Ask American Music Abroad

Question 1

What is American Music Abroad?

Accepted Answer

American Music Abroad (AMA) is a performance tour program that takes student, college and adult musicians on roughly 10 to 20 day concert tours through Europe. Since 1975 it has organized more than 320 tours for over 43,000 participants, built around musical exchange, cultural understanding and lasting friendships.

Question 2

When was American Music Abroad founded?

Accepted Answer

AMA was founded in 1975 by a high school band director and his wife, who wanted to share their love of Europe with high school students, college students and adults. It now has 50 years of experience.

Question 3

How experienced is American Music Abroad?

Accepted Answer

AMA has 50 years of experience, with more than 320 musical tours organized and over 43,000 participants, specializing in performance tours of Western Europe.

Question 4

What is AMA's mission?

Accepted Answer

AMA's aim is to give participants the highest standards and the greatest musical and cultural experiences for the lowest possible price, without compromising quality, always serving the participant's best interests.

Question 5

Is AMA part of a larger company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. American Music Abroad is part of Peak Group Travel, which it joined in 2022, and it offers its Friends and Family tours together with Peak Group Travel.

Question 6

Who does American Music Abroad serve?

Accepted Answer

AMA serves high school students, college and university musicians, adult community musicians and existing ensembles, plus friends and family who want to travel to see their student perform.

Question 7

What tours does AMA offer?

Accepted Answer

AMA offers Student Tours, a Collegiate Tour, Community (band, choir and orchestra) Tours for adults, custom Ensemble Performance Tours, and Friends and Family Tours. Try the tour finder on this page, or ask about any one of them.

Question 8

What are AMA student tours?

Accepted Answer

Student tours bring high school and college-aged musicians together into a touring ensemble of about 150 members for a 15 to 20 day tour of five Western European countries, performing in Europe's finest halls and cathedrals, with roundtrip airfare, hotels, coach transport, breakfasts and dinners and all entrance fees included.

Question 9

What is the AMA collegiate tour?

Accepted Answer

The collegiate tour brings university musicians from around the country together into one touring ensemble for a European performance tour. Contact AMA for the current collegiate tour dates and details.

Question 10

What are AMA community tours?

Accepted Answer

Community Music Performance Tours are for adult musicians from across North America, bringing band, choir and orchestra players together into a traveling ensemble that performs in historic European venues.

Question 11

What is an ensemble performance tour?

Accepted Answer

An ensemble performance tour is a customized European tour that AMA designs with an existing band, choir or orchestra, so an established group can travel and perform together. Contact AMA to start planning.

Question 12

Where do AMA tours go?

Accepted Answer

AMA specializes in Western Europe, with student tours visiting five European countries and performing in iconic cities, historic halls and cathedrals. Specific countries and itineraries vary by tour, so check the individual tour page or ask AMA.

Question 13

How long are AMA tours?

Accepted Answer

AMA tours generally run from about 10 to 20 days. Student tours are 15 to 20 days, and Friends and Family tours are 10 days and 8 nights. Each tour page lists its exact length.

Question 14

What is AMA Adventures?

Accepted Answer

AMA Adventures is one of the travel experiences listed among AMA's tours. For details on current AMA Adventures offerings, contact the AMA team.

Question 15

Who can go on an AMA tour?

Accepted Answer

AMA tours are for high school and college-aged musicians on student tours, university musicians on the collegiate tour, and adult musicians on community tours. Existing ensembles of all kinds can arrange a custom tour.

Question 16

How are students selected for a tour?

Accepted Answer

Students are selected based on a recommendation from their school music director and/or musical achievement shown in an audition recording. Invited students receive a referral code to join.

Question 17

How do I join an AMA tour?

Accepted Answer

To join, students typically need a recommendation from their high school music director, and invitees receive a referral code at a recruitment meeting. Tours are assigned by where you live. If you are not sure which tour fits, use the AMA contact form and the team will help.

Question 18

Which instruments and ensembles can take part?

Accepted Answer

AMA tours include concert band, concert choir, jazz band, string orchestra, music theater and color guard, with the exact mix depending on the tour.

Question 19

How are tours assigned?

Accepted Answer

Tours are assigned based on where you live. If you are unsure which tour you have been placed on or which fits best, contact the AMA office and they will guide you.

Question 20

What is included in an AMA tour?

Accepted Answer

A student tour includes roundtrip airfare, high-quality hotels, motor coach transportation, breakfasts and dinners, all entrance fees, a full-time experienced tour escort and planned activities every evening, along with the performances. Exact inclusions can vary by tour.

Question 21

Are flights included in an AMA tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Student tours include roundtrip airfare, along with hotels, motor coach transportation and more.

Question 22

What meals are included?

Accepted Answer

During the European portion, breakfast and dinner are included; lunch is not. While participants are gathered at the college before departure, all meals are included.

