Five Ways to Build Student Interest in your Performance Tour

Whether you are hoping to round out your ensemble’s voicing/instrumentation, trying to fill a bus, or even gathering enough interest to make the trip go at all – building trip interest with your students is a key component of every successful student performance tour.

These tips for building interest ensure that you set your trip up for success – and we’re here to help you at every step.

Get started earlier

Planning and announcing your trip earlier ensures you have access to the best hotel, attraction and performance options, while also giving your families more time to plan financially for the trip. We recommend announcing your trip 12 months prior (and 18 to 24 months for international trips) to ensure families have a full year to prepare. Doing so also allows students to pick up a summer job and build a plan for how they will pay for their own trip – an excellent lesson.

Choose a student-friendly destination

Sometimes a destination that offers fantastic clinicians or unique festivals is not the most exciting place to go from a student’s perspective. On the other hand, meaningful performance, festival and workshop opportunities are the reason for your trip! Finding a destination that offers the right mix of educational and fun experiences helps you accomplish your goals while ensuring that your students are eager to join in the fun.

Find the right blend of special and affordable

When every trip can be tailored to your needs, it can be tempting to pack each moment with first class and exclusive experiences. Resist the temptation! Work with your BRT representative to identify a few “splurges” that are meaningful for your group, and focus on keeping the less important items as affordable as possible. Each group is different, and your BRT representative can help you find the right balance.

Knock your parent meeting out of the park

The trip parent meeting is more than payment dates and permission forms; it’s an opportunity for you to convey the value of educational travel to parents and generate excitement with your students. If possible, schedule the meeting following a concert or event in which most parents will already be in attendance. Review the trip highlights, paying special attention to the items which make your trip special. Outline all that is included in the cost (and what is not). Provide the exact payment dates and amounts, and if possible, include dates of key fundraisers in your initial presentation. Your BRT representative is often available to attend your meeting as a resource for difficult questions or challenges; just ask.

Be realistic – with your students, your parents and yourself

Strong leadership and encouragement from you can make a big difference, but you are not a miracle worker. Be realistic about your goals, your budget and your timeline for the trip. Communicate your expectations to parents and students, ensuring that they understand the commitment and their role in the trip process. Keep the lines of communication open with your BRT representative; when challenges arise, we are here to help.

Need more ideas to help build interest in your trip? Contact your BRT representative, and we will be happy to assist.