Tour HIGHLIGHTS
Here is your chance for the experience of a lifetime as a member of Bayou Musicians Abroad.
1. Experienced leaders who have traveled and performed in Europe on many occasions.
2. A traveling staff of outstanding Music Advisors and chaperones drawn from music educators across the area.
3. A tour backed by the expertise of the professionals at Music Travel Consultants, based in Indianapolis.
4. Carefully arranged concert sites for the countries we visit.
5. Comfortable accommodations with excellent hotels in each country.
6. An itinerary that features a careful selection of large cities with their iconic landmarks, picturesque mountains and landscapes and smaller towns with their charm.
7. A tour that brings music, history and culture together for all participants.
8. An opportunity to meet other talented musicians at our rehearsal camp preceding the tour. Often the bonds made at our camp last many years.
9. An opportunity to share our music with European audiences. Their warm embrace won’t be forgotten.
10. A chance to broaden one’s horizons, to be a richer person, to appreciate the similarities and differences among cultures and to return to the United States as a more thoughtful, appreciative citizen. You will come to understand that we are much more alike than we are different.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
WHAT DOES THE LAND PACKAGE COST INCLUDE?
All concert arrangements, tourist class hotels with bath or shower, two meals per day, all sightseeing per itinerary, necessary entrance fees per itinerary, tips, motor coach transportation throughout the tour, driver expenses, music advisors and administration.
CAN I GUARANTEE THE PRICE?
Yes. All payment plans require an initial deposit of $500 on or before June 15. Airfare will be added to the land package cost approximately eight months prior to departure. Additional payment information will be discussed at the enrollment meetings.
WHERE WILL THE REHEARSAL CAMP BE HELD?
Louisiana State University
CAN ADULTS ENROLL?
Yes we encourage adult and sibling travelers to join our exciting Family and Friends tour. CAN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 TRAVEL?
Yes. We make provisions for travelers under 15 with special permission or when traveling with an adult parent or guardian. WHY A CONCERT TOUR?
The music directors are firmly committed to providing an opportunity for student musicians to experience the joy of international travel combined with music-making. In our many years of travel abroad, we have witnessed how participants can be transformed through these experiences.
Spring 2025 Meeting SCHEDULE
In general, you should plan to attend the meeting nearest your home. If you can’t make that meeting, you may attend any other meeting that fits your schedule. We encourage students and parents to take advantage of the earliest meeting dates possible. Meetings will last approximately one hour. During the meeting, you will receive all the details regarding the tour from the music directors, local staff and representatives from Musicians Abroad.
Baton Rouge
Friday, May 2, 2025
6:00 PM
Dutchtown HS - Band Room 13165 LA-73, Geismar, LA 70734
Park in front of the gym and walk to the left side. First set of double doors next to the road behind the band trailers.
HOST: Sheily Bell
Lafayette
Saturday, May 3, 2025
11:00 AM
Southside HS - Band Room
312 Almonaster Rd. Youngsville, LA 70592
Enter school from the main entrance - park to the left. Signs will direct you from the entrance of the school to the band room.
HOST: Billy Hochkeppel
Lake Charles
Saturday, May 3, 2025
4:00 PM
Sulphur HS - Band Room 100 Sycamore St, Sulphur, LA 70663
Park in the bus ramp on Ash Street and along the gravel lots by building 5 and in front of the school on Sycamore Street. Enter the building through the South door of building 5 facing Ash Street.
HOST: Matthew McMillen
Jackson MS
Friday, May 9, 2025
6:30 PM
Pearl HS
500 Pirates Cove, Pearl, MS 39208
HOST: Sarah Little
Airline HS
Friday, May 9, 2025
6:30 PM
Airline HS - Band Room 2801 Airline Dr, Bossier City, LA 71111
Park in north parking lot on Viking Dr. Enter through the doors at the steps across from Regions Bank.
HOSTS: Rebecca Vacha/James Willett
Petal (MS)
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
6:30 PM
Petal HS - Storm Shelter Building 1145 MS-42, Petal, MS 39465
HOST: Dr. Spencer Jones
Thibodeaux/Houma
Friday, May 23, 2025
6:30 PM
Central LaFourche HS - Band Room
4820 LA-1, Raceland, LA 70394
Park on Raceland side of school on Lococo Dr. The band room is in the back of school behind the gate and next to the band trailers.