Question 23

Is there a tour escort with the group?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each AMA tour includes a full-time, experienced tour escort who travels with the group, and student tour evenings are accounted for with planned group activities.

Question 24

Is an AMA tour supervised and safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every tour travels with a full-time experienced tour escort, student tour evenings are filled with planned group activities, and AMA emphasizes serving participants' best interests at all times. For specific safety and insurance questions, contact the AMA office.

Question 25

Where do AMA groups perform?

Accepted Answer

AMA ensembles perform in some of Europe's finest concert halls and cathedrals, in iconic cities across Western Europe, often to warm receptions and strong reviews.

Question 26

What is the tour experience like?

Accepted Answer

Beyond performing, AMA tours include folkloric evenings, visits to castles, cultural and historical sites including World War II sites, and a balance of travel, cultural and musical experiences aimed at building self-reliance and maturity.

Question 27

Is there an orientation or rehearsal before the tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before departure, musicians gather at a college for an orientation and rehearsal session that covers European art and architecture and touring guidelines.

Question 28

How big is a touring group?

Accepted Answer

A student touring ensemble is approximately 150 members, bringing musicians together for a shared, once-in-a-lifetime performance experience.

Question 29

How much does an AMA tour cost?

Accepted Answer

Tour pricing is not listed publicly and depends on the tour, so the best way to get current pricing is to contact AMA directly or leave your details here and the team will follow up. AMA aims to offer the greatest experience for the lowest possible price.

Question 30

How does fundraising work?

Accepted Answer

AMA hosts 2 to 3 fundraisers each year, and all money raised goes to the student's account. Many participants also raise funds on their own or with classmates, and AMA provides tools like sample fundraising letters, a fundraising plan and tips on how to ask.

Question 31

Who sponsors AMA students?

Accepted Answer

Common sponsors include churches or religious organizations, service groups such as the VFW, American Legion and Rotary International, and friends and family. Offering to give a presentation after the tour is often an effective way to attract sponsors.

Question 32

Are there scholarships for AMA tours?

Accepted Answer

AMA points students to fundraising tools and scholarship options, including the SYTA Youth Foundation Road Scholarship for student musical travel. Contact AMA for the latest options.

Question 33

Can someone else pay on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sponsors can make checks payable to American Music Abroad with the participant's name in the memo, or donate through the Payments tab on the AMA website. Payments can also be made at the online booking portal.

Question 34

What are Friends and Family tours?

Accepted Answer

Friends and Family tours are 10-day, 8-night trips, offered with Peak Group Travel, that follow their own itinerary and let relatives attend three of their student's AMA performances. Each student tour has its own Friends and Family registration.

Question 35

How many of my student's performances can I attend?

Accepted Answer

On a Friends and Family tour, you can attend three of your student's AMA performances, while following a separate sightseeing itinerary the rest of the time.

Question 36

How do families sign up for a Friends and Family tour?

Accepted Answer

Each student tour has its own Friends and Family registration link. Contact AMA or watch for details shared at recruitment meetings to register for the tour tied to your student.

Question 37

Can I choose my roommate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A roommate request form is sent in March with choices due in April. Late requests may not be honored, and students without a choice are assigned a roommate based on their preferences.

Question 38

How is band or orchestra seating decided?

Accepted Answer

Seating is based on video seating recordings, which are due by January 15th. Follow the instructions in the January newsletter.

Question 39

How will I get tour information and updates?

Accepted Answer

AMA emails newsletters during the winter and spring with reminders, information and highlights. If you miss one, contact the AMA office and they will catch you up.

Question 40

Can parents travel with American Music Abroad?

Accepted Answer

Not on the student tours themselves, because space is limited. Families can join a separate Friends and Family tour, a 10-day trip that lets them attend three of the student's performances. Details are shared at recruitment meetings.

Question 41

How do I get started with AMA?

Accepted Answer

The best first step is to reach out: students usually need a recommendation from their school music director, and anyone can contact AMA by phone or the contact form to learn about tours and next steps. You can also leave your name and email here and the team will follow up.

Question 42

How do I contact American Music Abroad?

Accepted Answer

You can reach AMA by phone at (610) 431-3311, through the contact form at americanmusicabroad.com, or by mail at 6542A Lower York Road, Suite 144, New Hope, PA 18938. You can also leave your name and email here and the team will follow up.

Question 43

What is AMA's phone number?

Accepted Answer

American Music Abroad can be reached by phone at (610) 431-3311.

Question 44

Where is American Music Abroad located?

Accepted Answer

AMA's office is at 6542A Lower York Road, Suite 144, New Hope, PA 18938. Tours depart for Europe, with a pre-tour gathering at a college.

Question 45

Where can I follow American Music Abroad?

Accepted Answer

American Music Abroad is on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Links are at americanmusicabroad.com.

Question 46

Is there AMA merchandise?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AMA offers merchandise like t-shirts, caps, bags and hoodies. You can find the AMA shop linked from americanmusicabroad.com.

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