s groups return from their great concert tours, we are always heartened to read the latest comments that are noted on the tour evaluation forms or e-mailed directly to us. We hope that you find these comments useful as you prepare for your 2009 and 2010 travel.

"The Leipzig International Choral Festival was the experience of a lifetime. To sing in the Gewandhaus and in Bach’s own church is something I will never forget—it’s like standing on hallowed ground. To hear the choirs from Germany, Switzerland, England and the USA sing music that they passionately believe in broadened our appreciation of the power of music. To sing for enthusiastic audiences in beautiful acoustics is a real treat. Casterbridge Tours could not have done a better job in organizing and running this festival, and I would definitely book with them in the future."
J.C. - Choir Director - NC - Leipzig International Choral Festival, July 2008

"Every single member of the group, without exception, had nothing but the highest praise for the festival – the concerts, the accommodations, the workshops, all of it. Many said they were ready to come again next year."
D.T. - Choir Director - MA - Leipzig International Choral Festival, July 2008

“Thank you for all of your wonderful assistance in planning this trip. We all had an amazing experience and will remember it for all of our lives. I hope we can work together again in the future.”
A.R. - Choir Chair - MA - Austria, April 2008

"Our Prague experience was absolutely wonderful! All the tours were excellent and well prepared, and the meals… amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed that beautiful theatre and the audience was wonderfully supportive. Undoubtedly, St. Saviour was all of our favorites. The acoustics were magnificent and the audience! What more can I say? We were so pleased with the full house and positive response from both of the concerts. Although we had 40 strings, St. Savior's acoustics enabled us to sound twice as many. Simply magnificent! I will continue to use Casterbridge for our trips and will continue singing it's praises to my colleagues. Thank you again for all of your patience, time, and expertise."
L.S. - Orchestra Director - FL - Prague, April 2008

"The marching band had a LOVELY time in Ireland. Our students had a fantastic life-altering experience and I know they'll remember it for the rest of their lives. Casterbridge, once again, did an outstanding job of directing our trip and performances. Students and parents alike were delighted with the entire experience. Thanks for all of your hard work and attention to detail. You did a great job!"
H.R.D. - Band Director - WI - Ireland, March 2008

"We are still on a high form our incredible journey! I do not know how to begin to thank you and Casterbridge Tours for arranging such a magnificent trip……. it will be my pleasure to recommend Casterbridge Tours to all of my colleagues for arranging a journey of a lifetime."
A. T. - Choir Director - CT - Italy, February 2008

"We had a wonderful trip to Italy! My sincere thanks to Casterbridge concert tours for effectively carrying out the many details involved in planning this adventure. The concerts were wonderful, performance venues exquisite and the guides were terrific."
D St. J. - Choir Director - RI - Italy, January 2008

“I would like to thank you again for all of your help with planning our trip to Europe. It really turned out to be a wonderful success - the outcome was fantastic, as you promised."
C.D. - Choir Director - OH - Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Switzerland, Sept 2007

"I couldn't even begin to tell you what an incredible time we had. Barcelona is such a beatiful and vibrant city. The tour guide was out of this world - she took care of us as if we were family. The concerts were well received....I can never thank you and the folks at Casterbridge enough. EVERYONE, yes, EVERYONE said that it was the best trip any of them had ever taken."

P.L. - Music Director - NY - Spain, July 2007

"The trip we planned years (it seems) ago was splendid. Wells surpassed all expectations! Everything about Wells was lovely... the Cathedral is not too big, not too small, with divine acoustics, progressive theologically as well I assume socially, and the Cathedral staff from the Dean on down was gracious and so hospitable. It was the perfect place for us."
E.V. - Choir Director - TX - United Kingdom, July 2007

"Yes, the trip went swimmingly! It was a dream. Rosemary, our tour guide, was fantastic. At St. Peter’s in Vienna we had a great crowd and a fabulous place to sing in. The advertising seemed to really draw in the crowds."
J.B. - Music Director - VA - Italy & Austria, July 2007

"We had a lovely experience thanks to your hard work, the work of the staff in the UK and Janet and Eleanor as well. The choir did well with such an awesome responsibility! The people of Wells were so welcoming! The hotel staff was lovely at White Hart and Ancient Gatehouse. We could not believe the hospitality of the cathedral staff and the wonderful guides at so many of the sites. It was a pleasure and an experience we will treasure!"
C.K. -Director of Music - TX - July 2007

"We're back home safely with many great memories of our wonderful trip. John Lionet was SUPERB! What a wonderful guy!! He was every tour manager's dream of what makes a trip as smooth as it can possibly be!

