12 Best International Band Venues

At Encore, we are proud to offer fully customizable performance tours that will fit the unique needs of your touring ensemble. From small, adult jazz combos to large high school marching bands, all band groups can feel at home on their Encore band trip.

Not only are our venues hand-picked for your ensemble, but we also take care of all the finer details so that you can sit back, focus on the music, and enjoy your trip. The stage layout is pre-planned, concert assistance is provided, and you’ll have a guaranteed audience at every performance!

We also have a vast international network that includes vendors, musicians, concert promoters, and so much more. These relationships have been cultivated over our nearly three decades of operations, and allow us to offer our ensembles unique access to some of the world’s finest musical venues. Looking for some options for your band’s next performance tour? Take a look at some of the best international band venues available to our touring ensembles!

Mozarteum – Salzburg, Austria

The concert hall is located under the gaze of the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, a school specializing in the arts. The Mozarteum is a truly magnificent place that is guaranteed to create everlasting memories for any band that decides to add this venue to their itinerary!

Musikverein – Vienna, Austria

The Musikverein is one of the most prestigious classical performance venues in the world. The globally-esteemed acoustics and architectural grandeur make the ‘Great Hall’ an unparalleled location for a classical concert. Home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Musikverein has an impressive calendar of classical events. It would be a true honor for any classical performer to play here.

Great Guild Hall – Riga, Latvia

The Great Guild Hall, one of the oldest and buildings in Riga, is located in the center of the Old Town of Riga. The history of the building dates back to the 14th century, when the Guild of German merchants held its meetings here. The building is not only a historical monument, but also the home of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) and a lively meeting place for lovers of classical music.

Church of the Rock – Helsinki, Finland

The Temppeliaukion Church, also known as the Rock Church or Church of the Rock, is one of Helsinki’s most popular sites. Built directly into the natural granite rock, this church and concert venue has excellent acoustics and is one of the most unique structures in all of Finland.

Estonia Concert Hall – Tallinn, Estonia

This neoclassical imposing building is a symbol of Estonia’s political and cultural power. Traditionally, the most festive events are held here, including receptions of Estonian Presidents and New Years Eve celebrations. No other hall in Estonia can compete with Estonia Concert Hall in combining history with flexibility and beauty with adaptability. The Hall promotes its own Concert Season of prestigious visiting artists as well as being home to the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

Rudolfinum – Prague, Czech Republic

This beautiful Neo-Renaissance Hall in the heart of Prague is one of the oldest concert halls in Europe. Built in the late 1800’s, the structure contributed greatly to the development of Czechoslovakia as it housed the seat of the state parliment during the world wars. Today it is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, many classical concerts, and is one of the main venues of the Prague Spring International Music Festival. It’s excellent acoustics make it a wonderful venue for any band with an appropriate repertoire.

Christ Church Cathedral – Dublin, Ireland

Situated in medieval Dublin, Christ Church is not only the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishops but is also the seat of the Church of Ireland. Founded around 1028 the cathedral was rebuilt and renovated many times throughout history and is now accented by flying buttresses, high arching stone ceilings, and, most notably, the Grand Organ which appears to be floating in the air! While the Cathedral is home to one of the most reputable choirs in Ireland (one whose origins trace back to 1493) it is also a fantastic venue for bands.

Piazza Grande del Duomo – Montepulciano, Italy

This piazza is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Tuscany and is an ideal space for large orchestras to perform.   It’s truly the heart of the city of Montepulciano and hosts a number of musical and cultural events every summer.  The architecture of the buildings surrounding the square encompasses an interesting blend of Florentine architecture as well as remains of Roman buildings.  The piazza is home to Montepulciano’s cathedral and its most important palazzi that had been built by the city’s most influential families.  It’s a fantastic place for summer concerts under the Tuscan stars!

Terme Tettuccio – Montecatini, Italy

The spa town of Montecatini in Tuscany is renowned for its spring waters that have been coveted for generations, even stretching as far back as the Roman times.  The Terme Tettuccio, which is not only the oldest spa in town but also a fabulous venue for bands, is the epitome of beauty, with its current structure renovations dating back to the early 20^th century.  The town attracts many visitors from all over Europe due to its wonderful natural mineral waters, which helps guarantee full audiences for each performance.

Auditorio Nacional de Madrid – Madrid, Spain

This symphonic hall was built in the early 80’s and has over 2,300 seats and a reverb time of two second. These wonderful acoustics make it a wonderful setting for any instrumental performance. The annual program starts in September and runs through May and is open to both visiting ensembles wishing to attend a performance or perform in the hall themselves!

Palau de la Musica Catalana – Barcelona, Spain

This breathtaking concert hall was built in the early 1900s in the middle of Barcelona. Along with the stunning stained glass dome ceiling, the structure includes a number of statues and designs that stand as homages to specific musical works. The concert hall is the only hall in Europe to be lit during daylight hours solely by natural light. This UNESCO World Heritage Site seats approximately 2,200 people and has seen performances by various artists ranging from Strauss, Stravinsky, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and more!

American Cemetery – Normandy, France

Honoring nearly 10,000 American soldiers who died in Europe during World War II, this site is a historical landmark in memory of the 1944 invasion of Normandy. This cemetery and memorial is located near Omaha Beach and the English Channel close to the Normandy landings. With the US flag flying proudly, visitors can attend the flag lowering ceremony which occurs twice each day. Performances here are sure to be emotional and inspiring.

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Interested in reading more about the options available to band directors traveling with Encore? Visit our website to learn more!