We are excited to announce the debut of our new podcast series, Encast. Through this new podcast, we will travel the world to discover the story behind the most successful music ensembles. We pride ourselves on being more than just a performance tour company, we want to be actively engaged with our group leaders, and help provide the resources needed to thrive. With Encast, listeners will have an exclusive look into the survival tools used by some of the world’s finest directors. In Part 1 of our first episode, Diane Linn, President and Executive Director of the Community Chorus of Detroit (CCD), sits down to discuss the history of Detroit, why she felt it was important to form an inclusive chorus, and how she overcame some of the early challenges facing new ensembles. If you have ever wanted to learn about the essential ingredients for starting a community ensemble, this podcast is for you! We will be releasing Part 2 of the CCD podcast next week, which deals with the essential elements for building your repertoire and so much more. The Encast is available on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, so please subscribe today! Note: The Encast is designed to be played sequentially, beginning with the “Welcome to the Encast (1A)” portion. If you are listening via Apple Podcasts, please make sure your settings are set to “Play in Sequential Order.” If you are using Spotify please sort “From Old to New” to ensure that Part 1 plays continuously. Classrooms and performance halls across the US have been disrupted, and musicians have been forced to transition into online environments. It may not be possible to travel or perform with your ensemble now, but with our new Encore Live series, you can still stay connected. Visit our Encore Live page to learn more about this new series, view upcoming live events, and watch all of our past recordings.
November 2, 2026 Encore Tours Venue Spotlight: Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral Explore St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna: its history, its deep ties to Haydn and Mozart, and what it’s like for your ensemble to perform there. Backstage Blog
October 27, 2026 Encore Tours Music Tour Planning Mistakes: 7 Horror Stories to Avoid Every music director has heard one. The tour where the price went up after families had already paid. The concert where the ensemble outnumbered the audience. Backstage Blog
October 21, 2026 Encore Tours Meet Encore Tours at the 2026 Midwest Clinic Encore Tours is heading to The 80th Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, taking place December 16–18, 2026, at McCormick Place West in Chicago. Backstage Blog