BRT Best of: Top Venues for Every Group
Travel Notes
As directors, you watch your students perform dozens of times throughout the school year – in class, during rehearsals and in performances. But we’ve heard time and time again from directors that watching their students perform on tour is the most meaningful moment of the trip. Why?
Because something magical happens when students walk onto an unfamiliar stage. For a moment, they’re no longer chatty teens, but poised performers ready to share their music with the world. Sometimes all it takes is a new stage to bring out the best in student performers and boy, have we got some stages for you to consider!
We’ve shared some of our favorite destinations and student attractions in previous posts; today we’re here to highlight some of our favorite performance venues that bring out the best in the student performers we’ve worked with.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
New York City
Simply stepping into the world’s largest cathedral is awe-inspiring, so imagine how performing in such a sacred space will impact your students. We’ve arranged performances for dozens of groups in this iconic venue and, without fail, every performance leaves us speechless. Students feel the same way! If you’re considering a trip to New York City (one of our very favorite places to share with students), performing at St. John would most certainly be an itinerary highlight.
National Mall
Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capitol is an important destination for students for so many reasons; most notably it’s an opportunity to feel the weight of our nation’s history. The National Mall is considered “America’s Front Yard,” home to monuments, memorials and museums that open students’ eyes to both our past and our future. Performing on the Mall is something your students will never forget, as they entertain Capitol visitors from such a famous historical “stage.”
Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39
San Francisco
A trip to San Francisco just isn’t complete without a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf, the city’s most famous waterfront destination. The Wharf’s Pier 39 has it all – a stunning bay view, shops, restaurants, great crowds and sea lions! Performing by the water in the California sunshine is sure to be a memorable experience for you and your students.
Christ Church Cathedral
Dublin
Music has filled the air in Christ Church Cathedral for hundreds of years – in fact, the cathedral hosted Dublin’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah in 1742! Your students can add their performance to the legacy of beautiful music performed here and return home with once-in-a-lifetime memories of the architecture, history and sanctity of such an ancient space.
Field Museum
Chicago
One of the largest natural history museums in the world, The Field Museum is a Windy City treasure. Musicians and chorale performers alike will enjoy performing alongside SUE, the largest and most complete T.rex specimen on the planet. The Field Museum is part of Chicago’s Museum Campus, which includes the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, so it’s a perfect jumping off point for further Chicago exploration.
Pearl Harbor
Oahu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor is one of our nation’s most historically significant destinations and offers a meaningful performance experience for students. The Harbor itself is home to multiple historic sites, including the shipwreck of the USS Arizona, a floating memorial accessible only by ferry that serves as the final resting place for more than 900 sailors who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. A visit to Pearl Harbor brings classroom lessons to life in a profound and impactful way – performing there gives students the opportunity to honor the sacrifice of so many.
Performing in an amazing venue is just one part of a student performance tour. Your dream trip might include a master class with expert clinicians, marching in a famous parade, roller coasters and thrill rides or a walk through history itself. Whether you’re considering your first trip or simply wondering if working with a travel planner is right for you, we’d love to share all the possibilities available in the custom trips we plan. Here’s to your next adventure!
Performing in an amazing venue is just one part of a student performance tour. Your dream trip might include a master class with expert clinicians, marching in a famous parade, roller coasters and thrill rides or a walk through history itself. Whether you’re considering your first trip or simply wondering if working with a travel planner is right for you, we’d love to share all the possibilities available in the custom trips we plan. Here’s to your next adventure!
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