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Your Next Trip is May 30 - June 15, 2025

This international tour is from the great state of Georgia. The Peach State is known for peanuts, the birthplace of Coca-Cola and the home of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 39th president of the U.S. Jimmy Carter. Filled with southern hospitality, Georgia boasts the 8th largest state population and is the filming location for The Walking Dead.

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Current itinerary for Georgia

Most Recent Itinerary Update: January 23, 2024

Friday, May 30

Pre-Tour Camp at Kennesaw State University

Check-in, meet your roommate and begin rehearsals with the Georgia Musicians Abroad.

Saturday, May 31

Pre-Tour Camp

A full day of sectionals and ensemble rehearsals as you prep for our European Performance Tour.

Sunday, June 1

Pre-Tour Camp – Bon Voyage Concert

An early morning and more rehearsal before the Bon Voyage concert for family and friends. Repack your suitcase before bed.

Monday, June 2

Travel Day to Paris

Dorm check-out this morning and transfer to your departure airport. Next stop, France!

Tuesday, June 3

Flights Arrive, Versailles Palace

Arrive in Paris at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. You’ll spend the afternoon at Versailles Palace and the numerous historical buildings, including the one in which, on September 3, 1783, the Government of the British King George III, by signing the Treaty of Versailles, recognized the independence of the 13 United States. Hotel check-in and a good night’s sleep.

Wednesday, June 4

Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Bayeux Tapestry Museum

En route to Omaha Beach this morning, you'll have a chance to stop at Point-du-Hoc, a 40-meter-high cliff where the Elite Ranger Force scaled on D-Day. Omaha Beach is the site of an intense and important battle where the American forces took the German fortifications. Walk the grounds of the Normandy American Cemetery that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. Finish the day at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, a masterpiece of 11th century Romanesque art. The Tapestry tells the story of the events surrounding the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy.

Thursday, June 5

Paris, Seine River, Concerts

You’ll wake up early and board the coaches to travel back into Paris. Keep your eyes on the horizon for your first view of the Eiffel Tower and check out the sights on a Seine River Cruise. The Seine River is the second longest river in France, but by far the best known, as it flows through the middle of Paris. This is one of the most romantic rivers in Europe as it is intertwined through art and films with some of France's most historic cities. All ensembles will have a performance today.

Friday, June 6

Leisure Day in Paris

Today is your day to explore the sights and sounds of Paris at your leisure in staff groups! You can procure tickets to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. Scale the many steps up to Montmartre for an amazing view of the city and wonderful dinner.

Saturday, June 7

Travel Day, Luxembourg, Heidelberg

Today we depart France and travel to Germany. We’ll make a stop for lunch in Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small European country, surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany. Its capital, Luxembourg City, is famed for its fortified medieval old town perched on sheer cliffs.

Sunday, June 8

Tour Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Concerts

This morning, you'll have a chance to tour beautiful Heidelberg with local guides including a visit to Heidelberg Castle. All ensembles will have performances today.

Monday, June 9

Travel to Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein Castle

It’s up early and on the road to Neuschwanstein Castle. Commissioned in 1868 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal retreat, Neuschwanstein's amazing towers and picture-perfect setting have been enchanting visitors and architects since its completion in 1886. Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle is modeled after this Bavarian masterpiece. Catch a glimpse of the Bavarian Alps before heading to Oberammergau, a village of noted wood carvers. Over 2,000 village residents perform a world-famous Passion Play every 10 years, fulfilling a promise made by the town in 1634, if God would spare it from the bubonic plague.

Tuesday, June 10

Zugspitze, Concerts

Today, you'll have a chance to ride by cable car and cogwheel train up Germany's highest mountain the Zugspitze! The Zugspitze is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains and the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria and the Austria–Germany border is on its western summit. All ensembles will have performances today.

Wednesday, June 11

Dachau, Munich, Transfer to Austria

Just northwest of Munich lies KZ gedenkstaette Dachau, the infamous concentration camp that became the model for all other camps established by the Nazi regime across Europe. From its famous motto, inscribed in iron over the camp entrance, "Arbeit Macht Frei" (work makes (you) free), to its now-restored barracks, and to memories of its fine camp orchestra, a visit to Dachau gives insight into the horrors visited on political prisoners, Jews, Gypsies and others prior to and during the Second World War. While it was in operation, more than 200,000 prisoners from over 30 countries passed through Dachau's main gate. U.S. Forces liberated the camp in April of 1945. En route to Austria, you'll have a chance to spend some time for lunch and sightseeing in the Munich city center before arriving in Salzburg.

Thursday, June 12

Tour of Salzburg, Concerts

Enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of Salzburg with your local guide. See the Salzburger Dom, Mirabell Gardens, the River Salzach and the fortress, Hohensalzburg. All ensembles will have a performance today.

Friday, June 13

Transfer to Vienna, Melk Abbey, Concerts

Melk Abbey was constructed in the 1700's, and it is considered one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the world. Designed by Jakob Prandtauer, with a grand view over the Danube, it sits on the ancestral home of the Babenberg dukes (from the 10th Century). The Benedictines assumed control of the castle in the late 11th Century and has operated as their monastery ever since. All ensembles will have a performance today.

