Dedication to Music, Culture, and Education

Welcome to American Music Abroad

American Music Abroad is a performance tour program for high school, college and adult-aged band, choir, musical theater and orchestra musicians, performing in Europe's finest halls and cathedrals since 1975.

Find your tour Explore 2027 tours

1975Founded by a band director and his wife

50Years of music tours

350+International music tours

40,000+Participants

A group of teenage friends smiling together

A choir performing behind a row of microphones

A student band performing on the Disney Performing Arts stage

2027 Tours

Nine tours. Ten countries. One summer.

See every route on the map

Student

About Us

Founded by a band director in 1975

American Music Abroad was founded by a high school band director and his wife. Fifty years and more than 350 international tours later, the idea is the same: bring young musicians from many schools together, rehearse them into one ensemble, and let them perform in Europe's great halls and cathedrals.

“The highest standards and the greatest musical and cultural experiences for the lowest possible price.”The AMA mission

Our story

What every student tour includes

Everything handled, so the music comes first

Roundtrip airfare

High-quality hotels

Motor coach transportation

Breakfast and dinner in Europe

All entrance fees

Planned group activities every evening

Pre-tour rehearsal and orientation at a college

A full-time tour escort with every group

The Three Cs

Cathedrals, memorial sites and castles

Every tour is built around three kinds of places that turn sightseeing into education. Pick one to see which 2027 tours include it.

Programs

A tour for every musician

High school musicians

Student Tours

Students from many schools join one touring ensemble of about 150 musicians: concert band, choir, jazz band, string orchestra, music theater and color guard. 15 to 20 days, five countries, with a rehearsal and orientation camp at a college before departure.

Adult musicians

Community Music Performance Tours

Adult musicians of all skill levels from across North America form one traveling ensemble. Four cities and four concerts per tour, with guided city and castle tours and group dinners.

University musicians

Collegiate Tour

College and university musicians audition for seats in a national honors ensemble, led by ensemble directors from programs such as The College of New Jersey, Baldwin Wallace and West Chester University.

Your own band, choir or orchestra

Ensemble Performance Tours

A custom European performance tour for an existing school, college or community group. Each proposal is individually crafted with a tour coordinator.

Parents and families

Friends and Family Tours

10-day, 8-night tours with their own itinerary that meet up with three of your student's AMA performances. Offered with Peak Group Travel.

Non-musical travelers

AMA Adventures

Curated European trips for couples, friends, families and solo travelers, starting with the Christmas Markets of France and Ski Austria.

Testimonials

In their words

More testimonials

Students working on a hands-on project with their teacher

Ready for summer 2027?

Ask a question, learn about a tour, or start planning with your music director.

About Us

Our Story

To provide the highest standards and the greatest musical and cultural experiences for the lowest possible price, without compromising on quality, and always serving participants' best interests.

Fifty years of music, culture and education

American Music Abroad was founded in 1975 by a high school band director and his wife. It has since organized more than 350 international music tours, mostly through Western Europe, for over 40,000 participants. Head Directors coordinate recruitment and tour planning, and since 2022 AMA has been part of Peak Group Travel in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

“The Best Way to Experience Europe!”American Music Abroad

Click through the milestones

Friends from across the country

Students from many schools rehearse and perform as one ensemble. They arrive as strangers and leave as a team.

A different stage

Historic halls and cathedrals change the acoustics, the audience and the meaning of every performance.

Learning built in

Pre-tour orientation introduces European art and architecture, and every itinerary pairs concerts with history.

About Us

Head Directors

Head Directors coordinate every part of recruitment and tour planning for their tours.

As listed on the About Us page of americanmusicabroad.com. Bronze, Empire and Blue are tours named on that page outside the 2027 lineup.

About Us

Testimonials

Students, parents and conductors on their American Music Abroad tours.

