were still buzzing with energy from performing and connecting with the students.
The ensemble returned from the trip with high praise. According to the choir’s director, Robert Colbourne, “This was the BEST trip I have ever taken with students.”
Reach out today to start planning your ensemble’s next international performance tour!
The ensemble’s performance at Basilica Menor of St. Francis of Assisi Convent in Havana.
This summer, the University of St. Thomas String Orchestra embarked on a performance tour of Cuba. The director, Matthew George, is a longtime partner with KI. Over decades of trips, UST’s ensembles have benefitted from seamless tour planning andlogisticsso they can focus on creating beautiful music. This tour of Cuba was no different, and it included one of the most inspiring moments of his travel performance career.
On Day 6 of their tour, the orchestra visited Matanzas for a workshop with the Camerata Jose White ensemble. As the Cuban ensemble performed their welcome pieces, the power went out across the entire island,plungingthe room into darkness. What happened next was as improvisational as it was memorable: the UST students instinctively moved to the stage and encircled the musicians in light, allowing them to finish the pieces and creating one of the most hands-oncultural exchanges that KI Concerts is so proud to facilitate.
After the workshop, both ensembles performed a concert at Sala White, a 19th-century concert hall known for its exquisite acoustics. The finale was a moving collaborative performance of La Bella Cubana, written by José White, the namesake of the hall. It was a beautiful moment that summed up the reason why groups perform exchange concerts with local ensembles on performance tours; connection illuminates the music.
Watch a Spanish-language clip of the performance filmed by Cuba’s national TV station here:
Students enjoying the sights, sounds, and cuisine of Havana.
Interested in touring Cuba — or any other premier destination — with your ensemble? Discuss orchestra tour options with one of our travel experts here!
Rollo Dilworth leading rehearsal for the 2023 Dublin Choral Festival’s Gala Concert.
Festivals offer choirs a unique opportunity to perform on the global stage and connect with musicians from around the world. Join other choirs as you’re led by a prestigious conductor in a combined Gala Concert. Each festival is curated around a specific theme and repertoire, ensuring there’s a festival tour for any kind of choir.Learn more about why a KI Concerts festival may be the perfect choicefor your choir’s next overseas adventure!
What’s a choir festival?
You and your choir will join several other choirs from across the US to rehearse and perform in a Gala Concert under the baton of an iconic festival leader like Rollo Dilworth, Craig Hella Johnson, Michael John Trotta, Nathan Payant, or Pearl Shangkuan.
Interested in seeing some KI festivals in action? Check out this video from a past festival season on our YouTube channel.
A choir visiting the Astrological Clock during the 2022 Prague Choral Festival.
What’s the difference between a festival and a custom tour?
Your choir will still visit famous landmarks, experience the local culture, and perform individual concerts while participating in a festival. However, your singers will receive the additional experiences of:
Dedicated rehearsal time with the festival leader
Performing a Gala Concert with the combined festival choir in a renowned venue
My ensemble has ten or fewer members. Can we join a choir festival?
Absolutely. Festivals are a fantastic option for choirs of all sizes. In fact, festivals can serve as an excellent introduction to international touring for ensembles making their first overseas journey.
What music will we perform?
Each festival leader curates a unique program. Your ensemble will receive the repertoire well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation prior to departure.
Do we compete?
No, our festivals are not competitive. At the Gala Concert, each choir will perform one or two songs on their own, followed by a combined performance with the full festival choir.
Rehearsal for the antiphonal section of the 2022 Dublin Choir Festival’s Gala Concert at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Can we extend the trip beyond the festival?
Yes. We offer customizable extensions for our festivals that allow choirs to spend more time abroad and explore new cities. We’ll work with you to create a journey that matches your vision and goals as the director.
How should we sign up?
The ideal time to reach out to us is 18-24 months ahead of departure. This ensures optimal pricing and accommodation options.
