Kentucky Musicians Abroad | Trip Dashboard

The 2027 Kentucky Musicians Abroad groups will offer separate tours for Band and Choir. The two tours will depart Louisville on the same date but arrive in different European cities. These tours will meet for a few days in the middle of the tours. Both groups will be offered a 3-day extension tour in London before returning home.

You can be an international performer!

Musicians Abroad is accepting nominations for our 2027 European Performance Tour. Selected student musicians will travel for two weeks through several European countries while performing alongside other incredible student performers. Nominees should be current grade eight through 2027 graduates.

We will visit: Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France and United Kingdom (Optional Extension)

Our Musicians Abroad tour provides time for sightseeing, local culture, shopping and cuisine. Planes, trains and charter coaches will all be utilized during your tour. The band and choir ensembles will perform in incredible venues in several countries.

Musicians Abroad selects educators from the top music directors in your state or region with proven success and a commitment to encouraging students to be their best.

Welcome Band Members

Nominate your students today

The Nominate a Student button allows teachers to submit single nominations. It is also perfect for students or parents to self-nominate.

Nominate a Student

Selection criteria are focused on both the student's musical excellence as well as their character and maturity. We encourage music educators to nominate multiple students at once. It is common for directors to submit the entirety of their top ensembles, including those students who are seniors graduating this spring as they are still eligible to participate after completing their freshman year of college.

The Nominate Multiple Students button provides an Excel sheet download. Complete the required data for as many of your top students as you like. Complete the short form and attach the Excel file and click submit to complete.

Nominate Multiple Students

Itinerary (Click Here to Expand)

Wednesday, June 23, 2027

Check In, Rehearsal

Get checked in for camp. The day will include rehearsals and time to meet your newfound friends.

Thursday, June 24, 2027

Rehearsal Day

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

Friday, June 25, 2027

Rehearsal Day

Get a hearty breakfast as it's another full day of sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.

Saturday, June 26, 2027

Rehearsal Day

Breakfast is followed by our last full day of sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.

Sunday, June 27, 2027

Rehearsal, Bon Voyage Concert

Your final rehearsals occur throughout the day as we finish up camp and prepare to leave the USA. The day will culminate with a concert for your family, friends and supporters. We transfer to Chicago this evening for departures tomorrow.

Monday, June 28, 2027

Travel Day - Flights to Europe

It’s up early to do your final packing as we depart from Chicago O'Hare airport for your flight to Europe!

Tuesday, June 29, 2027

Arrive in Prague, Walking Tour

We'll arrive early today and immediately take in the Prague Old Town Guided Walking Tour. Stroll through the historic heart of the city, showcasing centuries of art, architecture and stories. You’ll explore landmarks like the Old Town Square, with its famous Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Baroque St. Nicholas Church. The tour typically winds through narrow medieval streets, along the Royal Route, past the Powder Tower and often includes the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) with its synagogues and old cemetery.

Wednesday, June 30, 2027

Prague Castle District, Concert

Start the morning with a hearty breakfast before we begin our day of sightseeing. This morning's visit to the Prague Castle District will include visits to the St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane. Early evening, delight the crowd during our first concert performance followed by dinner in Prague.

Thursday, July 1, 2027

Ceský Krumlov Castle, Travel to Salzburg, Austria

Pack up and get some breakfast before we leave for Austria. Along the way, we make a stop at Ceský Krumlov, Only 20 kilometers from the Austrian border lies the small South Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Wrapped around a bend of the River Vltava and its famous 13th century castle, it is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The chateau itself has over 40 buildings and a grand cylindrical tower from the 16th century, and the town is dominated by the great gothic church of St. Vitus. Just over 100 miles (190 km) from Prague, this quaint hamlet is a delight to visit. We arrive in Schladming to check into our hotel and dinner before getting a good night rest.

Friday, July 2, 2027

Old Salzburg Tour, Mozart's Birthplace, Salzburg, Concert

After breakfast, we embark on a walking tour of Salzburg Old Town, Baroque Old Town, Hohensalzburg Fortress , Salzburg Cathedral and St Peter’s Catacombs and Cemetery. We will also visit Visit to Mozart's Birthplace. Enjoy an afternoon of sights and prepare for our concert in Mirabell Gardens.

