I write to thank you for the great pleasure of serving as a clinician at the inaugural festival in Dallas this past weekend. Congratulations to you and your team on a very well run festival (no surprise there from what I’d heard ahead)! Tireless work impacts the lives of many conductors and singers. (North Texas Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)
Dr. Pearl Shangkuan – Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music, Calvin College, MI
I wanted to thank you all for working with my bands back at the Crescent City Jazz Fest. Our top combo and big band both played and had a really amazing experience. The opportunity to get a clinic from, and then play with such amazing musicians was invaluable for them (and me!) I really can’t express how thankful we are for the great experience! Thanks for making a difference to kids! (Crescent City Jazz Festival)
Corry Petersen, Director of Bands, Poudre High School, CO
It was a wonderful venue and a great event! The festival is an exceptional learning experience. (San Antonio Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)
Dorothy Wilson – Choral Director, Cinco Ranch High School, Houston, TX
Thank you for making my students’ experience at the American Classic Choral Festival at Shadow Creek wonderful! The facilities were outstanding! The contest was probably one of the most organized festivals I’ve attended. The students were polite and professional! My kids want to do it again! (Bayou City Classic)
Kimala Eaton Ross – Choral Director, Fort Settlement Middle School, Fort Bend ISD, TX
Had a great day at Bayou City Music Festival and the Pleasure Pier with my choirs! Kids performed well and we had a fun time at the pier! Thanks for running an awesome contest! I highly recommend this festival to my music director friends! (Bayou City Classic)
Joy Tuneberg – Choral Director, League City Intermediate, Clear Creek ISD, TX
If you are a high school director who has been considering participating in the American Classic Madrigal Festival, do it. Participation in this festival over the last few years has made me a better teacher, musician, and conductor. The weeks that we spend intensely preparing for it are some of my most edifying, fulfilling, and downright fun weeks of the year. It is a top notch event every year, competitive yes, but also so very warm and supportive. You should go for it! (San Antonio Madrigal & Chamber Choir Festival)
Cynthia Douglas, Choral Director, Cypress Ranch High School, Cy Fair ISD, TX
Thanks again for the opportunity to perform yesterday- what a beautiful venue! (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)
Jill Fetty, Choral Director, Clear Springs High School, Clear Creek ISD, TX
Just wanted to say thank you for convincing me to participate in the festival. My girls are over-the-top excited. (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)
Daryle Freeman, Choral Director, Davis High School, Aldine ISD, TX
What a great contest to have without the stress of UIL! Thank you for thinking of it and making it happen! We are honored and thrilled to be recognized! (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)
Caroline Cavenaugh Woodard, Choral Director, Porter High School, TX
Thanks for the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space. I’m thrilled my kids got to experience it. It was nice to have a quality contest without having to drive several hours away. (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)
Jason Watt, Choral Director, Kingwood High School, TX
That was a great festival, and at this point, I’m looking at switching to American Classic for all my festival needs. (Celebration of Excellence Festival)
John Richardson, Elkins High School, Fort Bend ISD, TX
We had a great time! The constructive comments helped us make final adjustments before UIL competition. Thanks again for putting this festival on my radar! (A Celebration of Excellence Festival)
Clay West, Choral Director, Conroe High School, TX
My trips abroad with jazz bands have been worry-free because of American Classic Tours’ detailed planning, personal attention, outstanding service, quality accommodations, and great value.
Mary Jo Papich – Jazz Education Network Co-founder, Peoria, Illinois
Our Italian guide was extremely active (the woman has so much energy!). The kids loved her, and she dealt with a lot of situations on the spot. The transition to our guide in Spain was good as well. Great concerts! (Italy/Spain tour)
Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, D.M.A., Director of Choral Activities, Carthage College, MN
I want to thank American Classic Tours—on this and our three previous tours, you’ve given us moments that will remain with us for a lifetime. From playing along Lake Luzerne (the most beautiful venue in which I’ve conducted!), to the wonderful finale in Oberammergau (four encores—-who knew?!?), we had a fantastic tour. And kudos to your drivers and tour guides for the bonus of Lichtenstein. (Germany, Switzerland tour)
Roger Tabler – Music Director, Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, PA
I have been on four tours with American Classic Tours, twice to Europe, to Australia and New Orleans with groups ranging from 2 to 215. Each time, ACT customized a wonderful tour for both staff and students! They have many former music teachers on staff, so they really do understand how music trips function. They also stick with you every step of the way. Representatives were present at the initial kick off meeting, and we received support all the way through the end of our trip with great follow up afterward. I wouldn’t go with anyone else. (Australia tour)
John G. Hermanson – Director of Orchestras, Fort Collins High School, CO
The HPHS choir trip to Spain was everything we hoped for and more, featuring a tour route that our school Spanish teachers agreed would be the most educational, historical, and cultural. The students were enthralled with every city we visited. Our every need was attended to by our ACT and local guides. As always, the concerts were meaningful. The venues were exciting and the audiences attentive and appreciative. We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful trip. (Spain tour)
Cheri Owens, Choral Director, Highland Park High School, IL
We had a wonderful guide on our trip–friendly, informative and resourceful. I appreciated not only the factual information, but also how well the culture of each area was brought to us. Also, my compliments to our skilled and safe driver. He was quite personable and the bus was always immaculate! (Germany/Austria & Hungary tour)
Michael Lysinger – Choral Director, JJ Pearce High School, Richardson
The trip was awesome! The three concerts were some of the best concert experiences we’ve ever had abroad and we had an expert tour guide. (Norway/Sweden & Finland tour)
Scott Bonasso – Choral Director, St. John’s School, Houston