Tour of Vienna, Leisure Time, Farewell Dinner

Saturday, June 14

Morning sightseeing begins with a drive along Ring Boulevard, Hofburg Palace and the State Opera. Learn why Bruckner, Brahms, Beethoven and Strauss called this Austrian capital home. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral and see the midday parade of historical figures at the musical Anker Clock. Grab your last souvenirs during leisure time in the city. Enjoy a special farewell dinner tonight in Vienna to celebrate the end of your European adventure!

Flights Home

Sunday, June 15

It’s the last morning of a magnificent tour filled with experiences that will stay with you forever. We’re off to Vienna International Airport for departure. Today you will gain back the six hours you lost on your flight to Paris many days ago! We return to the U.S. excited, enthused and exhausted yet enriched.

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Address: 5348 W. Vermont Street, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN, 46224
Phone: 800.616.1112
Local: 317.637.0837
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Meet Your State Organizers

Learn about your state's organizers and their roles in your upcoming trip.

David Starnes State Coordinator, Conductor

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About David Starnes

Mr. David Starnes served as the Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain HS (GA) from 2020-2023, prior to his retirement from a 34-year career as a music educator. Under his direction, the Chamber Orchestra was selected to perform at the 2023 Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Conference. He served as Assistant Professor and Director of Athletic Bands in the School of Music at Western Carolina University (NC) from 2011-2020 and was the founding Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain HS from 2000-2011. He currently serves as the Program Coordinator for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (IL) as well as the Director of Music at Acworth United Methodist Church (GA) where he conducts the Chancel Choir and orchestra.

During his tenure at Western Carolina University, Starnes was responsible for all aspects of the 500 plus member Pride of the Mountains Marching Band that performed at the Bands of America (BOA) Regional Championships in Atlanta, 2011 and St. Louis, 2018, the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis 2012 and 2015 and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2014 and 2019.

While the Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain HS, they were a 6-time national finalist at the BOA Grand National Championships, named the 2004 AAA National Champion and a four-time Regional Champion. In 2003, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded them the prestigious Sudler Shield of Excellence. The band appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2005 and the Kennesaw Mountain HS Wind Symphony performed at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in 2006.

Mr. Starnes is sought out nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and creative designer. He served as an Education Consultant at Music for All from 1995-2021. While fulfilling this role, his duties included serving as the Program Director for The Honor Band of America, which appeared in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022. Mr. Starnes was inducted into the BOA Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.

Dr. Perry Holbrook Orchestra Conductor

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About Dr. Perry Holbrook

Dr. Perry Holbrook has taught at Walton HS since 2001. Since his arrival, orchestra enrollment has continued to increase from 130 to 400 students. His groups have received eight invitations to perform at The Midwest Clinic, have received three invitations to perform at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference and have performed seven times at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference. Dr. Holbrook’s groups have also traveled and performed internationally, participating in four European concert. String quartets from Walton HS have also performed in Spain.

Active as a guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Holbrook has been a clinician for the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. Conducting engagements include the Tennessee Mid-state Orchestra, Alabama All State Orchestra, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and the Orchestra America Summer Symposium. He has guest conducted honor groups in Texas, South Carolina and Georgia. Dr. Holbrook has presented clinics at The Midwest Clinic, the ASTA National Conference, the GMEA and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention. In 2007, he was the featured clinician at the TMEA Convention, presenting a series of five clinics. In addition to teaching orchestra, Dr. Holbrook teaches AP Music Theory. He was named the S.T.A.R. teacher of Walton HS in 2004.

Several original compositions of Dr. Holbrook are being performed around the country. His composition Someday has been performed by the Kentucky Music Educators All State Orchestra, the South Carolina Music Educators All State Orchestra and at the Indiana Music Educators State Convention. Recently the Dodgen MS Chamber Orchestra placed first at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival performing this composition.

Perry Holbrook holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, a Masters of Music degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University. He received his teaching credentials from the University of Georgia. Dr. Holbrook lives in Atlanta. His daughter Bailey is a freelance cellist. In his free time, he can usually be found outdoors hiking with a camera in his hand.

Patricia Jacobson Choral Conductor

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About Patricia Jacobson

Patricia Jacobson joined the fine arts faculty at Kennesaw Mountain HS in the fall of 2003. She received Bachelor of Music degrees in both music education and vocal performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia, studying with Dr. Margaret Kuhl and her Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, studying with Gary Glaze.

Ms. Jacobson has also done post-graduate work at the Manhattan School of Music, studying voice with Elizabeth Carron and diction with Nicol Castel of the Metropolitan Opera. Prior to coming to Georgia, she was the choral director at Valley Stream Central HS (NY) where she formed the highly successful Women’s Chorus and Chamber Singers. These choirs toured and performed to critical acclaim throughout the northeast and in Great Britain and Scotland. She was also the choir director at the First Presbyterian Church of Far Rockaway.

While in New York, she performed with the Mineola Choral Society and the Richmond Choral Society as soloist under the direction of John Daly Goodwin. In 1997 she joined the staff as one of the directors of Choral/Vocal Music at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA). Choirs at CCCEPA under her direction have exhibited outstanding participation in All-State Chorus events, the Governor’s Honors Program and county-wide competitions.

Since coming to Kennesaw Mountain, her students have also participated in the All-State Chorus events, the Governor’s Honors Program and have placed 1st and 2nd in the state at the GHSA Literary Competition. The Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus were selected to performed at the Georgia Music Educators Conference under Ms. Jacobson’s direction. Ms. Jacobson lives in Marietta with her husband Bruce and their son Matthew.

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Georgia May 30 - June 15, 2025