The All-American Honors Collegiate Tour 2025 was a 14-day European performance and cultural program designed for college musicians. Directed by Bret Mascaro, with musical leadership from Ken Elpus, Daniel Neuenschwander, Jami Lercher, and Greg Martin, the tour carried forward American Music Abroad’s mission. It focused on bringing musicians together through shared performance and cultural exchange.
The ensemble rehearsed, performed, and traveled through Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany, turning Europe’s historic venues into unforgettable concert halls. Each city added new depth to the musicians’ artistry through sound, connection, and discovery.
Since 1975, more than 43,000 musicians have traveled with American Music Abroad. The 2025 Collegiate Tour continued that legacy, giving young adults the chance to grow as performers and global citizens.
The All-American Honors Collegiate Tour 2025 was a two-week program featuring rehearsals, sightseeing, and five concerts in renowned European venues. Each stop along the way offered a blend of local culture and meaningful performance opportunities.
The journey began in Westendorf, Austria, where students rehearsed as one unified ensemble and debuted their program in a packed hall. From there, the group traveled through the Alps to Italy, continued north to Austria again, crossed into the Czech Republic, and concluded the tour in Germany. Every destination offered a new perspective on music’s ability to build understanding across borders.
Tour Dates: June 2 – June 15, 2025
Head Director: Bret Mascaro
Musical Directors: Ken Elpus, Daniel Neuenschwander, Jami Lercher, Greg Martin
Tour Escort: John Leonard
Countries Visited: Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany
Contact: staff@americanmusicabroad.com
AMA Office: (610) 431-3311
The Collegiate Tour began in Westendorf, Austria, where students settled into mountain life and began rehearsals in the Alpenrosenhalle. The ensemble’s first concert took place in this venue, filling the hall with energy and applause from a local audience.
Between rehearsals, students enjoyed free time to explore the charming village of Westendorf and experience traditional Austrian cuisine together. On June 5, a day trip to Rattenberg allowed the group to visit a local glass-blowing exhibition and shop for souvenirs. It was followed by a breathtaking gondola ride to the glacier, where alpine views stretched for miles.
That evening, the tour continued to Mayrhofen for a performance at the Musikpavillon, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Tyrolean Alps.
The Collegiate Tour continued from Austria into Italy, stopping midday at the lakeside resort town of Lazise for lunch. By evening, the ensemble reached Abano Terme, where participants checked in to their hotel and spent free time exploring the nearby promenade and shops.
The following day, the group traveled to Venice. After a short coach ride and a charter boat transfer to St. Mark’s Square, students enjoyed several hours of independent sightseeing. Many visited Doge’s Palace, viewed the Bridge of Sighs, or simply relaxed in the cafés surrounding the square before re-boarding the boat in the afternoon.
Back in Abano Terme, the musicians prepared for the evening’s performance. After dinner at the hotel, the ensemble presented a concert in Piazza Todeschini, concluding the Italian portion of the tour before departing the next morning for Salzburg, Austria.
Returning north, the ensemble arrived in Salzburg, one of Europe’s most celebrated musical cities. After checking into their hotel, the group spent the evening in Mirabell Gardens and enjoyed free time for dinner and exploring the city. The following morning included a visit to the Hallein Salt Mines, followed by lunch and more time in Salzburg’s center before preparing for the evening concert.
That night, the ensemble traveled to Bad Reichenhall, Germany, for dinner at Brauereigasthof Bürgerbräu and a performance at the Konzert Rotunde, a renowned circular hall known for its fine acoustics. Following the concert, the group returned to Salzburg for an overnight stay at the Wyndham Grand Salzburg Conference Center, closing another remarkable chapter of the tour.
Crossing into the Czech Republic, the ensemble stopped in Český Krumlov for lunch and time to explore the town’s winding streets before continuing to Prague.
The next morning began with a guided tour of Prague Castle and Old Town Square. In the evening, the musicians prepared for their concert at the Ládví Cultural House, performing before an appreciative local audience. Dinner followed at Restaurant Cobolis, where the group shared stories.
The next day included a visit to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, offering a look at one of the Czech Republic’s most famous traditions. That evening’s Vltava River dinner cruise gave participants a chance to enjoy the city’s skyline and reflect on the week’s performances.
The final stage of the tour brought the ensemble to Munich, Germany. After exploring the city’s old town and enjoying free time in its open squares, the group visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. The experience was somber and deeply moving. It reminded every participant that music’s power lies not only in performance but also in its ability to connect people through compassion and remembrance.
The tour concluded with a farewell dinner where students, directors, and staff reflected on the journey they had shared. Laughter and gratitude filled the room as everyone recognized the extraordinary community that had formed in just two weeks.
The following morning, the group departed from Munich Airport, carrying home new memories, friendships, and a renewed passion for music.
The All-American Honors Collegiate Tour 2025 celebrated excellence, collaboration, and discovery. For every participant, it was a summer of artistic and personal growth. Students returned home with sharpened musical skills, a deeper understanding of world cultures, and an enduring sense of pride in what they had accomplished together.
The Collegiate Tour reaffirmed that music remains one of the most powerful means of bridging cultures.
The tour was designed for individual college musicians from across the United States. Participants rehearsed together to form a unified ensemble and performed in select venues throughout Europe.
Concerts were held in Westendorf, Mayrhofen, Abano Terme, Bad Reichenhall, and Prague, giving students the opportunity to share their music with international audiences.
Participants toured landmarks such as Venice’s St. Mark’s Square, the Hallein Salt Mines, Prague Castle, and the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, and concluded their stay in Prague with a Vltava River dinner cruise.
