Music Education

Music Travel Consultants is honored to be Music for All’s Official Travel Partner. Music for All is one of the largest and most influential national music education organizations, actively involved in support of active music-making, Music for All uniquely combines national level programming and awareness campaigns, research and advocacy. Bands of America, Orchestra America and BOA Summer Symposium are three of Music for All’s best-known programs. Music Travel Consultants is also honored to be a part of the Indiana State Fair Band Band competition and Music Travel Consultants is also honored to be a charter member of SYTA (Student & Youth Travel Association), founded in 1997 to protect travelers younger than 26 years of age, Music Travel endorses and complies with SYTA’s strict code of ethics. In addition, Music Travel meets SYTA’s requirement that members have tour protection coverage of $200,000 more than that offered by NTA’s Consumer Protection Plan.

Macy’s Parade – From the Inside Looking Out

The tradition runs deep. From when I was a young child to now, a grandfather, Thanksgiving Day has included family, Mamma Stamper's Applesauce Cake, entirely too much food and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Whether watching the event on TV, standing in the rain as my children marched by back in 2007 or capturing the event live last November, the hype and shear magnitude of this annual monstrosity is not for the squeamish. Organizations attending a performance event over a national...

Mental Health Benefits of Music Performance

It’s common knowledge that music has therapeutic benefits for both the musician and the listener. You don’t have to be a professional or make a living from music. You don’t even need a big audience. The simple act of making music has been shown to be helpful to our minds, bodies and our mental health. Read below to learn more about the mental health benefits of music performance. Building Confidence and Competence Demonstrable benefits accrue when you pursue music. Confidence and self-esteem...

Teacher of the Year Embraces French and Guard

From humble beginnings in a small town in Indiana, Brayton Mendenhall has achieved at every level of his performing and teaching career. Being named 2021 Ben Davis HS (IN) Teacher of the Year and a finalist for 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year has given him validation that he is doing the right work. Mendenhall has been teaching French for 10 years, nine of which have been at Ben Davis. Quebec Parliament with Ben Davis HS (IN) students in 2016 Mendenhall is...
Musicians Abroad

Musicians Abroad Presented by MTC

Music Travel Consultants is excited to provide the travel and planning services for Musicians Abroad. The inaugural European tour will be for the state of Indiana in June of 2023. Imagine meeting new friends from throughout your state, all with incredible talents and, like you, a love of music. Imagine spending three days working diligently to hone your abilities while learning to perform with your peers. Imagine a 14-day adventure to eight countries, performing in state-of-the-art venues. Imagine the life-long friendships...

Introducing the MTC Trip Journalist

Music Travel Consultants, the leader in student music group travel, is pleased to announce the MTC Student Trip Journalist program. MTC has long supported the success of student musicians. We also fully support all forms of art expression, writing and other academic endeavors by those in performing groups realizing that many additional hidden talents exist in these young leaders. The Trip Journalist should have an interest in journalism, possibly as a future career and is chosen by the group director. The Trip...

Ready – Set – Recruit; Rebuilding your program after a pandemic

Recruiting has never been more important than today. Driving down any interstate will guarantee three things: potholes, reckless drivers and plenty of billboards. From Big Macs to big rigs, hospitals to school corporations, the advertising world is fighting for your attention and your attendance. More than one year after the shutdown of every school activity, students are feeling the doldrums of too many meals at home, not enough social life and way too much parenting. Now is the time to...

State Fair Band Day Students Miss More Than Funnel Cakes and Shake-Ups

The Indiana State Fair has a long tradition of serving up the most artery-clogging foods, amazing 4-H representatives, seemingly death-defying carnival attractions and above all, some of the finest marching bands in the Hoosierland on Band Day. Last week, the Indiana State Fair Board announced the cancellation of the annual event causing the cancellation of Band Day due to Covid-19 concerns. Since 1947, Band Day has taken place every year. "The impact will certainly be felt for a long time. Teachers...

Winter Season Starts Today

With the winter season cut short, it’s time to get back to the drawing board and make decisions for next February. Most winter guards were in the home stretch when the final weekends of the WGI season were canceled due to state shutdowns. Although there may be an opportunity to repurpose costumes or floors and flags, the conceptual adjustments to most programs were complete with just a few weeks remaining to thoroughly clarify all the performance elements of the program....

Student Leaders Keep the Band Together

Learning from home, communicating with one another, and keeping the spirit of the band together has been a challenge for all during the pandemic. While weeks rush by without a true understanding of what the summer and fall months will bring, directors and students struggle to make their way through the formidable team building that being together affords. These student leaders have found creative ways to keep the members motivated and looking toward the promise of an upcoming marching band season. Bailey...

Music for All National Festival

Music for All is known for its outstanding competitive marching band events, under its Bands of America division. This includes the BOA Grand National Championships, when 100 or more of the finest bands from around the country take the field to compete at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis every November. But, did you know that since 1992, Music for All has presented the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis each March? The founders of the National Festival dreamed of creating...