Meet Music Travel Consultants Tour Director Bob Medworth
MTC Tour Directors like Bob Medworth orchestrate trip magic, mastering logistics and group plans to run each trip as flawlessly as possible, so directors and travelers can relax and truly enjoy it! A seasoned music educator for 41 years, Bob’s extensive experience allows him to anticipate a band’s every need, build a special rapport with the group and make certain no trip detail is overlooked. We are excited for you to meet Music Travel Consultants Tour Director Bob Medworth!
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Bob retired in 2018, completing a 41-year legacy as band director at Brazil High School and Northview High School in Brazil, Indiana. Bob’s wife, Ruth Ann, directed the color guard and their daughter Whitney was also deeply involved with the band for 20 years. So, the ‘band’ truly felt like the ‘family business.’ Bob’s remarkable career allowed him to develop a great number of friendships and relationships in Brazil that made the job a lot of fun. Bob explained, “Clay County definitely cares about their bands, and the support and culture of the community is perfect for developing and maintaining a great program.”
Teaching and assisting drum corps has been a highlight of Bob’s career. He’s worked with Star of Indiana, Carolina Crown, Blue Devils, Madison Scouts, and the Bluecoats. Bob said, “Not only was that always a tremendous learning experience, but it automatically provided a huge family, within the activity.” Wife Ruth Ann taught color guard at national camps, owns a dance supply business, and has served on the board of WGI. She directed the Indiana State University (ISU) Sparkettes for 11 years, the ISU Color Guard for 6 years, and spent 26 years as the ISU Cheerleading coach. Along the way, her Northview H.S. Winter Guard won two state championships and was 25 times a WGI finalist. Daughter Whitney worked at DCI and was an event manager at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. As Bob remarked, “We have always just moved from one pageantry activity to another, year round, and it has been great.”
Bob Medworth was gracious enough to share some answers about his experiences with MTC:
How long have you been a Tour Director for Music Travel Consultants?
Bob: I think my first Tour Director [trip] for MTC was probably around 2003. Northview HS was going to NYC at Christmas and [MTC Executive VP] Jef Furr said, “You’ve seen me do this trip four or five times… why don’t you just be the Tour Director?” So I tour directed that trip for free, and that allowed a kid who did not have money to go on the trip.
How many total trips have you tour directed?
Bob: I have no idea. I’m guessing 40 or 50.
What is the hardest part of being a successful MTC Tour Director?
Bob: You have to bust your tail to instantly fit into the culture of the group you are with. Every band or choir is run differently, every set of boosters has their own methods, and every director has different needs. My challenge is to blend in immediately and figure out how I can bring my skills and the resources of MTC into the hour-by-hour operation of the group I am with.
“Bob is one of our best! Having been a band director who traveled with his band, he knows the ins and outs of travel for music groups! He can adapt, he’s truly a people person and he’s one of the best parts of your trip! He makes it fun for the kids with his sparkling personality!”
What is the largest group you have tour directed?
Bob: Jef Furr, Mark Ferrell, and I took the Purdue Band and their alumni to Ireland in 2013.
Is there something you wish travelers knew before the trip departs?
Bob: Don’t be afraid to ask us for help. Don’t be afraid to count on us to solve all problems. Group travel is always a smidge different than a family vacation, and everyone, myself included, has to meld into the overall schedule and plan.
What’s your proudest moment, or a time when you being there made a difference/impact?
Bob: One of my proudest moments was just last month when I was in Epcot with a band. We were having a great time and the kids and directors were very outgoing and friendly. We bonded instantly on the trip. A group of the boys had bought sombreros early in the day and every time I ran into them, we had a good laugh. That night when it was time to leave Epcot, they presented me with my own GIANT PINK sombrero.
What is your favorite place to travel/visit with and without groups?
Bob: Disney or NYC = toss up.
What does it take to be a successful MTC Tour Director?
Bob: THINKING AHEAD. It’s not enough to solve problems. You have to have the ability to see the potential problems on the horizon. And sometimes, it is not a problem. You just have to realize that upcoming circumstances are not perfect and with a little thought and a small change or two you can really enhance the experience for the group.
What are the benefits of having an MTC Tour Director at your side?
Bob: No worries. No paperwork. No advance communication with events, meals, lodging, etc. The director of the group can be as carefree as the kids. Let me do the worrying, planning, thinking.
Any advice or things you want to share with groups considering performance travel?
Bob: For many of us, as teachers, our band or choir trips provide experiences that many of our kids have not had and for some… might not ever have. Seeing the world, through the band activity, is a tremendous experience.
Want to learn more about Bob Medworth? Check out this great Director Spotlight video from Paige’s Music.
Do you think you have what it takes to wear the cape and be an MTC Tour Director like Bob Medworth?
Contact Music Travel Consultants to start planning your trip.
