Indiana Musicians Abroad | Trip Dashboard

Welcome to Indiana Musicians Abroad

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This international tour will be with the group from the great state of Indiana. Known for fast cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and as the amateur sports capital of the world, the Hoosier State is the 17th most populous state in the U.S. Musicians Abroad is proud to receive an endorsement from the Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA) and Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA).

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Current itinerary for Indiana

Your exact trip will be different however, your itinerary will include up to eight countries and as many as seven performances.

Day 1

Check In, Meet & Greet and Rehearsal

Get checked in to the hotel, meet your roommate and move into your room. The evening will include rehearsal, dinner, and recreation time with your newfound friends.

Day 2

Rehearsal Day

After breakfast, you’ll spend a full day in sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.

Day 3

Rehearsal, Bon Voyage Concert

Your final rehearsals occur throughout the day and culminate with a concert for your family, friends and supporters. Pack up tonight so you are ready to depart early tomorrow morning.

Day 4

Travel Day

Load the coaches and transfer to the airport for departure to the United Kingdom.

Day 5

Arrive in London, Windsor Castle

Welcome to London! Pass through customs and grab your luggage. We will transfer and tour Windsor Castle, check in to your hotel and enjoy a nice dinner. Get some much needed sleep!

Day 6

London Sights, Concerts

Enjoy the sights and sounds and learn about the city on a guided panoramic tour. You’ll have some time to lunch in Borough Market, a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, dating back to at least the 12th century. The Concert Choir and String Orchestra will perform.

Day 7

London Sights, Concert

After an early morning breakfast, off we go to experience the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Changing of The King’s Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace at 10:45 a.m.. Next, you’ll visit the Tower of London, officially His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortres. The Tower of London is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames. The Concert Band will have a performance then you’ll have a leisurely evening to enjoy the city. You might want to see a Broadway show in the West End.

Day 8

Ferry Ride, Paris

You’ll be up early to check out of the hotel as we make our way to France. Board the ferry in Dover and arrive in Calais. On to Paris and hotel check in and dinner.

Day 9

Paris Sights, Concerts

Paris is the city of love and offers many sights including Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and The Louvre Museum. Shopping and the excitement of the city abound. The Concert Choir and String Orchestra perform followed by a dinner cruise on the Seine River.

Day 10

Palace of Versailles, Concert, Montmartre

After breakfast, you’ll board the coaches to travel to Versailles Palace, the summer palace of Louis XIV. Admire the state apartments, Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors. There are numerous historical buildings in Versailles, including the one in which, on September 3, 1783, the Government of British King George III, by signing the Treaty of Versailles, recognized the independence of the 13 United States. Following the Concert Band performance, we’re off to Montmartre. The charming hilltop Montmartre district, also known as La Butte, is a former artists’ village once inhabited by Picasso and Dalí, and home to the domed Sacré-Cœur basilica. Scale the many steps up to Montmartre for an amazing view of the city and wonderful dinner.

Day 11

Travel to Switzerland, Swiss Folklore Dinner

Time to load up the suitcase and board the coaches. You’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of the terrain as we travel to Switzerland. Tonight, we will have dinner in Lucerne.

Day 12

Walking Tour of Lucerne, Concerts

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Lucerne. All three ensembles will have performances today followed by dinner and some rest ahead of a busy day tomorrow.

Day 13

Mount Pilatus, Travel to Germany

Grab a good breakfast and check out of the hotel. You’ll see breathtaking views from Mount Pilatus, a mountain massif overlooking Lucerne in Central Switzerland. It is composed of several peaks, of which the highest is named Tomlishorn. Then we’ll be off to Germany. After a quick stop for lunch in Vaduz, a small alpine town which serves as the capital of Liechtenstein, we arrive in Oberammergau for the night. Check in and have dinner at the hotel.

Day 14

Dachau, Concerts

Just outside Munich, you’ll experience Dachau Concentration Camp. Dachau was one of the first concentration camps built by Nazi Germany and the longest running one, opening in March of 1933. The camp was initially intended to intern Hitler’s political opponents, which consisted of communists, social democrats and other dissidents. You’ll have free time for shopping and lunch in Munich then all ensembles will perform at Ammergauerhaus. Dinner tonight will be back in Oberammergau.

