Music Travel Consultants is a Tour Operator, a travel company that puts together customized trips for its clients. Since 1987, led by accomplished scholastic music directors and musicians, Music Travel Consultants has become the first choice for student music group tours by listening to customers, providing industry-leading online services and by having professional Tour Directors conduct most groups. Focused on creating custom trips that provide relevant, memorable and rewarding student travel experiences, Indianapolis-based Music Travel partners with customers to successfully do just that, in destinations within the United States and worldwide. Over 165 years combined travel expertise earned in over 68 countries means Music Travel Consultants will anticipate your needs and fulfill your group's wishes, without surprises or hidden costs.
Bennett Travel has long provided exemplary travel services in Michigan and surrounding states. When owner Jeff Bennett approached MTC leadership with a need for operations support, Music Travel was happy to help power the BT team and build a relationship that would help both company’s future footprint in the Michigan market. Learn more.
The 2020 Pandemic claimed many lives and businesses as it ripped through the world. One long-standing student travel tradition, Ambassadors of Music, a state organized bi-annual band, choir and orchestra international group was sidelined for two years. In its wake, the travel planner closed their doors. With a strong commitment to the organizers from several states, MTC stepped up to provide a similar opportunity for these ensembles. Musicians Abroad catapulted off an already amazing student experience to one that fit the nature of their existing profile. Rather than offer the same itinerary to every state group year after year, MTC used the power of their extensive international travel knowledge to customize plans that fit the ensemble and students. Two inaugural trips were planned for Indiana and Kentucky for departure in June of 2023. Learn more.
With a brand-new vaccination and a promise of mitigation of the virus, the desire to travel became evident. Music Travel opened the office doors to full staffing in July 2021, anticipating a deluge of groups, hungry for the chance to travel the country and perform in local venues once again.
As the 2020 Pandemic took over the entire world in early March, group travel came screeching to an abrupt halt. From postponed to cancelled trips including some tours stopped mid-trip, the MTC offices went from a bustling business of 25 employees to an empty building with only one financial staffer working through refunds from vendors that were returned to scheduled travelers. Zoom meetings became the communication tool as owners worked diligently to keep employees up to speed on the trajectory of the company. As more knowledge of the virus and resources became available in early 2021, MTC began working with a skeleton staff.
Just after the clock struck midnight on a brand-new decade, Music Travel Consultants entered into a partnership with Heart of America, a prestigious, competitive choir event organizer founded in 2015. Heart of America is committed to providing FAIR, EDUCATIONAL and AFFORDABLE events with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. They believe that students can learn as much off stage as they do on, thus they strive to provide a safe and friendly space where students and parents alike can stay, perform, eat, find age-appropriate entertainment and learn, all under one roof. HOA also offers scholarship opportunities for students through ongoing arrangements with many of their partners and sponsors. HOA continues to grow and cultivate an environment where competition drives excellence; where every student is valued and given the opportunity to succeed. Learn more.
Music Travel Consultants becomes the the preferred travel partner of WGI events! Learn more.
MTC launches the MUSIC TRAVEL app. At no additional charge, Music Directors, Staff, Chaperones and Students may use the information-packed, versatile Music Travel App before and during their trip. Learn more.
Music Travel Celebrates 30 Years of Lasting Memories!
Music Travel presents Music for All State Fair Band Day at Indiana State Fair, first year results show 3 new employees and forecast the biggest increase in number of travelers, year over year, in company history, plus fall debut of feature-rich Music Travel Experience!
Star Travel sells Music Travel Consultants to four MTC employees, on the auspicious date of April first! Good changes made and all staff, tour directors and clients remain “on board.” Educational Destinations, Entertaining Destinations, Indy Tours and 12:8 come along for the ride!
Indiana State Fair kicks off August with a fresh, new sponsor for State Fair Band Day: Music Travel Consultants!
Happy 25th Anniversary, MTC! MTC Online used by 95% of groups.
Music Travel Consultants named sole Preferred Student Travel Partner by Music for All/Bands of America.
Cue foreboding music . . . recession of 2008 grips the country...yet 82% of groups use MTC.
MTC Online debuts to rave reviews of its online trip registration, information and payment system. 25% of groups sign-up this year.
Bands of America names Music Travel one of its preferred travel providers...travel volumes are up 10% over 2001.
9/11 Attack and aftermath...despite dramatic drop in individual travel, numbers of group travelers are unchanged.
Music Travel Consultants is sold July 20th to Star Travel of Bloomington, IN. Leadership, Sales, Operations and Accounting teams remain intact.
MTC adds four employees and three new divisions: Entertaining Destinations, 12:8 Productions and Indy Tours.
Music Travel is a co-founder of SYTA – the Student & Youth Travel Association, a non-profit, professional trade association dedicated to the safety, education and promotion of student group travel. MTC Sales, Operations and Accounting each add a key players.
Music Travel adds key sales staffers. John Sturm purchases Jack Calabrese’s share of the company.
MTC goes international with its first significant overseas performing group!
September 2nd, Music Travel Consultants is founded in Indianapolis by John Sturm and Jack Calabrese, with a mission to serve as Travel planners for the finest performing arts programs in the world.!