About Us

Part of Peak Group Travel

Since 2022 American Music Abroad has been part of Peak Group Travel, a full-service student and group travel company in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Journeys that educate, inspire and perform

Full-service student and group travel company with more than 25 years of experience
Customized educational, performance and cultural tours in the U.S. and internationally
A dedicated tour planner from first call to the end of the tour
Professional tour managers who travel with groups, plus 24/7 support
Band, choir, orchestra and marching band trips, senior class trips and international travel
Performance venues across the Peak network, including Disney Springs

Bruce Rickert is President of Peak Group Travel and American Music Abroad. peakgrouptravel.com

Peak destinations close to home

Beyond Europe, Peak plans performance and educational trips across the United States.

Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Capitol and the National Mall for civics-rich student trips.

New York City

Times Square, Broadway and big-stage energy.

Philadelphia

Independence Hall, where the nation's story begins.

Colonial Williamsburg

Living history on the streets of 18th-century Virginia.

Orlando

Theme parks and performance opportunities for ensembles.

Disney Springs performances

Bands perform on the Disney Performing Arts stage.

Educational workshops

Hands-on learning built into group itineraries.

Our Tours

Dedication to Music, Culture, and Education. The Best Way to Experience Europe! Fifty years of experience arranging music tours for student and adult groups.

High school musicians

Student Tours

Adult musicians

Community Music Performance Tours

Adult musicians of all skill levels from across North America form one traveling ensemble. Four cities and four concerts per tour, with guided city and castle tours and group dinners.

University musicians

Collegiate Tour

Your own band, choir or orchestra

Ensemble Performance Tours

A custom European performance tour for an existing school, college or community group. Each proposal is individually crafted with a tour coordinator.

Parents and families

Friends and Family Tours

10-day, 8-night tours with their own itinerary that meet up with three of your student's AMA performances. Offered with Peak Group Travel.

Non-musical travelers

AMA Adventures

Who it is for

High school and college-aged musicians in concert band, concert choir, jazz band, string orchestra, music theater and color guard. A tour includes numerous ensembles, about 150 members in all. Students are chosen through recommendations from school directors and audition recordings.

15 to 20 days in five countries of Western Europe
Pre-tour orientation and rehearsal at a college, with an introduction to European art and architecture
Roundtrip airfare, high-quality hotels and motor coach transportation
Breakfasts and dinners, all entrance fees and planned evening activities
Folkloric evenings, castle visits and WWII memorial sites
A full-time tour escort with every group

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Our Tours

Community Music Performance Tours

Adult musicians from across North America form one traveling ensemble and perform in historic European venues.

For adult musicians of every level

Harmony brings band, choir and orchestra to Ireland. Resonance takes choir, strings and handbells to Prague, Leipzig, Dresden, Wittenberg and Berlin. Independence crosses Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia with band, choir and orchestra.

Adult musicians of all skill levels
Participants from more than 25 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces in the last three years
Four cities and four concerts per tour
Rehearsals in Europe for performances at local venues
A professional concert by local musicians
Guided city and castle tours
A self-guided visit to a WWII concentration camp
Group dinners with traditional cuisine and entertainment
Free time to explore

Community tours for 2027

Community

Harmony Tour 2027

June 16 to June 26, 2027

Ireland

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Community

Resonance Tour 2027

June 27 to July 7, 2027

Czech Republic, Germany

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Community

Independence Tour 2027

July 23 to August 2, 2027

Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia

View tour

Our Tours

Collegiate Tour

University musicians from across the country form one touring ensemble.

An honors ensemble of college musicians

Open to student musicians currently performing in a college or university ensemble. Students audition for seats in a wind ensemble, jazz ensemble or choir. Space is limited.

Ensemble directors from The College of New Jersey, Baldwin Wallace University, James Madison University, Towson University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania, among others
Students from many colleges form one ensemble
Concerts in historic venues and public squares
Hotels, transportation, airport coordination and help moving instruments and luggage

Collegiate tours for 2027

Collegiate

All-American Honors Collegiate Tour 2027

Early June 2027

Italy, Slovenia, Austria

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Student Tour · 2027

Stars and Stripes Tour 2027

June 12 to June 27, 2027 16 days 3 countries

Head Directors Jennifer and Frank Zimmerer. Germany, Austria, Italy.