Day 15

Travel to Salzburg, Neuschwanstein Castle

Enjoy a great traditional breakfast and load your suitcase once again as we begin our travel to Salzburg. On our way, you’ll visit Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century historicist palace on a rugged hill of the foothills of the Alps in the very south of Germany, near the border with Austria. We’ll also make a stop in Innsbruck before arriving in Salzburg for hotel check in and dinner.

Day 16

Walking Tour of Salzburg, Concerts, Farewell Dinner

Start the day with a hearty breakfast as we begin our final full day overseas. You’ll learn all about Salzburg with a guided walking tour. All ensembles will perform today followed by a special Farewell Dinner.

Day 17

Flights Home

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

Parent and Student Meeting Schedule

In general, you should plan to attend the meeting nearest your home. If you can't make the meeting nearest your home, you may attend any other meeting that fits your schedule. We do encourage students and parents to take advantage of the earliest meeting date possible. Meetings will last approximately one hour. During the meeting, you will meet the music directors and local staff.

Sunday, April 14, 2024 • 3:00 PM
Zionsville MS • Cafetorium
900 Ford Rd, Zionsville, IN 46077
Host • Chris Murray

Monday, April 15, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Pendleton Heights HS • Band Room
1 Arabian Drive Pendleton, IN 46064
Hosts • Chris Taylor, Erin Strayer

Sunday, April 21, 2024 • 3:00 PM
Clark Pleasant MS • Band Room
1354 East Worthsville Road, Greenwood, IN 46143
Hosts • Katy Briel, Kate Lang, Daniel Watson

Sunday, April 21, 2024 • 3:00 PM
Goshen HS • Orchestra Room
401 Lincolnway E, Goshen, IN 46526
Hosts • Chris Taylor, Rachel Horning, Josh Hren

Thursday, April 25, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Northview HS • Choir Room
3150 W. State Road 340 Brazil, IN 47834
Hosts • Brenda Buchanan, Scott Bradford

Sunday, April 28, 2024 • 3:00 PM
Helfrich Park MS • Cafeteria
2603 W Maryland St, Evansville, IN 47712
Host • Doug Goodwin

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Carroll HS • Small Auditorium
3701 Carroll Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818
Hosts • Chris Taylor, Doug Hassell, Tavis Schlicker

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Carmel HS • Room P152
520 E Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
Hosts • Nicole DeGuire, Heather Nieto, Eric Thornbury

Thursday, May 2, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Bedford North Lawrence HS • Band Room
595 Stars Blvd, Bedford, IN 47421
Hosts • Scott Bradford, Jim Jones

Monday, May 6, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Silver Creek HS • Band Room
557 Renz Ave, Sellersburg, IN 47172
Hosts • Jenny Jochim, Doug Goodwin

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • 6:00 PM
Munster HS • Band Room
8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321
Hosts • Nicole DeGuire, Elliot Smith

Meetings updated as of 04.17.24

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Musicians Abroad is proud to receive an endorsement from the Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA)

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Address: 5348 W. Vermont Street, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN, 46224
Phone: 800.616.1112
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Chris Taylor State Coordinator

View Chris Taylor's Bio

About Chris Taylor

Christopher Taylor is currently in his 23rd year of teaching music. He is the Director of Bands at Pendleton Heights HS in Pendleton (IN). He began his career at Anderson Highland HS. Under his direction, the Highland Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA) Conference. The marching band was successful in Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) field shows, placing 5th in Class B State Finals and the Indiana State Fair Band Day earning 1st place in 2005. Since Christopher was at Highland, the marching band performed in the Walt Disney World and Disneyland parades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Indianapolis 500 Parade and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

At Pendleton Heights, he has helped increase membership in all areas of the band program. The Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble received superior ratings every year since his arrival. The Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2013 and 2022 IMEA Conference, Percussion Ensemble was selected in 2016, and the Jazz Ensemble in 2021. The marching band placed 2nd in the Mid-States Championships in 2017. In 2018, they reached the ISSMA State Finals for the first time in school history and repeated that feat in 2019 and 2021. They were selected to participate in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parades, Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Indianapolis 500 parade.

