email: tennesseeambassadorsofmusic@gmail.com
The Tennessee Ambassadors of Music offer an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding high school musicians from across the state of Tennessee. Established in 1987, this program provides talented young artists with a chance to tour through Europe, presenting their musical talents in some of the continent's most iconic venues. Across almost four decades, the Tennessee Ambassadors have successfully organized 17 tours, enriching the lives of hundreds of young musicians.
Our tour in 2024 was the largest in the history of the Tennessee Ambassadors: 284 in the total entourage, including 73 family members, and 34 professional staff members, and 183 performing students,representing 34 schools from across the state, from Memphis to Gatlinburg, from Pulaski to Clarksville! Concert videos and posts from the trip can be found on our Facebook page!
Bob Rogers Travel is a performance travel partner like no other. They are nationally recognized as a leader in student and youth travel. Since 1981, they have coordinated trips for thousands of student travelers – many of those groups being music performance groups – so they understand the unique needs and logistics of traveling with student performers. BRT's team of veteran music educators and travel industry experts provide comprehensive support, from itinerary design and logistical coordination to on-the-ground assistance, ensuring seamless and memorable journeys. With a focus on enriching travel experiences, Bob Rogers Travel continues to inspire and facilitate adventures that create lasting memories for performers around the world.
The 15-day tour takes participants on a breathtaking journey through several historic and vibrant European cities. The itinerary includes stops in London, Paris, Crans-Montana and Zermatt in Switzerland, Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany, and Bad Hofgastein and Salzburg in Austria. Each destination is carefully chosen to provide the travelers with rich cultural experiences and unforgettable performances.
The Tennessee Ambassadors of Music present five band and choir concerts for enthusiastic European audiences. These performances take place in iconic venues such as Victoria Embankment Garden and St. Matthew’s Bayswater Church in London, the Church of the Madeleine and Jardin d'Acclimation in Paris, and St. Jakob's Church and the historic Rothenburg Marktplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Each concert is a testament to the talent and dedication of these young musicians, providing them with a unique opportunity to share their art with the world.
One of the mottos of Ambassadors of Music tours has always been: taking our music to the world. And during our 2024 tour, we learned, through a message on the BRT Facebook page, that yes, our concerts really do connect! A gentleman from Australia who happened to be in Rothenburg posted:
“So privileged to be in Rothenburg on a tour today and we got to see and hear such great musicianship. My father (96 now) was conductor and musical director of several school orchestras when he was a music teacher in Melbourne Australia. It was a lovely experience for me and other music friends to be there today. Congratulations!”
The Tennessee Ambassadors trip is one of the most inclusive of its kind, ensuring that participants have a comprehensive and enriching experience. Inclusions for the tour are extensive, covering all air transportation to and from Nashville International Airport, ground transportation on first-class European motor coaches, Eurostar rail transportation from London to Paris, and a historic cog train ride to Zermatt. Additionally, the tour includes a river Seine boat tour of Paris, 14 nights of accommodation at handpicked hotels, and at least two meals per day.
The trip includes admission to significant sites such as the Tower of London and Castle Chillon, as well as guided tours that provide in-depth knowledge and context for their visits. Inclusions such as these ensure that Tennessee’s outstanding young musicians have a seamless and immersive experience, allowing them to fully engage with the cultural and historical richness of each destination.
Since its inception in 1987, the Tennessee Ambassadors of Music have upheld a legacy of excellence, fostering a love for music and cultural exchange among young musicians. The program not only provides participants with a platform to showcase their talents but also broadens their horizons and instills in them a lifelong appreciation for the arts and global cultures.
The Tennessee Ambassadors of Music European concert tour stands as a beacon of artistic and cultural enrichment, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the state's most talented high school musicians. Through their performances and travels, these young artists create lasting memories and build bridges of understanding and friendship across continents, contributing to a more harmonious and interconnected world.
Click on the headings below for overviews of how each leg of the tour may unfold!
The tour begins in Windsor and then moves quickly to London, where the Ambassadors are immersed in the city's rich history and grandeur. They may visit iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Windsor Castle. The London Eye offers a panoramic view of the city, and musicals in London's West End Theatre district provide an unforgettable cultural experience.
Next, the tour takes us to Paris, the City of Light, where Ambassadors are greeted by the stunning Eiffel Tower. They may explore the Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Elysees. The Louvre allows visitors to marvel at world-renowned art, while a river boat tour on the Seine provides a unique perspective of the city.
The journey continues to Switzerland, where Ambassadors experience the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps. They visit Crans-Montana and take a historic cog train to Zermatt. Here, the majestic Matterhorn stands as a testament to the natural grandeur of the region. The tour also includes visits to Castle Chillon and Lake Geneva, with a stop in Montreux.
In Germany, our Ambassadors explore the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This picturesque town is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, offering a glimpse into the past. Highlights of a visit to Rothenburg include the historic Rothenburg Marktplatz and St. Jakob's Church, the Nightwatchman's tour, walking the town wall that protected the city from barbarians and invaders for hundreds of years, visiting the Crime and Punishment museum, and shopping at Käthe Wohlfahrt's year-round Christmas store, one of the largest in the world!
The final leg of the tour takes us to Austria, where we'll be staying in Bad Hofgastein, a charming spa resort town located in the Gastein Valley in the Austrian Alps, known for its stunning natural beauty and the healthful effect of its thermal spas.
A major high point of the trip will be a visit to Salzburg. Known for its musical heritage, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and an important center of the development of classical msuic. Salzburg was also the setting for "The Sound of Music." Our Ambassadors can see the gazebo where Liesl and Franz whispered their love to each other, during the film's 'Sixteen Going On Seventeen' duet, at Hellbrun Palace, as well as explore the Salzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, and St. Gilgen, immersing themselves in the rich cultural history of the region.