Saturday, July 3, 2027

Dachau Concentration Camp, Garmish

Grab breakfast at the hotel and load the coaches for our trip to Munich. Just northwest of Munich lies KZ Gedenkstätte 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, people of the Jewish Faith, Romani peoples, 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 1945. After our visit we continue on to Garmisch to check into hotel and enjoy a group dinner.

Sunday, July 4, 2027

Neuschawstein, Oberammergau, concert

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Commissioned in 1868 by (Mad) King Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal retreat, and built in homage to composer Richard Wagner, 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. This evening we will join the Kentucky Musicians Abroad Choir tour for a joint concert and dinner in Oberammergau.

Monday, July 5, 2027

Travel to Champery, Switzerland

Enjoy a traditional breakfast before we head to Switzerland. Tonight, dinner in beautiful Champery, Switzerland.

Tuesday, July 6, 2027

Matterhorn, Zermatt

We are up early for breakfast then off to the Cog Railway leading to Zermatt. The Matterhorn is one of the most iconic mountains in the Alps, known for its striking pyramidal shape and sharply defined ridges. Straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, it rises to 4,478 meters (14,692 ft). Its dramatic silhouette dominates the resort town of Zermatt, making it a symbol of the Swiss Alps and a popular destination for climbers, hikers and sightseers. After dinner in the village, we return to Champery for some rest.

Wednesday, July 7, 2027

Champery Leisure Day, Shopping

Today is a relaxed day to spend exploring the Champery area. We will also perform a concert in the area and enjoy a Swiss Folklore Fondue Dinner.

Thursday, July 8, 2027

Travel to France

Make sure pack all your souvenirs and enjoy a wonderful breakfast before we make our way to France. Tonight we will have dinner in Paris.

Friday, July 9, 2027

Louvre, Concert, Latin Quarter

It's an action packed day after breakfast as we visit the sights of Paris. The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument renowned for its vast collection of art and artifacts. It houses thousands of works, including masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People." The Louvre's stunning glass pyramid entrance and its rich history as a former royal palace make it a must-visit cultural landmark. Notre Dame has been restored and is a breathtaking visit for all travelers. Today we will have a concert in Luxembourg Gardens. After the concert, we enjoy dinner in the Latin Quarter/Marais area.

Saturday, July 10, 2027

Eiffel Tower, Paris Sights, Montmartre

You’ll have time today to explore Paris. Don’t miss The Eiffel Tower, an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the River Seine in Paris. It is the tallest structure in Paris and among the most recognized symbols in the world. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, and erected as the gateway to the World's Fair of 1889, it is a premier tourist destination. Nearby attractions or places of interest include the Jardins du Trocadero, the Hotel des Invalides and other shopping and cafes! We finish off the night we climb the steps to Montmartre, first a sacred hill (Roman temples and then the abbey), also the political hillside from Henri IV to the Commune, has preserved its cultural and artistic identity by welcoming the greatest painting movements of the 19th and 20th-century: Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Futurism, Surrealism. Enjoy dinner and the views in this artist town with a special farewell dinner in Montmartre.

Sunday, July 11, 2027

Travel Day - Flights Home

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

Sunday, July 11, 2027

London Extension

If you decide to add one more stamp to your passport, load the Eurostar Train as we zoom across the channel to London and the United Kingdom. We'll enjoy a guided bus tour of the city before dinner and leisure time.

Monday, July 12, 2027

London Sights

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have the day free to explore London. One option is to take in the Tower of London. Standing guard by the River Thames, The Tower is an impressive London landmark. Discover the secrets that lie within its walls, marvel at the breathtaking Crown Jewels, stand on the site where three English queens were beheaded and explore the myths and legends that make a visit to The Tower a memorable day out. Enjoy dinner in the city and find space for all your souvenirs as we pack to return back to the states.

