Full Steam Ahead
Music Travel Consultants has established itself as an industry leader, earning the trust of a diverse and loyal client base, garnering widespread respect, and demonstrating strong potential for continued growth.
About Music Travel Consultants
What We Do
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.
Our History
Today
2024
MTC Launches GiftLink
Gift Link allows the traveler to efficiently contact family and friends that are invested in their musical journey. This simple, automated process of sending an email describing their upcoming adventure allows their biggest supporters a quick and easy way to provide them with the gift of travel Learn more.
2023
MTC Recognized as Disney PremEar
Music Travel Consultants is honored to be recognized as a Disney PremEar Youth Travel Planner Learn more.
2022
MTC Aquires Bennett Travel
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.
2022
Musicians Abroad is Born
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.
2021
The MTC team is back from the pandemic full force
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.
2020
Covid 19 rocks the travel world
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.
2019
MTC Aquires Heart of America
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.
2018
WGI Sponsorship
Music Travel Consultants becomes the the preferred travel partner of WGI events! Learn more.
2018
Trip Account App
MTC launches the Trip Account app. At no additional charge, Music Directors, Staff, Chaperones and Students may use the information-packed, versatile App before and during their trip. Learn more.
2017
30 Years
Music Travel Celebrates 30 Years of Lasting Memories!
2015
Growth Continues
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!
2014
Employee-Owned
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!
2013
State Fair Band Day
Indiana State Fair kicks off August with a fresh, new sponsor for State Fair Band Day: Music Travel Consultants!
2012
25 Years
Happy 25th Anniversary, MTC! MTC Online used by 95% of groups.
2011
Travel Partner Agreement
Music Travel Consultants named sole Preferred Student Travel Partner by Music for All/Bands of America.
2008
Recession-Proof
Cue foreboding music . . . recession of 2008 grips the country...yet 82% of groups use MTC.
2005
MTC Online
MTC Online debuts to rave reviews of its online trip registration, information and payment system. 25% of groups sign-up this year.
2004
Bands of America
Bands of America names Music Travel one of its preferred travel providers...travel volumes are up 10% over 2001.
2001
MTC Survives
9/11 Attack and aftermath...despite dramatic drop in individual travel, numbers of group travelers are unchanged.
2000
MTC is Sold
Music Travel Consultants is sold July 20th to Star Travel of Bloomington, IN. Leadership, Sales, Operations and Accounting teams remain intact.
1999
Adding Divisions
MTC adds four employees and three new divisions: Entertaining Destinations, 12:8 Productions and Indy Tours.
1997
SYTA
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.
1994
Staff Additions
Music Travel adds key sales staffers. John Sturm purchases Jack Calabrese’s share of the company.
1991
Going International
MTC goes international with its first significant overseas performing group!
1987
Founded
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.!
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