His involvement in IMEA includes serving as a clinician and state chair for the Non-Competitive Festivals. chair of the honor band and chair of the Beginning Teachers Workshop. Christopher recently completed a term as President. He has served on staff for the Indiana All-Star Marching band. Christopher also directs the Directors’ Jazz Orchestra, a group of music teachers from the area who perform throughout the year. The group was selected to perform at the 2005, 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2023 IMEA Conferences. He is a zone representative for the ISSMA and has served on the Indiana Bandmasters Association (IBA) and Indiana Jazz Education Association board. He was inducted into the honorary bandmaster fraternity, Phi Beta Mu, in 2012. He has also served as a conductor for the IBA All-Region Band.

Nicole DeGuire Orchestra Director

View Nicole DeGuire's Bio

About Nicole DeGuire

Nicole DeGuire is Associate Director of Orchestras at Carmel HS and an avid free-lance violinist with numerous orchestras across the state of Indiana.

Earning her B.M. in Violin Performance with Honors at Butler University, she went on to complete her M.M. in Violin Performance and Literature, as well as an Orchestral Studies Diploma from The Eastman School of Music.

Prior to Carmel, she was Director of Orchestras at Fishers HS. Her groups earned gold ratings at Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) District Festival and gold ratings With Distinction at ISSMA State Qualifications. The FHS Symphony Orchestra was an ISSMA State Finalist in 2017 and 2019 and performed at the IMEA Conference, Disneyworld, Chicago and New York City.

Nicole has extensive orchestral experience performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic. Other professional orchestral experience includes Rochester Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, Albany Symphony Orchestra and South Bend Symphony Orchestra. She has also played with many local symphony orchestras, such as Muncie, Anderson and Lafayette Symphony Orchestras.

She maintains an active private violin/viola/piano studio, serves as a guest clinician/coach for middle and high school orchestras, has been an adjudicator for the Middle Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Concert Performance Assessment, and the Anderson University Concerto and Aria Competition. Ms. DeGuire is the Indiana American String Teachers Association (ASTA) All-State Orchestra Coordinator, violin faculty for the Music For All National Festival and Summer Symposium, a member of the ISSMA State Board and was the 2020 Indiana ASTA High School Orchestra Teacher of the Year.

Scott Bradford Choral Director

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About Scott Bradford

Scott Allen Bradford made his Castlewood conducting debut at the Tribute to America concert on June 4, 2016, at the Pershing Auditorium in the Indiana War Memorial. Mr. Bradford had retired after 32 years as a music educator for Beech Grove City Schools where he was the Music Department chair as well as Director of Choral activities, assistant band director and auditorium director. He currently serves as the Choral Education Director for Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) and holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University as well as a Master in Music for Choral Conducting from the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Mr. Bradford’s career has included programming concerts for intermediate, secondary and collegiate level performances; entertaining professionally at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and The American Cabaret Theater and performing as a singer/dancer at Union Station and various national theme parks. He has served as adjunct faculty for Marian University and teaches online music theory as faculty for Indiana Online Academy. His conducting experiences have placed Mr. Bradford on stages both locally and internationally including Clowes Memorial Hall, New York Trinity Chapel, Hong Kong Arts Centre and Sant’ Agnese in Agone, Italy and guest conductor for the Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway, the Madison County Choral Festival and the Indiana Vocal Jazz Fest.

Trae Blanco Guest Conductor

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About Trae Blanco

Dr. Trae Blanco serves as Director of Bands at Butler University (IN) where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and administers the band area. After completing his BME at New Mexico State University (NMSU), Dr. Blanco has served as Director of Bands at Las Cruces HS (NM). Dr. Blanco holds a DMA in wind conducting from the Herberger Institute at Arizona State University and a MM in Wind Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Prior to coming to Butler, Dr. Blanco served as Director of Bands at Murray State and the University of Southern Maine.

In July 2015, Dr. Blanco was a guest conductor with the United States Army Pershing's Own Concert Band in Washington, D.C. and in both 2015 and 2016 Dr. Blanco was a finalist in the American Prize in Wind Conducting. Dr. Blanco has published articles with the NBA and WASBE journals and has been an invited presenter at the state conventions of West Virginia, Maine, The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the 2019 WASBE International Convention in Bunol, Spain and the upcoming 2024 conference in Seoul, South Korea.

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Indiana June 8-24, 2025