As school budgets shrink and music program budgets diminish even further, it may seem difficult to justify any sort of group travel, especially for a large band or orchestra. Many schools, however, see great rewards in making shorter excursions to nearby destinations as a means of outreach and promotion, as well as student enrichment. And those…

For most students, summer means "break." It's a chance to put down the books, rest and recharge, attend camp as a participant or a counselor, earn some extra spending money with a summer job, perhaps travel with the family--in general, get away from all things academic. For teachers, the summer can stand for the same thing: vacation, in one form…