Ask about this tour Day-by-day itinerary

The route

Munich
Westendorf
Salzburg
Rattenberg
Lake Garda
Abano Terme
Bologna
Venice
Verona
Milan

Highlights

Rehearsal camp and farewell concert at Tennessee Tech University
Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Allianz Arena and the BMW Museum in Munich
Dachau Memorial Site
Salzburg, Mirabell Gardens and the Hallein Salt Mines
Glassblowing in Rattenberg and a gondola to the glacier
Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica in Bologna
Charter boat to Venice and St. Mark's Square
La Scala Museum, Sforza Castle and the Duomo in Milan

Performances

Evening concert in Munich Alpenrosensaal, Westendorf Zillertal evening concert Abano Terme evening concert Milan evening concert

Ensembles

Concert bandChoirOrchestra

Families can follow along on a Friends and Family Tour: 10 days and 8 nights, meeting up with three of your student's performances.

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Student Tour · 2027

Gold Tour 2027

July 4 to July 21, 2027 18 days 5 countries

Head Director Keith Hodgson. Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy.

Ask about this tour

The route

Dachau
Westendorf
Regensburg
Prague
Vienna
Graz
Ljubljana
Abano Terme
Venice

Highlights

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
Westendorf: rehearsals, hiking, a glacier and the Salzburg Salt Mines
Guided Prague sightseeing and a Vltava River dinner cruise
Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace and a Viennese dinner with live music
Postojna Cave and a Ljubljana city tour
Venice day trip and Palazzo Bo at the University of Padua

Performances

Westendorf Regensburg Prague concert St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna (choir) Ljubljana community concert Final concert in Italy

Ensembles

Concert bandChoirString orchestraJazz band

Families can follow along on a Friends and Family Tour: 10 days and 8 nights, meeting up with three of your student's performances.

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Student Tour · 2027

Silver Tour 2027

Two weeks, summer 2027 14 days 3 countries

Head Director Bret Mascaro, Tour Escort John Leonard. Austria, Germany, Slovakia.

Ask about this tour

The route

Munich
Westendorf
Innsbruck
Rattenberg
Salzburg
Linz
Vienna
Bratislava
Deggendorf
Regensburg

Highlights

Tyrolean folkloric evening in Westendorf
Innsbruck walking tour and an Alpine glacier excursion
Glass blowing in Rattenberg
Salzburg's Mirabell Gardens and salt mines
Schönbrunn Palace, the State Opera and the composers' cemetery in Vienna
House of Bavarian History, Deutsches Museum and the Dachau Memorial in Munich

Performances

Alpenrosensaal, Westendorf Zillertal concert St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna (choir) Concert halls across Austria and Germany

Ensembles

One national touring ensemble

Families can follow along on a Friends and Family Tour: 10 days and 8 nights, meeting up with three of your student's performances.

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Student Tour · 2027

Red Tour 2027

June 30 to July 14, 2027 15 days 4 countries

Head Director Gary Fink, Tour Escort John Uhl. Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland.

Ask about this tour

The route

Brussels
Delft
Kinderdijk
Rotterdam
The Hague
Hannover
Berlin
Szczecin

Highlights

Museum of Musical Instruments and chocolate museums in Brussels
Fort Breendonk WWII memorial
Delft pottery and the Kinderdijk windmills
Rotterdam Harbour and the Peace Palace in The Hague
Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover
Pomeranian Castle courtyards in Szczecin

Performances

Brussels concert Concerts in the Netherlands Berlin Dom (choir) Concert venues in Germany

Ensembles

One national touring ensemble

Families can follow along on a Friends and Family Tour: 10 days and 8 nights, meeting up with three of your student's performances.

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Student Tour · 2027

Freedom Tour 2027

July 11 to July 26, 2027 16 days 4 countries

Directors and tour escorts travel with every group. Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria.

