Iowa
Ambassadors of Music
The Musical Journey of a Lifetime
The Ambassadors of Music tour offers talented high school student musicians an unparalleled opportunity to explore the best of Europe, including the birthplace of classical music itself.
This fifteen-day tour takes students and directors on an adventure through five countries, with once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences throughout our journey and performances for enthusiastic local audiences in historic venues.
Trip Dates
7/6/27 – 7/21/27
Nominate a Student
Educators:
Start here if you are a current music educator nominating one of your students.
Parents & Students:
Start here if your music director has asked you or your child to visit this site to fill out the nomination form.
Nomination: Educators
Nominate a Student
Nomination: Students
Self-Nomination
Note – Completing this form does not commit you to participating in the trip. It will allow you to receive further information and attend an informational meeting.
Meet Your State Coordinator
Dr. Bill Carson
Music travel has been a throughline of Dr. Carson’s story for most of his life: he traveled as a high school and college musician, then integrated performance travel as a band director at both the high school and college level, ultimately serving on more than 150 trips with student musicians over the last 45 years.
Dr. Carson joined the faculty at Coe College in 1990 and today serves as music department chair and director of bands, where he conducts the concert band and the senior honor band. He teaches clarinet and bass clarinet, conducting, and music history courses, and organizes the annual Jazz Summit and Festival of Bands.
He has been with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music since 2000, joining because he wanted to introduce students to the same type of international performance travel that he enjoyed as a young adult. An avid traveler, he was delighted to serve as our Ambassadors city coordinator in Paris in 2024, helping the Ambassadors from other states to get the most from the Paris leg of the tour. Dr. Carson loves watching students grow on tour – as musicians, travelers, friends, and world citizens.
My Favorite Ambassadors Memory
Every day on the Ambassadors of Music tour is filled with unforgettable moments. My absolute favorite memories, though, are from 2008 and 2010, when my wife and our two children took their first Ambassadors tours. There was nothing quite like watching them delight firsthand in all the amazing places, activities, and people that I had been raving about for nearly a decade.
One of the funniest memories occurred on my wife’s first night in Crans-Montana. I tried to discuss plans for the next day with her during dinner, but she was completely spellbound, staring at the beautiful snow-capped mountains across the valley – she didn’t hear a word I said! Even seasoned travelers are in awe of the breathtaking Swiss Alps.
My Favorite Travel Destination
Choosing my favorite non-Ambassadors of Music travel destination is really difficult, because I love discovering new places just as much as I love returning to old favorites. Prague is one city I want to return to again and again. The cultural richness, the amazing classical music scene, the architecture of the old town, the delicious food, and the incredible history make Prague a destination I hope to visit again, soon.
One Thing I Never Travel Without
I never travel without an extra pair of shoes and socks! After a long rainy day (or a hot, sweaty day), it feels great to have clean, dry shoes and socks!
To learn more about Ambassadors of Music:
Fill out the form below and a member of our team will get in touch!
Please Note: Questions regarding dates, pricing, and trip inclusions cannot be answered through this form. Please complete the nomination form at the link on the flyer you received and you will be sent more information regarding the program.