Please note that some festivals have capacity limits due to venue sizes, so early inquiry is encouraged. If you’re interested in joining a festival, reach out today to guarantee your choir’s spot!
During a weeklong tour of Brazil, the Wake Forest University Chamber Choir immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of the country, strengthened connections within their ensemble, and delivered powerful performances that truly moved local audiences. Their journey highlighted just a few of the many reasons Brazil is an exceptional choir tour destination.
The gorgeous town of Paraty provided the perfect start to the tour. Here, students engaged in a capoeira workshop that revealed the intricate fusion of martial arts, rhythm, and resistance at the heart of this Brazilian tradition. A guided walk through Paraty’s cobbled streets offered a deep insight into the town’s history. Later, a visit to a nearby quilombo community provided a moving and immersive encounter with Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian heritage, experienced firsthand through music, dance, and intergenerational storytelling.
After exploring Paraty, the group departed for Rio de Janeiro, where they held a spontaneous and inspiring performance at the Christ the Redeemer statue. Check out this short video of them singing at the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Connecting Through Music
Each performance on the tour was met with enthusiastic audiences. The choir performed in a range of beautiful settings, from an exquisite venue in Paraty’s Casa da Cultura to a historic church in Rio filled with more than 300 people. The students captivated every crowd, and a highlight of the program included Muié Rendêra, a beloved traditional Brazilian song.
One of the most touching moments was the exchange concert with a Brazilian youth choir at IBEU in Rio. After sharing the stage, they shared laughter, stories, and a rodizio-style pizza dinner, a distinctly Brazilian way to celebrate their new friendships.
A Tour That Resonates
With stunning performances, cultural exchange, and countless moments of joy, Brazil gave the choir an experience that will resonate for years to come.
For directors planning future tours, Brazil offers not only exceptional venues and audiences, but also the chance to foster deep connections within and beyond the choir.
The Groton-Dunstable Regional High School’s choir tour ofFrancewas nothing short of extraordinary. Over the course of eight days, the voices of these young singers filled historic cathedrals, bustling restaurants, and sunny plazas around Paris and the French Riviera.
From day one, the performances were met with welcoming, enthusiastic audiences. During several outdoor performances in Nice, people eating at surrounding cafes stood and watched the choir while others flung open their shutters and listened from their balconies.
One evening in Avignon
As the group settled in for dinner, the restaurant owner discovered they were a choir. She asked if they might sing just one song. The singers obliged and selected a stunning piece from their repertoire that left the staff and fellow diners with tears in their eyes.
After such an incredible moment at the restaurant, the choir decided to visit the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) that evening instead of waiting for the next day’s official tour. As the ancient structure came into view, gasps of awe filled the air. “Oooohs” and “Aaahhs” echoed as the students took in the size and majesty of the former papal residence. And then, without microphones or a stage, the choir lined up and sang to the square in front of the palace.
Their voices rose into the square, bouncing off the stone walls behind them, wrapping the crowd in sound. It was ethereal. That morning, the world had learned of Pope Francis’s passing, and the moment felt like a balm for collective grief. There were tears in the eyes of parents, staff, and strangers alike.
The director, Tim Savoy, later reflected on what was the highlight of the tour: seeing his students’ faces as they heard their voices echo at this historic place during a historic time.
The choir singing at the Palais des Papes in Avignon, France.
Emotions in every measure
Each performance on the tour was a gift to a different corner of France, a demonstration of the students’ immense talent, and a testament to their director’s vision. The singers shared joy, sparked tears, and offered comfort, which reminded everyone involved of the transformative power of music.
If you’re interested in visiting France or bringing your musicians on the adventure of a lifetime, contact us today to start planning your next international choir tour.
The Holy Heart High School Jazz Band and Chamber Choir recently returned from a performance tour in Greece that delighted travelers and locals alike. In addition to seeing the well-known landmarks of Athens, the group visited hidden gems like the vibrant waterfront of Chalkida and the ancient theater of Epidaurus. 