HOST: Willie Martin
New Orleans
Saturday, May 24, 2025
2:00 PM
Archbishop Rummel HS - Raider Room 1901 Severn Ave. Metarie, LA. 70001
Parking available on Severn Ave. Enter through the black gates near Rummel printed letters.
HOST: Telly Higgins
The meeting schedule is subject to change.
Please visit the website for a complete and updated list of meeting dates, times and locations.
Please direct all questions to bayou@musiciansabroad.com or 800.616.1112
International Performance Tour ITINERARY
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Check In, Meet and Greet – Louisiana State University
Get checked in to the dorms, meet your roommate and move into your room. The afternoon and evening will include rehearsal, dinner and time with newfound friends.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Rehearsal Day
After breakfast, you’ll spend a full day in sectionals and rehearsals working on the performance literature.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
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.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Travel Day
It’s up early as we load the coaches and transfer from LSU to an international airport for your flight to Europe!
Monday, June 22, 2026
Arrive Vienna, Guided Tour
Welcome to Vienna! Pass through customs and grab your luggage. After your overnight flight, our morning sightseeing begins with a drive along Ring Boulevard, Hofburg Palace and the State Opera.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Schonbrunn Palace, Concerts
Visit and tour UNESCO World Heritage Site, Schönbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most important cultural assets, and since the 1960s has been one of Vienna’s major tourist attractions. All ensembles will perform today.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Melk Abbey, Salzburg
Off we go to Salzburg with a stop at Melk Abbey for a guided visit. Tonight we’ll have dinner in Salzburg.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Guided Tour of Salzburg, Concerts
Enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of Salzburg. After the tour you’ll have free time for lunch on your own before concerts by all ensembles and dinner.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Munich, Dachau Concentration Camp, Oberammergau
You’ll have a chance to spend some free time for lunch and sightseeing in the Munich city center. 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. We’ll travel to Oberammergau for the night.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Oberammergau, Zugspitze Mountaintop, Concerts
Today, you’ll have a chance to ride by cable car and cogwheel train up Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze. We return to Oberammergau for some free time and prepare for evening concerts at the Ammergauerhaus.
International Performance Tour ITINERARY
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Neuschwanstein Castle, Swiss Folklore Dinner
Off we go to Switzerland with a stop and tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired the Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle. Catch a glimpse of the Bavarian Alps before heading to Oberammergau, a village of noted wood carvers. We’ll finish the day with a traditional Swiss dinner at the Stadtkeller, a unique combination of good food, music and fun.
Monday, June 29, 2026
Guided Tour of Lucerne, Andermatt Concerts Lucerne, nestled in the heart of Switzerland, is a picturesque city renowned for its stunning lakeside setting and dramatic mountain backdrop. Its charming Old Town features well-preserved medieval architecture, including the iconic Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. All ensembles will perform today.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Travel to Paris
Grab a big breakfast as we begin our travel to Paris! You’ll have some free time for lunch and shopping.
Wednesday, July 01, 2026
Versailles Palace, Concerts
After breakfast, our travel day begins with a visit to Versailles Palace, a symbol of the grandeur of the French monarchy and a masterpiece of 17th-century architecture and design. All ensembles will perform in concert today.
Thursday, July 02, 2026
Normandy, Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Bayeux Tapestry Museum
We’re up early as we make our way to Normandy, Pointedu-Hoc and Omaha Beach. Pay your respects at the American Cemetery and visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum.
Friday, July 03, 2026
Paris Sights, Seine River Cruise Final Dinner
Paris is the city of love and offers many sights including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and The Louvre Museum. Shopping and the excitement of the city abound. Tonight, we will enjoy our final dinner on a Seine River cruise.
Saturday, July 04, 2026
Flights to USA
It’s the last morning of a magnificent tour filled with experiences that will stay with you forever. We’re off to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for departure. Today you will gain back the six hours you lost on your flight to Vienna many days ago! We return to the U.S. excited, enthused and exhausted yet enriched.
+2 OPTIONAL London Extension
Choose to stay for an extra two days and visit London, the capital of England.
