The challenges and the benefits of touring, a music teacher's perspective

• Mar 05, 2018
• School Music Tours
• School Music Trips
• School Music Tour Company
• Teachers’ stories

Adam Assen is Director of Music at a school in Surrey. Here he answers questions on the lows and highs of taking his choir on tour.

How long have you been touring with your choir and how frequently do you tour?

We have been touring for about 15 years and we aim to go every year. Traditionally music tours have been with the choirs and we have enjoyed taking our young singers to amazing churches and cathedrals all over Europe. From next year, we are hoping to run multiple tours for our instrumental ensembles.

What are the main challenges facing music teachers planning to go on a music tour?

There are few challenges but the main one seems to be timing; with so many other school activities and exams in the calendar, finding a slot can be difficult. Our school is part boarding, many of our musicians and singers book flights home well in advance, so early planning is essential. Communicating details between guardians and parents who live in China, Russia and Hong Kong can be difficult- there are occasionally family events that the pupils themselves are unaware of.

What advice would you give first timer party leaders?

> Most certainly use a tour operator and one that has many years of experience running youth tours abroad.

• Ensure that you know the school policies for trips well in advance and be organised!
• Have one person in charge of the trip covering all aspects from collating copies of passports to going on an inspection visit. Here many administrative tasks are aided by online systems such as Wisepay, but, there are still many manual jobs such as collecting first aid kits etc.
• Choose repertoire carefully to help attract an audience - a general concert of random music is less effective than a well-known and attractive work.
• Be well-rehearsed; so there is absolutely no pressure or stress when you are away.

What were the highlights of your tour to Prague last year for you and for your young musicians?

Performing Allegri’s Miserere at St. Nicholas’s Church on the Old Town Square was a real highlight.

> Our tour to Prague last year, with our chapel choir and chamber choir was a wonderful experience for pupils and staff alike.

Having two contrasting venues worked perfectly (one was a small, intimate church and the other a vast and stunning church) and allowed the children to perform to different audiences. The party on the boat was a highlight for every pupil and the karaoke night gave everyone something to remember!

What are you most looking forward to about your tour to Belgium?

Singing under the Menin gate and paying tribute to former students of our school in a special concert at the memorial church in Ypres.

What do you think are the main benefits of music tours?

• Touring abroad and planning ahead can give longevity to some choirs and ensembles as it ensures new members particularly commit to the group for longer.
• Confidence building - simply arriving at unfamiliar venues and performing requires a boldness and pupils rise to the occasion.
• New audiences - concerts in school, in the local community and around the UK in general bring the same audience of families and friends.

> Touring abroad allows for enthralling new audiences.

Children understand that parents will always find their performances amazing as they are wonderfully supportive. Audiences abroad have a genuine reaction based on the performance they have heard.

• Teamwork and bonding - travelling and staying together does make for a stronger social group. Even an airport delay can be positive as children of all year groups entertain themselves, together. Undoubtedly this has positive effects on rehearsals and performances.

Find out more about taking your choir on tour. Call our friendly music team on Freephone 0800 496 4996. Or click on the link to read more about our school music tours.