Tuesday, July 13, 2027

Travel Day - Flights Home

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

Itinerary updated as of 03.13.26

Download Itinerary

Parent and Student Meeting Schedule (Click Here to Expand)

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 26, 2026
1:00 PM EST
University of Louisville - School of Music - Bird Recital Hall
105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Room 161- south side of building
Hosts: Frederick Speck and Kent Hatteberg, directors
502-852-5495 Speck or 502-852-0822 Hatteberg

Sunday, April 26, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Bowling Green HS - Band Room
1801 Rockingham Avenue, Bowling Green, KY 42104
Hosts: Anjali Sivaainkaran, Robbie Fudge
270-746-2300

Sunday, May 3, 2026
2:00 PM EST
Franklin County HS - Band Room
1100 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40301
Enter through door number 39 near the rear of building
Hosts: Josh and Melissa Toppass
502-386-8975

Sunday, May 3, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Oldham County HS - Band Room
1150 N Hwy 393, La Grange, KY 40031
Host: Dan Klipper
502-222-9461

Sunday, May 10, 2026
1:30 PM CST
McCracken County HS - Auditorium
6530 US Highway 60, Paducah, KY 42001
Host: Steven Page
270-559-5682

Sunday, May 10, 2026
7:00 PM CST
Muhlenberg County HS - Band Room
501 Robert Draper Way, Greenville, KY 42345
Use ramp to the right of the concert hall. Entrance to the band room will be on the left
Host: Troy Stovall
270-543-0663

Monday, May 11, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Eastern HS - Auditorium
12400 Old Shelbyville Rd., Middletown, KY 40243
Host: Adam Miller
812-786-2949

Thursday, May 14, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Madison Southern HS - Auditorium
279 Glades Road, Berea, KY 40403
Drive around behind the school for best access
Host: David Ratliff
859-582-3767

Sunday, May 17, 2026
2:00 PM EST
Central Hardin HS - Band Room
3040 Leitchfield Road, Cecilia, KY 42724
Hosts: David and Staci Centers
502-544-5577

Sunday, May 17, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Owensboro HS - Auditorium
1800 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301
Host: Aaron Klausing
859-221-7575

Monday, May 18, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Ryle HS - Band Room
10379 U.S. Highway 42, Union, KY 41091
Host: Joe Craig
859-384-5300, ext. 71331

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Montgomery County HS - Band Room
724 Woodford Drive, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
Enter the student parking lot at the guard shack. Park in the student parking lot adjacent to the guard shack and main school building. Enter band room by walking up a short driveway between the two gyms. You will see a garage door directly to the left of the entrance.
Host: Rob Rawlings
859-351-6110

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Hazard Independent HS - Library
157 Bulldog Lane, Hazard, KY 41701
Just off Route 15
Hosts: Pauletta Smith, Jon Day
606-438-5511

Thursday, May 28, 2026
7:00 PM EST
Floyd Central HS - Band Room
6575 Old Vincennes Rd., Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
Performing Arts Entrance
Hosts: Scott Cooksey, Paul Shepherd
502-552-5008

Sunday, May 31, 2026
1:30 pm EST
Marksbury Branch, Lexington Public Library – Community Room
2197 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40504
Hosts: Kris Olson, Ryan Marsh, Tiffany Marsh
859-744-6111, ext. 3119

Sunday, May 31, 2026
7:00 PM EST
University of Louisville - School of Music - Bird Recital Hall
105 W Brandeis Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Room 161- south side of building
Hosts: Frederick Speck and Kent Hatteberg, directors
502-852-5495 Speck or 502-852-0822 Hatteberg

Meetings updated as of 03.13.26

Download Meeting Schedule

Welcome Choir Members

Nominate your students today

The Nominate a Student button allows teachers to submit single nominations. It is also perfect for students or parents to self-nominate.

Nominate a Student

Nominate Multiple Students

Itinerary (Click Here to Expand)

Wednesday, June 23, 2027

Check In, Rehearsal

Get checked in for camp. The day will include rehearsals and time to meet your newfound friends.

