"I believe that without exception, every member of our tour group had a spectacular time in Spain. Our tour escort was, by a very wide margin, the finest escort with whom I have ever worked. This was the best of six European tours in which I have been a participant or leader. I heard others comment that this was the best Carolina Master Chorale tour of the five taken in the history of the organization. Thank you for arranging excellent venues, hotels, and sight-seeing tours which thrilled our touring members."
Dr. Tim Koch, Carolina Master Chorale
"We really enjoyed the trip. Thank you for helping make it come true! On tour, I enjoyed seeing the kids say “wow” and I know they got a lot out of being in Spain. All of the difficulty with fundraising, etc. was worth it. Traveling makes such a difference to young people and is long-lasting. The MCI staff that I worked with were just great! Very professional, friendly, helpful and I loved working with them. Both tour managers were just excellent!! They were professional, friendly and very hard working. I would recommend them both to anyone!! As a repeat client, I would gladly recommend MCI to any organization."
Jan Colgate, Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra
"I thought the tour ran really well. The sights were very nicely arranged and the accommodations were very good. The concerts were well received and the audiences were very welcoming. The MCI tour manager was truly exceptional. She was one of the best tour managers I have worked with or toured with (9 tours total). She was always available, helpful and fun. She made the trip the experience that it was. It was a really successful tour; all the kids had a really memorable experience."
Aaron Sherman, Instrumental Music Assistant, Lake Forest High School
"It was a fantastic trip! Everyone was very happy, and all the students said it was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to them. Everything about the tour – concert venues, hotels, food, tour buses, etc., was very high class. The parents that traveled with us were amazed at the high level of service and quality. (I, of course, told them that this is what we have come to expect from MCI....consistent quality.) I would be more than happy to be a reference! I'm very pleased with our relationship with Music Celebrations."
Paul Wigley, Lakeville North High School
"I am writing to express my thanks to you for making the Calgary Youth Orchestra tour to Spain and Portugal possible. It was a fantastic experience, and I have nothing but good memories of the music, the cities, and the wonderful attractions. The tour was well-organized and fun-filled, and I met many exciting new people and experienced the life in Spain and Portugal. Tours like this greatly help the development of the orchestra, and cause us to play together and get to know one another, so the orchestra can be even more skillful upon its return home. Seeing all of the awesome tourist attractions, such as the Prado Museum, the Alhambra, and numerous beautiful castles and cathedrals are memories that I will carry and treasure for the rest of my life."
Member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra
"Hotels were all outstanding!! Our Tour Manager was the best we have ever had in Europe, and the city guides were wonderful!! You guys have some great contacts there. Spain was one of those places that I had never realized had so much history and beauty. The Music Celebrations team out did themselves again! I will absolutely travel with MCI again!"
Frank Lestina, Vernon Hills HS, Illinois
"I just wanted to formally thank you for making the trip to Spain such a wonderful experience. The musical experience really was important and valued and truly unique. The orchestra members feel like they improved on this journey, and the performances were something to be very proud of. No one can tell us that there isn't musical value on a tour! Music Celebrations should be used for all of our tours in the future, they were so outstanding!"
Calgary Youth Orchestra
"By all accounts a most successful trip from the music, to the tour company, to the activities and everything else in between. You should all be commended for pulling off such a monumental undertaking. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for this once in a lifetime experience."
Calgary Youth Orchestra
"First of all, we were delighted by the huge crowds at all our venues. They were at least double the amount of people that we could have wished for in our wildest dreams. In Granada, we performed for an amazing crowd of more than 1200. Your staff is excellent - very helpful, patient, calm, and pleasant in all of our dealings. I wish to stress that we had a great tour, and that there were many, many positives. We had several memorable concerts and a multitude of fascinating cultural experiences. We are very grateful to Music Celebrations for providing us with a great experience and you will definitely be our first choice the next time we are considering a concert tour."
Dr. Rodney Wynkoop & Dr. Allan Friedman, Duke University Chapel Choir
