2025: A Year of Unforgettable Concerts Worldwide with the KI Family
Hi KI Concerts family! Oliver here with special thoughts about an incredible year.
As this holiday season builds to a crescendo, and we look forward to 2026, we’d like to take a step back to reflect on a year defined by new destinations, meaningful collaborations, and countless shared memories. From breathtaking basilicas to bustling city squares, ensembles filled stages around the world with energy, passion, and unforgettable performances.
Here are some of KI Concerts’ top moments from 2025:
Esteemed Performance Venue: St. Peter’s Basilica
While there are many incredible spaces around the world to perform in, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is one of the most sought after by our ensembles. Its history boasts timelessness, and its esteemed setting sets the stage for incredible stories.
This summer was especially remarkable. The day before their official performance at the Basilica, members of the Outer Banks Choir attended Papal Mass and saw the Pope up close! This special moment set the stage for a meaningful tour that was cherished by the group.
Read more about their performance tour here
Top Stories from 2025
Every tour leaves us with unforgettable memories, and this year was no exception. Here are a couple of stories that capture the spirit of connection, discovery, and music-making that defined our 2025 tours.
- We reflected on the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School choir’s moving performance at the historic Palais des Papes in Avignon, where their voices echoed off ancient stone in a deeply emotional moment.
- We had the joy of leading Holy Heart High School’s jazz band and chamber choir through Greece, where they performed against breathtaking backdrops, from ancient ruins to local community venues. Their concert at a primary school in Athens became an unexpected highlight, capturing the spirit of connection that makes performance travel so transformative.
Destinations Explored for Future Travel
After a successful inspection trip this year, we’re excited to offer Turkey as a destination starting in 2026! Turkey offers musicians the rare opportunity to experience ancient history firsthand while engaging with a vibrant, modern cultural scene. The crossroads city of Istanbul which straddles the Asian and European continents, the legendary ruins of Troy, the sacred sites of Nicea, and the remarkably preserved streets of Ephesus connect visitors with thousands of years of civilization. With breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and unforgettable performance opportunities, Turkey promises an inspiring and enriching experience for all who visit. See a sample tour itinerary here.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Trends
2025 was incredible, 2026 is going to be even more exciting. We’ve noticed more enquiries about performing off the main tourist routes. We expect the number of directors who are interested in immersion and in-depth connections with local ensembles to continue to increase next year.
Particularly in our most popular up-and-coming destinations: Brazil and Cuba.
From the incredible Christ the Redeemer statue, to behind-the-scenes tours of carnival float production sites, to exploring colorful street murals created for the 2016 Olympics, Brazil has something for every ensemble. Here’s what one director said about the country and its warm audiences:
“These were the most responsive audiences we’ve ever encountered. I’d be happy to provide a recommendation to any directors considering (or on the fence about) Brazil. Some of the students were a little “meh” at first with regard to Brazil (they told me so), but those same students praised the tour as the best one ever.”
Cuba offers incredible performance opportunities in historic venues, coupled along side the opportunity to immerse in culture that can feel close close and so distant simultaneously. Interested in learning more? Read about the UST String Orchestra’s performance tour this summer.
“Our students were truly amazing ambassadors for the university and our country. What was most significant was their deep encounter with a new culture. They had several opportunities to mix with Cuban students, sharing rehearsals and performances for and with each other.”
As 2025 draws to a close, one thing is unmistakably clear: music continues to be a force that transcends borders, unites communities, and amplifies the voices of performers around the world. As we look ahead to 2026, the memories created and milestones achieved will continue to inspire the next generation of musicians to keep forging connections through the universal language of music.
Cheers to you, 2025, and what’s in store for the new year!
-Oliver Scofield and the KI Concerts Family
