American Music Abroad Empire Tour 2026
Step onto the stage of Europe with the Empire Tour 2026, where music becomes a passport to discovery. Over 16 days, musicians will perform in iconic cities, traverse alpine peaks, and stroll through streets steeped in history. From the echoes of Mozart in Salzburg to the glittering canals of Venice, every stop combines performance, culture, and hands-on learning. This tour transforms ordinary travel into an engaging, sensory-rich adventure, where rehearsals meet breathtaking landscapes, concerts meet centuries of history, and every day offers a new stage for growth, connection, and inspiration.
Tour Overview
The American Music Abroad Empire Tour 2026 will take place from July 11 through July 26, 2026, offering a 16-day international performance experience across four countries: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Under the direction of Christine and Richard Riederer, this upcoming tour will bring together talented musicians from across the United States for a carefully curated European itinerary that balances concerts, cultural exploration, and meaningful educational experiences.
Tour Highlights
- Perform concerts across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy
- Visit Engelberg and Lucerne in the Swiss Alps
- Experience Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Bavaria’s alpine heritage
- Explore Munich and visit the Dachau Memorial
- Discover Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown
- Travel underground in the Salzburg salt mines
- Ride high into the Austrian Alps to a glacier
- Experience Venice’s canals, bridges, and iconic landmarks
- Visit Verona, the setting of Romeo and Juliet
- Build friendships with 100+ fellow musicians
A Performance Journey Across Europe’s Most Inspiring Settings
The Empire Tour 2026 has been designed as a performance route that grows in richness and significance with every destination. The musical experience begins in Engelberg, where the first European performance will take place against the dramatic backdrop of the Swiss Alps. From there, the tour continues through Germany and Austria, where concerts will unfold in towns known for their cultural warmth and historic character.
In Salzburg and Westendorf, performances will become part of the local atmosphere, allowing participants to share music in settings deeply connected to European artistic heritage. Evening concerts in village halls and nearby communities will create opportunities for musicians to connect directly with audiences abroad.
As the tour moves south into Italy, the final European performance will carry special meaning. By this point, the ensemble will have spent days rehearsing, traveling, and growing together. The final concert will serve as a culmination of that shared experience, reflecting both musical progress and the bonds formed along the way.
Each venue on the Empire Tour has been selected not simply as a stage, but as part of the educational experience itself. Performing in these places adds depth to every note and gives students the chance to experience music as a truly international language.
Switzerland: Where Music Meets Mountain Majesty
The opening chapter of the Empire Tour will begin in Switzerland, where participants will arrive in Zurich before traveling to the alpine town of Engelberg. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Engelberg offers a breathtaking introduction to Europe and sets the tone for the experience ahead.
The first evening will feature one of the most memorable moments of the tour: a cable car ascent high into the Alps for a special Swiss dinner. This experience combines scenery, culture, and group connection in a setting unlike anything students encounter at home.
The following day, the tour will continue to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities. Here, participants will walk through the old town, cross the historic Kapellbrücke, and take in views of medieval towers and lakeside architecture. The city’s atmosphere, refined yet welcoming, makes it a perfect first immersion into European culture.
That evening, the ensemble will give its first European performance, marking the official beginning of the musical portion of the tour. It is a defining moment, one that transforms the group from individual musicians into a unified international ensemble.
History, Reflection, and Musical Heritage
This stage of the Empire Tour moves into the cultural and historical core of Central Europe, where music and learning intersect in especially meaningful ways.
Munich and Dachau
The stop in Munich offers participants time to experience one of Germany’s most significant cultural cities, from its public squares to its architectural grandeur. The visit to the Dachau Memorial adds an important dimension of historical reflection. This experience encourages students to engage thoughtfully with the past and understand the broader context of European history.
Salzburg and Mozart’s Legacy
As Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg occupies a special place in the world of music. Participants will walk the streets where one of history’s greatest composers began his life, explore the city’s baroque beauty, and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistic traditions that continue to shape performance today.
Salt Mines and Alpine Heritage
The visit to the salt mines offers a distinct educational experience, allowing participants to travel underground and learn about the mining of “white gold,” a resource that once helped shape the region’s economy and identity.