Thursday, June 24, 2027

Rehearsal Day

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

Friday, June 25, 2027

Rehearsal Day

Get a hearty breakfast as it's another full day of sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.

Saturday, June 26, 2027

Rehearsal Day

Breakfast is follow by our last full day of sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.

Sunday, June 27, 2027

Rehearsal, Bon Voyage Concert

Monday, June 28, 2027

Travel Day - Flights to Europe

It’s up early to do your final packing as we depart from Chicago O'Hare airport for your flight to Europe!

Tuesday, June 29, 2027

Arrive in France, Montmartre

Welcome to France! We start our European tour by climbing the steps to Montmartre. Montmartre, first a sacred hill (Roman temples and then the abbey), also the political hillside from Henri IV to the Commune, has preserved its cultural and artistic identity by welcoming the greatest painting movements of the 19th and 20th-century: Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Futurism, Surrealism.

Wednesday, June 30, 2027

Louvre, Notre Dame, Concert

It's an action-packed day after breakfast as we visit the sights of Paris. The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument renowned for its vast collection of art and artifacts. It houses thousands of works, including masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People." The Louvre's stunning glass pyramid entrance and its rich history as a former royal palace make it a must-visit cultural landmark. Notre Dame has been restored and is a breathtaking visit for all travelers. Today the choir will perform in the Madeleine Church.

Thursday, July 1, 2027

Travel to Champéry, Switzerland

houses thousands of works, including masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's ""Mona Lisa"" and Eugène Delacroix's ""Liberty Leading the People."" The Louvre's stunning glass pyramid entrance and its rich history as a former royal palace make it a must-visit cultural landmark. Notre Dame has been restored and is a breathtaking visit for all travelers. Today the choir will perform in Jardin de Luxembourg."

Friday, July 2, 2027

Matterhorn, Zermatt

Saturday, July 3, 2027

Leisure Day, Shopping, Concert

Sunday, July 4, 2027

Travel to Garmisch, Germany, Concert

After breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to Germany. We will check into our hotel in Garmisch and share a joint concert and dinner with the Kentucky Musicians Abroad Band in Oberammergau.

Monday, July 5, 2027

Neuschwanstein Castle

After breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Commissioned in 1868 by (Mad) King Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal retreat, and built in homage to composer Richard Wagner, 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. We will return to our hotel in Oberammergau and enjoy dinner.

Tuesday, July 6, 2027

Travel to Salzburg, Austria

After breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to Germany. We will stop to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Commissioned in 1868 by (Mad) King Ludwig II of Bavaria as his personal retreat, and built in homage to composer Richard Wagner, 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. We will check into our hotel in Oberammergau and enjoy dinner.

Wednesday, July 7, 2027

Mozart's Birthplace, Concert

Enjoy the sights of the city and visit the birthpalce of Mozart. Today we will perform a recital in Salzburg Cathedral.

Thursday, July 8, 2027

Trave to Prague, Cesky Krumlov Castle

Make sure you get a good breakfast prior to leaving for Prague. We will stop along the way for a guided tour of Cesky Krumlov Castle. Check in to hotel and enjoy dinner in Prague.

Friday, July 9, 2027

Walking Tour of Prague, Concert

Make sure you get a good breakfast prior to leaving for Prague. We will stop along the way for a guided tour of Cesky Krumlov Castle.

Saturday, July 10, 2027

Prague Castle District, Concert

After breakfast, we take in the Prague Old Town Guided Walking Tour. Stroll through the historic heart of the city, showcasing centuries of art, architecture and stories. You’ll explore landmarks like the Old Town Square, with its famous Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Baroque St. Nicholas Church. The tour typically winds through narrow medieval streets, along the Royal Route, past the Powder Tower and often includes the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) with its synagogues and old cemetery. Today will also be a concert in Salvator Church.

Sunday, July 11, 2027

Travel Day - Flights Home

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

Sunday, July 11, 2027

London Extension

If you decide to add one more stamp to your passport, we will head to Prague airport for a flgiht to London and the United Kingdom. We'll enjoy a guided bus tour of the city before dinner and leisure time.