Thank you once again for your outstanding efficiency, professionalism, and your timely correspondence with us over the past many months."
D.N. - Choir Director - NH - Switzerland, June 2007

"The performances at Capital Wesleyan, the Basilica, and the Medical Center were wonderful, and we regretted that we couldn't spend more time with each of them. My kids said that this was 'the best trip ever and that is an indication that it was a successful tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We enjoyed all of the sight-seeing, and the kids loved the whale watch. I will plan to use Casterbridge again in the future."
C.L. - Choir Director - IN - June 2007

"An incredible experience. Our assistant at St Giles said that this was the largest audience she’d seen at a lunchtime cathedral. She said that usually people wander in and out, but for this concert they filled the church and stayed. The crowd throughout the tour were exceptional. This seems to be what Casterbridge Tours does best and will definitely be attractive when we look at our next international tour. Great concert venues."
J.S. - Group Leader - TX - Ireland, Wales & Scotland, June 2007

"An incredible experience. Our assistant at St Giles said that this was the largest audience she'd seen at a lunchtime cathedral. She said that usually people wander in and out, but for this concert they filled the church and stayed. The crowds throughout the tour were exceptional. This seems to be what Casterbridge Tours does best. Advertising worked as we had the best crowds ever for an international tour. The joint concert with the male chorus from Colwyn Bay had an exceptional turnout. The 2 mayors sat at the front with medals on. One mayor addressed us at the end. The men’s chorus presented us with gifts. The crowd was enthusiastic and the evening was magical. This is, undoubtedly, the highlight of the tour.”
M.L. - Choir Director - TX - June 2007

"Our best performance. The cathedral staff were fantastic, especially 'Verger Dave'. They gave us a room to rehearse in with a piano. There was a large and very appreciative crowd. It was warm too!. I cannot think of anyway it could have been better."
C.L. - Boosters Committee - NJ - Britain, March 2007

"Casterbridge was flexible and professional at all points. I look forward to future tours with more concerts arranged by you"
K.J. - Choir Director - NH - March 2007

"I just wanted to send off a quick e-mail this morning letting you now how wonderful our trip was! Those who had been before (and that was 90% of the parents) thought it was the best trip we have ever had. All your hard work really paid off! Ciaran was truly wonderful, too. The kids serenaded him on the last night and I think he really loved that. He is amazing and so are you! Thanks so much for all you have done! Oh--our tour of the Paris Opera house was a real highlight--the kids even got to sing in there. They also sung impromptu in the Roman Forum and drew quite a crowd. That was fun!"
A.R. - Boosters Committee - KS - March 2007

"Thank you for all you did.  All the details were handled with care.  No stone left unturned when exploring the possibilities.  And the result was a trip of outstanding quality.  Even the chaperones, all of whom have traveled extensively talked about how it was one of the best experiences they have ever had!"
R.G. - Music Director - CT - Italy, February 2007

"Our performance tour of London was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The professionalism, support and attention to detail shown by the entire Casterbridge staff made our inaugural tour run smoothly and allowed us to focus on our performances and the sights of London. Thank you."
D.A. - Performing Arts Chairman - NY - Britain

"We've never had as good publicity as what Casterbridge provided! This trip has brought the band together on a personal level, something that has never happened before. The trip may be over, but the spirit of being a group and not just a collection of musicians who rarely talk to each other lives on. Thank you, and when we plan our next big trip to Europe, we will be sure to contact you!"
D.C. - Concert Band Director - VA - Britain

"Just wanted to pass along a final thanks for a WONDERFUL tour. The president of the Board of Trustees was one of the parents accompanying our tour... He sent an email to our headmaster on the third day, and I thought I would pass an excerpt along:

...Picture this: a magnificent 15th century church in the heart of this Great historic city. Posters surround the square, announcing "concerto straordinario -- coro detroit country day." And was it ever!!! - I was in the front row and I've never heard anything come even close to the kids' magnificent performance. The combination of the city, the historic place with its great acoustics, the enthusiastic venetian audience, and Ron's superb leadership inspired our kids to reach down and deliver their best result. It was awesome.