Together, these experiences strengthen the educational value of the tour while enriching the musical perspective of every participant.
Westendorf and the Spirit of the Alps
The Austrian village of Westendorf brings a different kind of learning experience, one centered on culture, community, and shared moments. Tucked within the Alps, this picturesque setting offers space for both relaxation and connection.
One of the most anticipated experiences here will be the Tyrolean Folk Fest, an evening of local song and dance that introduces participants to regional traditions in an authentic and celebratory setting. This event reflects the way music lives within community life, offering students a meaningful cultural contrast to formal concert performance.
The following day provides time for independent exploration, whether through hiking, biking, or simply enjoying the alpine setting. A ski lift ride will offer sweeping views of the valley, creating one of the most visually memorable moments of the tour.
Later, the visit to Rattenberg and the glacier adds another layer of alpine beauty. Riding a cable car high into the mountains for panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and sheltered valleys is an experience that blends excitement with artistic inspiration.
Italy: Art, Architecture, and the Final Performance
Italy will provide a fitting final chapter for the Empire Tour, bringing together artistic heritage, iconic cities, and the emotional culmination of the ensemble’s performance experience.
Venice’s Iconic Beauty
Few cities in the world rival the atmosphere of Venice. With its canals, bridges, and historic piazzas, the city invites students to experience architecture and public space as living works of art. Stops at St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Doge’s Palace, and the famous bridges will make this a highlight of the itinerary.
The Final European Concert
The final performance in Italy will carry special significance. By this stage, the ensemble will have grown in cohesion, confidence, and musical maturity. This concert becomes a celebration of the journey itself.
Verona and Cultural Legacy
The visit to Verona adds literary and architectural richness, connecting students with one of Italy’s most celebrated historic cities and the setting associated with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Italy serves as a memorable finale where music, culture, and shared accomplishment come together.
Why Musicians Choose the Empire Tour
The Empire Tour stands out because it offers a powerful balance of performance, travel, education, and personal growth. Every destination contributes something different, from the serenity of Switzerland to the cultural depth of Austria and the artistic legacy of Italy.
For musicians, this is a chance to perform internationally while experiencing firsthand the places that shaped Europe’s artistic traditions. For students and families, it offers a structured, meaningful travel experience led by experienced directors and supported by American Music Abroad’s decades-long reputation.
Beyond the concerts and destinations, the Empire Tour is about transformation. Students build confidence, develop independence, and form friendships that often last well beyond the summer.
Join the Empire Tour 2026
American Music Abroad invites musicians to be part of the Empire Tour 2026, taking place July 11 through July 26. From the Swiss Alps to Venice’s canals, this upcoming tour promises exceptional performances, beautiful destinations, and meaningful educational experiences.
Join a community of musicians ready to perform, learn, and grow across Europe’s most inspiring stages. The Empire Tour 2026 is set to be an extraordinary summer of music and discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Empire Tour welcomes high school, collegiate, and adult musicians in band, choir, orchestra, jazz, and color guard. Musicians come together to form one touring ensemble, sharing performances and experiences across Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
This tour combines performance, cultural immersion, and historical exploration. Participants not only perform in world-class venues but also experience iconic sites like Salzburg, Venice, and Dachau, connecting music with history, culture, and local traditions.
Students are nominated by their music teachers based on musical commitment, character, and teamwork. AMA values dedication and enthusiasm, ensuring every musician can grow and perform confidently within the ensemble.
Yes! AMA offers Friends & Family Tours that run alongside the performance schedule, allowing relatives and friends to explore Europe and attend concerts while enjoying independent travel experiences.
Safety is a top priority. A full-time, experienced tour manager oversees all logistics, accommodations, and transportation. Participants are accompanied by directors and chaperones, and all hotels and venues meet AMA’s high standards for comfort and security.
Musicians perform in a mix of historic churches, town halls, and community spaces across Europe. Each concert provides a meaningful opportunity to share music with local audiences, often in locations with extraordinary acoustics and cultural significance.
The Empire Tour nurtures growth in musicianship, confidence, and cultural awareness. Participants gain real-world performance experience, explore new landscapes and histories, and build lasting friendships with fellow musicians from across the country.