Meet Your MUSIC DIRECTORS
Brett Babineaux
Brett Babineaux is in his 27th year of teaching music in Louisiana. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (formerly USL). Currently teaching at Broussard MS, he has held similar positions at Lafayette HS, Seventh Ward Elementary, Henry Elementary and New Iberia Senior HS. He has had the privilege of serving as a guest clinician for honor bands throughout the state and adjudicates various marching band contests and concert band assessments throughout south Louisiana. In 2016, his band proudly performed in Hawaii for the 75th Pearl Harbor Anniversary. Mr. Babineaux’s bands have consistently received superior ratings on all levels of assessment.
Mr. Babineaux currently serves as Immediate-Past President of the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA). His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, LMEA, the Louisiana Music Adjudicators Association, the Southwest Louisiana Band Directors Association and Phi Beta Mu.
Alissa Mercurio Rowe
Damon Talley
Damon Talley serves as Director of Bands and Paula G. Manship Professor of Conducting at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Music where he oversees all aspects of the LSU Department of Bands, conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate conducting. The nationally recognized Band Department at LSU serves as an integral component of the thriving School of Music. Under his leadership, the Department has established an annual conducting symposium, high school and middle school camps that serve hundreds of students annually and numerous outreach events for public school educators.
The Golden Band From Tigerland marching band has been featured at national conferences on multiple occasions and, most recently, the LSU Wind Ensemble performed at the College Band Directors National Association national convention. Dr. Talley is a strong supporter and advocate of music in the public schools. He regularly serves as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad, including engagements in Germany, Switzerland, England and Spain.
Alissa Mercurio Rowe serves as Associate Professor and Galante Chair and Director of Choral Studies at Louisiana State University. She conducts the renown LSU A Cappella Choir who which travel to London in 2025 and perform Jocelyn Hagen’s Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci in the Vox Anima Festival. She is an active adjudicator and guest conductor and has conducted numerous All-State and District Honor Choirs.
Rowe presented research on Individual Assessment in the Choral Rehearsal at the International Conference on Arts and Humanities and at the 2019 National American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Conference. Dr. Rowe received the President’s Award from St. Tammany Parish President, Patricia C. Brister, as Musical Artist of the Year in St. Tammany Parish and was awarded the Southeastern Louisiana University’s President’s Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity.
Greig Ashurst
For over 30 years, Greig Ashurst has developed an impressive conducting and teaching career in many facets of music, technology and educational philosophy across the U.S. Mr. Ashurst is the Band Director and Technology Director at Cathedral-Carmel School in Lafayette, LA. where he was selected as the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year. Additionally, he conducts handbell ensembles and youth choirs at Asbury United Methodist Church of Lafayette.
Mr. Ashurst has conducted bands, orchestras, choirs and handbell ensembles in nearly every US state, Puerto Rico and Japan. Whatever type of ensemble, Ashurst engages audiences with a unique perspective from his diverse musical experiences. As a clinician, Mr. Ashurst has had an illustrious career teaching, conducting and presenting clinics, workshops and keynote addresses throughout the United States. Mr. Ashurst currently serves as president of the Handbell Musicians of America.
Meet Your STAFF
Aaron Theall DeRidder HS
Beth Dupuy Hahnville HS
Billy Hochkeppel Southside HS
James Willett Airline HS
Sheily Bell Dutchtown HS
Spencer Jones Petal HS (MS)
Telly Higgins Archbishop Rummel HS
Willie Martin Central Lafourche HS
Katie Martin Central Lafourche HS
Rebecca Vacha Airline HS
Sarah Little Pearl HS (MS)
Sharon Laird Oak Grove HS (MS) Retired
This BAYOU MUSICIANS ABROAD Tour
Austria Vienna, Salzburg
Ring Boulevard, Hofburg Palace, State Opera, Anker Clock, Melk Abbey, Salzburg Walking Tour, Mozart’s Birth Home
Switzerland Andermatt, Lucerne Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument
Germany Munich, Oberammergau
Zugspitze, Dachau Concentration Camp, Neuschwanstein Castle, Ammergauerhaus
France Paris, Versailles, Normandy
Versailles Palace, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre
Optional Extension: United Kingdom London
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, Crown Jewels
Coordinator: Brett Babineaux
Band Conductor: Damon Talley
Choir Conductor: Alissa Mercurio Rowe
Handbell Conductor: Greig Ashurst bayou@musiciansabroad.com