Paola was a wonderful tour guide, the country was beautiful (and HOT that week!), and the concert experiences were second to none. Casterbridge is truly the master of the concert tour."
R.W. - Choir Director - MI - Italy

"We were thrilled to be able to sing for the pope and attend the audience."
S.Z. - Choir Director - NJ - Italy

"Hafa adai from the island paradise of Guam, USA! Just got back from an amazing Casterbridge experience! Before anything else, please allow me to extend my sincerest appreciation to you for everything that you have done. I was pleasantly surprised by the total experience of the tour and I need to let you know how much it has changed the lives of our students here. It was nothing short of magical really. Thank you so much for making the dream real for my students. Having traveled with another European group tour, I was honestly expecting the hotel and the dinners to be the same (or even less) as that of the other tour company. To my great surprise, Casterbridge offered something much, much more. The hotels in London and Paris were really beyond that I expected and that was a big bonus. Of course, John Lionet, our guide, was truly a wonderful guide to be with who went out of his way a lot to make this tour memorable. Our driver Robert was also a fun and unselfish driver who also went to great lengths to make this experience just unforgettable. It was truly a great treat to have dinner with you. Once again, thank you for the superb service you have rendered. Thanks for the great work you guys do at Casterbridge. "
A.N. - Music Director - Guam - Britain & France

"Words cannot express my gratitude for the effecient way you and Casterbridge set up, arranged and delivered such a magnificent tour. The kids will always remember Greece, their tour guide Alexandros, and their outstanding concert venues with great affection. You guys are awesome."
J.F. - Choir Director - PA - Greece

"I wanted to tell you that we have had a very successful trip and reunion party. At the party everyone was still very enthusiastic about their journey and about John, our guide, and Harry, our driver. Thank you so much for making eveything go so smoothly and for presenting such an educational and fun trip. We hope that we will be able to travel with Casterbridge again sometime in the future."
S.S. - Group Leader - CA - Germany & Switzerland

"Excellent-like playing for family and friends... I have never seen such receptive audiences. The first concert in particular received us for an encore[and} standing ovation-dedicated listeners. The concert was opened by the town mayor. Excellent venue-very well advertised. Beautiful acoustics."
K.A. - Chamber Orchestra - CT

"What an opportunity! The acoustic was perfect! And the abbey had such a spiritual presence. The singers and I were moved" What a great way to end our tour! - and we had a large, enthusiastic audience" The trip was wonderful!! We have had nothing but positive comments from those that participated. And family members left in the states keep telling us how much their kids are talking about it."
S.S. - Music Director - OH

"All of the performance venues worked well for my group. Lovely places to sing…Thank you for arranging a well thought out performance tour. I would be happy to recommend this tour to my colleagues. It was a valuable musical and educational experience for my students"
S.L. - Choir Director - NJ

"WOW! What a wonderful trip we had! It was fabulous! I want to thank you for everything! I loved the landscapes, the cities small and large, and the food was fabulous"
C.S. - Choir Director - PA

"The school was very hospitable. Getting to play in their new concert hall was great. Not only were we received well but also given lunch with the Mayor of Winchester and other dignitaries. This was a special day for our group"
G.F. - High School Band - VA

"We are just back from China. What a wonderful experience it was. The entire choir was thrilled with the tour and we thank Casterbridge for making it all work so well. "
B.H. & S.H. - Choir Director - NY

"I want to thank you again for such a memorable concert venue for our orchestra. The kids are still on a music high!"
J.C. - Music Director - OH

"This was an overall excellent experience for our students... this trip will certainly serve as a constant reminder to me regarding the need for professional planning when considering travel and International performance. Thank you."
S.L. - Choir Director - VA

You have an excellent company. I will never use another. Thank you so much for all of the detailed planning.
T.G. - College Choir Director - IN

"The tour exceeded my expectations in every way. It was thoroughly educational, well presented and enjoyable. There was nothing to compare to singing in such magnificent venues in Rome."
C.H. - High School Music Director - CT

"I cannot begin to thank you for organizing such a fantastic experience. From the moment we walked off the plane to the moment we said goodbye to our Tour Manger we had the trip of a lifetime! The concert venues were terrific, the tour guide knowledgeable, the food outstanding and the hotels perfect."
J.P. - High School Choral Director - OH - Glee Club

"Thanks to you and your staff for putting together a wonderful experience for our student and adult participants."
C.S. - Music Director - FL - High School String Orchestra