Ask about this tour

The route

Munich
Nuremberg
Prague
Bratislava
Vienna
Linz
Salzburg
Westendorf

Highlights

Imperial Castle and Nuremberg Old Town
Flossenburg and Mauthausen memorial sites
Prague Old City and the Estates Theatre
Vltava River dinner cruise
Bratislava Castle
Danube River cruise to Vienna
Mirabell Gardens and the salt mines in Salzburg

Performances

Concert in Germany Evening performance in Prague Bratislava concert Alpenrosensaal, Westendorf

Ensembles

One national touring ensemble

Families can follow along on a Friends and Family Tour: 10 days and 8 nights, meeting up with three of your student's performances.

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Community Tour · 2027

Harmony Tour 2027

June 16 to June 26, 2027 11 days 1 country

Head Director Lou DeBonzo. Ireland.

Ask about this tour

The route

Dublin
Rock of Cashel
Killarney
Bunratty
Limerick
Cliffs of Moher
Galway
Athlone
Dublin

Highlights

Rock of Cashel
Muckross House, the Ring of Kerry and Derrynane House
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
King John's Castle in Limerick
The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Cave
Kylemore Abbey, Athlone Castle, Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral

Performances

Killarney concert Limerick, with a local Irish performing arts group Galway concert

Ensembles

BandChoirOrchestra

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Community Tour · 2027

Resonance Tour 2027

June 27 to July 7, 2027 11 days 2 countries

Adult musicians form one ensemble. Czech Republic, Germany.

Ask about this tour

The route

Prague
Dresden
Leipzig
Wittenberg
Berlin

Highlights

Prague Old Town and a Vltava River dinner cruise
Terezín Memorial
Meissen Porcelain Factory near Dresden
Thomaskirche in Leipzig and a classical concert
Schlosskirche in Wittenberg
Berlin sightseeing and the Staatsoper

Performances

Historic performance spaces in Prague Berlin Dom (choir) Performances in Berlin

Ensembles

ChoirStringsHandbells

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Community Tour · 2027

Independence Tour 2027

July 23 to August 2, 2027 11 days 4 countries

Head Director Keith Hodgson. Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia.

Ask about this tour

The route

Munich
Innsbruck
Lazise
Abano Terme
Venice
Postojna
Ljubljana
Vienna

Highlights

Innsbruck Old Town and the Golden Roof
Brenner Pass and Lake Garda at Lazise
Venice by charter boat
Postojna Caves
Ljubljana Castle by funicular
Vienna's Ringstrasse, Hofburg, a Mozart concert and farewell dinner

Performances

Innsbruck historic church or square Piazza Todeschini, Abano Terme Ljubljana public square St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna Finale concert in Vienna

Ensembles

BandChoirOrchestra

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Collegiate Tour · 2027

All-American Honors Collegiate Tour 2027

Early June 2027 3 countries

Ensemble directors from leading university music programs. Italy, Slovenia, Austria.

Ask about this tour

The route

Venice
Abano Terme
Verona
Ljubljana
Vienna

Highlights

Fly into Venice and settle in Abano Terme
Guided walk and entry to the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater
Concerts in historic venues and public squares
Slovenia and Austria

Performances

Historic concert venues in Italy Slovenia Austria

Ensembles

Wind ensembleJazz ensembleChoir

2027 rates use estimated airfare and inclusions; AMA anticipates no more than a 10 percent increase once final pricing is released. See this tour on americanmusicabroad.com or make a payment.

Student Tours

Stars & Stripes 2027, Day by Day

June 12 to June 27, 2027: rehearsals in Tennessee, then Germany, Austria and Italy.

Tour overview

Our Tours

Ensemble Performance Tours

Partner with American Music Abroad to design a customized European performance tour for your band, choir or orchestra.

Your group, our expertise

AMA organizes tours for community, college and high school musical groups. Each tour proposal is individually crafted, combining your group's vision with 50 years of experience and international contacts, and AMA handles every detail so you can focus on the music.

1Contact AMA to start planning

2Share your ensemble's goals and vision

3Work with a tour coordinator on itinerary and performances

4Receive an individually crafted proposal

Individual adults can also join non-performance travel, offered twice a year. See AMA Adventures.

Our Tours

Friends and Family Tours

Offered with Peak Group Travel: 10-day, 8-night tours with their own itinerary that meet up with three of your student's AMA performances.

