The American Music Abroad Stars & Stripes Tour 2025 was a 20-day musical and cultural experience across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. Directed by Frank and Jen Zimmerer, the tour carried forward AMA’s long-standing mission of uniting young musicians through travel and performance. Each rehearsal, concert, and cultural visit helped students grow as artists and global citizens while forming lifelong friendships.
Since 1975, American Music Abroad has guided more than 43,000 student performers on international tours. The 2025 Stars & Stripes Tour proudly carries on this tradition, bringing together talented high school musicians to perform in Europe’s historic venues while discovering new cultures through the universal language of music.
The Stars & Stripes Tour 2025 was a three-week performance program designed to inspire excellence and global understanding. Rehearsals began at Tennessee Tech University, where students prepared as a unified ensemble under the guidance of musical directors Justin Scott, John Hylton, Maria Menendez, Karl Kuhlken, and Mandy Funderburk.
Once in Europe, students performed in six countries, with concerts and educational visits embedded throughout the itinerary. Performances took place in town squares, historical landmarks, and venues renowned for their cultural significance and acoustics. Each stop combined performance with cultural learning, turning each day into both a musical and educational milestone.
Tour Dates: June 7 – June 26, 2025
Head Directors: Frank Zimmerer and Jen Zimmerer
Contact: staff@americanmusicabroad.com
AMA Office: (610) 431-3311
The European tour began in France, where the ensemble arrived in Rouen before traveling to Caen. The first major highlight was the group’s performance in Arromanches-les-Bains, near the beaches of Normandy. Before performing, students toured the D-Day Museum, deepening their understanding of the events of June 6, 1944.
Performing at Place du Musée in Arromanches was a moving experience, connecting music with remembrance. Afterward, students visited the Normandy American Cemetery and the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, reflecting on the history of courage and sacrifice. The day in Normandy stood as one of the most powerful experiences of the entire tour.
The group continued to Honfleur, a picturesque harbor town known for its artistic charm, before crossing into Belgium.
In Brugge, students were immersed in the beauty of one of Europe’s most preserved medieval cities. Divided into smaller groups, they enjoyed guided visits to Choco-Story, where they learned about Belgium’s world-famous chocolate, followed by a scenic canal cruise through the historic waterways.
Their next performance took place in Lendelede, where the ensemble was warmly received. Afterward, the group visited Fort Breendonk, a World War II site that offered an educational and emotional encounter with Europe’s past. This balance of history, reflection, and community music-making captured the true spirit of AMA’s purpose: connection through culture.
From Belgium, the tour continued to The Hague in the Netherlands. Students explored Delft, home of the world-renowned Delft pottery, and toured the Royal Delft factory to learn about traditional craftsmanship. Later, they visited Kinderdijk, where 18th-century windmills still line the waterways.
These experiences offered a glimpse into Dutch history and innovation while giving students time to relax and bond as a group. Between concerts and sightseeing, friendships deepened and cultural appreciation flourished.
The ensemble’s arrival in Luxembourg marked another meaningful chapter. In Pétange, students took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at a local monument before performing a concert for the community. This event blended remembrance and celebration, underscoring AMA’s mission to honor the past while building connections through performance.
The next morning, the group visited the General Patton Memorial Museum in Ettelbrück to learn about the liberation of Luxembourg during World War II. The experience left students inspired by the legacy of resilience and unity that continues to shape Europe.
Germany welcomed the ensemble with historic cities and memorable cultural experiences. In Trier, the group explored the Porta Nigra and Trier Cathedral, gaining insight into one of Europe’s oldest cities. From there, the tour continued to Wiesbaden, where students took part in a Rhine River cruise through the valley’s castles and vineyards.
A visit to Sooneck Castle followed, adding a sense of wonder to the itinerary. Students later explored Heidelberg’s old town before traveling to Munich, where they toured BMW Welt and spent time in Marienplatz. Each stop highlighted Germany’s blend of tradition and innovation, connecting history with the excitement of modern Europe.
The final leg of the Stars & Stripes Tour took place in Austria, where alpine views and local hospitality created a perfect ending. In Westendorf, students experienced Tyrolean village life and enjoyed a lively folkloric evening filled with traditional music and dance.
Their performance at the Westendorf Alpenrosenhalle drew a large and enthusiastic audience. In Salzburg, the choir gave a short performance inside the Dom zu Salzburg, followed by a visit to the Hallein Salt Mines, one of Europe’s oldest industries.
Students also visited Rattenberg to see glassblowing artisans before taking a gondola ride to a nearby glacier for breathtaking alpine views. The concert at the Hippach Musikpavillon brought the community together once again. The final performance in Innsbruck’s Dom zu St. Jakob was a highlight of artistic achievement, closing the tour on a note of pride and unity.
After twenty days of rehearsals, performances, and cultural exploration, the Stars & Stripes Tour concluded in Munich.
The Stars & Stripes Tour 2025 gave young musicians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their art across Europe. Through every rehearsal, concert, and cultural exchange, students grew as performers and as people, learning that music is a bridge between cultures.
From the Normandy beaches to the Austrian Alps, the tour reflected everything American Music Abroad stands for: musical excellence, cultural understanding, and lifelong connection.
The tour was open to high school musicians from across the United States. Participants rehearsed together before traveling to perform across Europe.
The program began with three days of rehearsal and orientation at Tennessee Tech University, followed by nearly three weeks of performances and travel through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria.
Concerts took place in Arromanches-les-Bains, Lendelede, Pétange, Westendorf, Hippach, and Innsbruck, with additional choral performances in Salzburg.
