International Performance Tours
Photo Credit: Jeffery Egge - 2020 International Performance Tour of Australia & New Zealand
“The International Trips I’ve been on have been my favorite experiences in college, by far. Traveling the world is awe-inspiring. Hanging with friends is awesome. However, traveling with your best friends has to be the greatest experience ever.”
SPAIN, MOROCCO, and the CANARY ISLANDS (upcoming trip)
The BMB will take its 9th International Performance Tour from December 2024 - January 2025. From MSP we will fly to Barcelona, where we will spend four days touring the city and playing stage shows. On January 2 we will board the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship for a 10-day luxury cruise, where we will perform shows on the main stage. The band will return to MSP on January 13. The detailed itinerary will be posted here when it becomes available.
Barcelona, Spain; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Casablanca, Morocco; Tangier, Morocco; Seville, Spain; Malaga, Spain
Morrocco will be the BMB’s first-ever visit to the African continent. With six continents in our travel history, we only have Antarctica to go!
BACKGROUND
BMB takes a major International Performance Tour every other year. A BMB international trip is substantially different from the international trip you may have taken with your high school band or choir. While most high school trips last around 10 days with travel limited to a small list of common locations, BMB pushes the envelope and explores exotic destinations that most people aren't likely to visit more than once in their lives. Our tours typically last between 14 and 21 days. Our most recent trip (January 2023) was a 21-day adventure to Colombia, Panama Canal, Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico. In January 2020 BMB traveled to Australia and New Zealand.
GENERAL
The number of destinations and sites you'll visit on a BMB trip is staggering. Unlike high school trips you'll have a lot of free time to explore these sites on your own. You will be given information and prepped on each port of call but you will be basically free at each port to explore the location with your friends.
One of the ways we keep our price so affordable is by performing on cruise ships. BMB has a unique relationship with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines and we are fortunate to get some great deals to perform on board the ship. Partnering with a cruise line not only lowers the cost per day but also allows our students to see a higher number of locations and ensures that meals are covered. Our performances take place in the evenings and/or on days at sea. This way you’ll never miss any port time.
COST
All BMB trip packages includes airfare, ground transportation, all cruise costs, hotel, and most meals. You cost also takes care of all of extra expenses such as shipping our equipment, transportation to the airport, taxes, port charges, and gratuities. BMB members may invite guests (parents, etc.) on the trip at a cost comparable to the student cost.
COURSE CREDIT
You may receive academic credit for participating in the trip. The course is MUSI 290, Music And Culture Abroad, offered Spring. Registering for the trip course is optional. To complete the course you will attend five informational seminars and write a reflective statement after the trip. Registering for the course may also allow you to apply for financial aid to help you pay for the trip.
WHERE DO WE GO?
From Australia to Barcelona, Singapore to Israel, the BMB never goes anywhere “usual.” We prefer to seek out places that students wouldn’t normally go on their own. Not only are you guaranteed to experience new places and cultures, you’ll also be sharing your American experience and traditions with people from all over all the world.
PERFORMANCES
Upon arrival at our initial destination we will spend a few days exploring the city and perform at a local landmark. Examples of past performance locations are the Roman Colosseum, The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sydney Opera House Wharf, the Athens Parliament, and the Singapore Marina Bay. Our time aboard the cruise ship will include several performances in the main theater, which are usually filled to capacity.
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE TOUR HISTORY
2025 Spain, Canary Islands, and Morocco
2023 Colombia, Panama Canal, Panama City, Guatemala, & Mexico
2020 Australia and New Zealand
2018 Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, & Bali
2016 Spain & Italy
2014 Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, & Thailand
2012 Italy, Greece, Israel, & Turkey
2010 Italy, France, & England
2008 Italy and Greece
Where has the BMB been?
(Since 2008)
EUROPE
London, England
Paris, France
Barcelona, Spain
Palma, Mallorca
Naples, Italy
Rome, Italy (3 times)
Florence, Italy
Milan, Italy
Pompeii, Italy
Venice, Italy
Palermo, Island of Sicily, Italy
Cagliari, Island of Sardinia, Italy
Vatican City, Vatican
Athens, Greece (2 times)
Olympia, Greece
Island of Hydra, Greece
Island of Aegina, Greece
Island of Poros, Greece
MIDDLE EAST
Izmir, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Haifa, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
ASIA
Tokyo, Japan
Shanghai, China
Singapore, Singapore (2 times)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2 times)
Penang, Malaysia
Langkawi, Malaysia
Phuket, Thailand (2 times)
Bali, Indonesia
SOUTH PACIFIC
Sydney, Australia
Fjordlands National Park, New Zealand
Tauranga, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand
Dunedin, New Zealand
Akaroa, New Zealand
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
CENTRAL AMERICA
Antigua, Guatemala
Panama Canal, Panama
Panama City, Panama
SOUTH AMERICA
Cartagena, Colombia
NORTH AMERICA
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Mazatlan, Mexico
Acapulco, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Miami, Florida
Los Angeles, California
Chicago, Illinois (many times)
Champaign, Illinois (collaboration w/Marching Illini)
Indianapolis, Indiana (4 times)
St. Louis, Missouri (3 times)
Minneapolis, Minnesota (many times)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (many times)
Green Bay, Wisconsin (3 times)