Travel alongside, not on, the student tour

Space on student tours is limited, so parents and families travel on a separate, tour-specific Friends and Family Tour. Each one has its own registration link and itinerary, and each catches three of the student ensemble's concerts.

BlueBronzeEmpireGoldFreedomSilverRedStars & Stripes

Registration links

Our Tours

AMA Adventures

A division of American Music Abroad for curious travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, families and anyone looking beyond the traditional sightseeing tour.

November 28 to December 6, 2026

Christmas Markets of France

Alsace villages, Strasbourg's Christmas market (dating to 1570), half-timbered Colmar, wine villages and castles, then Paris at Christmas: the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre and Notre-Dame.

Professionally planned itinerary and premium accommodations
Comfortable motorcoach and an experienced Tour Manager
Selected sightseeing plus free time

Coming soon

Ski Austria, Westendorf

Skiing in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental region, modern lifts and trails for every level, traditional alpine lodging, après-ski and mountain villages. For first-timers and experienced skiers alike.

Future adventures may include hiking, cycling, culinary tours, river cruises, seasonal festivals and wellness retreats.

Plan

Tour Finder

Three quick questions and you will see the 2027 tours that fit.

Who is traveling?

What do you play or sing?

When can you travel?

Choose who is traveling to see your matches.

Plan

Compare Tours

Pick up to three 2027 tours and see them side by side.

Plan

Route Explorer

Every 2027 itinerary, city by city, across ten countries.

Plan

Season Planner

The milestones between today and departure day, from the FAQs and the tour pages.

Your tour

Season milestones

Your fall checklist

From AMA's September planning guide.

Plan

Fundraising

AMA hosts several fundraising programs before each tour, and many students secure sponsorships that cover tour expenses.

Where sponsors come from

Faith communitiesChurches or religious organizations the student belongs to

Service groupsVFW, American Legion and Rotary International

Friends and familyThe people who want to see the student perform

Tip from AMA: offer to give a presentation after you return. It is one of the most effective ways to attract sponsors.

Resources

Sample fundraising letters Fundraising plan How to ask for money SYTA Youth Foundation Road Scholarship

Fundraising ideas AMA lists (with no responsibility for the sites): fundraising.com, World's Finest Chocolate, SpotFund.

Sponsor letter builder

Fill in the blanks for a first draft, then personalize it with AMA's sample letters.

Student nameInstrument or voice

TourWriting to

Plan

Fundraising Planner

Turn your tour balance into a monthly plan. Use the price from your tour's pricing sheet; AMA does not publish prices online.

Amount to raise ($)

Tour

Sponsor letters sent

Expected yes rate

Average gift ($)

AMA fundraisers joined

Raised per fundraiser ($)

0%covered

Plan

FAQs

Answers from American Music Abroad. Still have a question? Contact us.

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Photo Gallery

Performances, destinations and the friendships in between. Click any photo to enlarge.

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Blog

Planning advice and stories from American Music Abroad.

September 11, 2026

Why September Is the Right Time to Start Planning for Next Summer's Student Tour

Starting early keeps families calm. Compare routes like Stars & Stripes and Red, check passports, set a budget and a practice goal, and send questions early. A full-time tour escort travels with every group.

Read on americanmusicabroad.com

September 13, 2026

Giving Young Musicians a New Perspective on Performing Abroad

Tours are music and cultural exchange programs built around the Three Cs: cathedrals, memorial sites and castles. Playing historic halls changes the sound, the audience and the meaning, and performing abroad builds confidence.

Read on americanmusicabroad.com

September 15, 2026

Why December Is the Perfect Time to Experience the Christmas Markets of France

Strasbourg's Grande-Île (UNESCO since 1988), half-timbered Colmar, handmade gifts and mulled wine, and choirs and carols that let people share traditions without a shared language.

Read on americanmusicabroad.com

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Alumni

We would like to hear from our alumni! Reconnect through music, travel and culture.

Alumni Tours

American Music Abroad designs European music tours for returning participants and alumni. Fill out the alumni form for more information about Alumni Tours, or just write to say hi.

Alumni contact form

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