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Tuscany Choral Experience

A curated music and cultural tour for individual singers in Lucca, Italy

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS within the leafy Renaissance walls of Lucca, nestled in the beautiful foothills in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Over nine days, we will make music together while exploring the art, culture, history, and cuisine of Tuscany.  You are sure to fall in love with the beautiful scenery, friendly people, and of course, the amazing food and wine!


Resonate Tours has developed this tailored experience for individual musicians to connect with each other and with local audiences while exploring Italy together. Wander through the streets, into the countryside, and along the coastline of this beautiful country while experiencing its culture and enjoying music with new friends. You can expect more than a standard group tour — uncommon adventures await. Make music every day, meet new friends, go off the beaten path, and have the experience of a lifetime.


The Tuscany Choral Experience intersperses music with cultural activities and curated culinary experiences in Lucca and the surrounding region. Each day features time to sing with your friends, a group cultural or historical activity, and a meal together introducing the diverse cuisine of the region.  We start the week with daily music study and preparation and end the week with two performances in unique venues. In the meantime, you'll have plenty of free time to explore Lucca, unraveling centuries of history interwoven with modern Italian life.


We’re excited to welcome Jennaya and Brett Robison as our featured Music Directors for the 2024 Tuscany Choral Experience.


Curious what we'll be singing?  Check out the potential repertoire selection.


TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

  • If you enjoy singing, you'll love singing in ITALY!

  • Share your musical passion with Italians, who love music.

  • Eat some of the best food of your life.

  • Visit various parts of western Tuscany to get to know the region.

  • Stay in one hotel for the entire trip - no repacking!

  • Did we mention the wine?


TIPS:

  • Companions are welcome! Many of our guests bring a non-musical companion. They are welcome to participate in the musical activities as an observer, or enjoy more free time exploring the city.

  • Since hotels in the historic part of Lucca are small, the group will be staying in two hotels. Sign up early to get your preferred choice!

  • Ready for more? Join us for a 3-day/2-night tour extension to Florence.

Meet Your Hosts

Brett

Dr. Brett Robison has conducted choirs and orchestras for the past twenty-five years and is
beginning his second season as the artistic director of the Topeka Festival Singers.

Dr. Robison is the new executive director of the Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City, a
performing arts organization that presents performances from the world’s top solo and
chamber musicians. He previously served as the executive director of the Topeka Symphony. Dr. Robison founded the music nonprofit organization, Scottsdale Musical Arts and served as the artistic and executive director. He also directed the youth symphony and adult orchestra programs while also serving as the assistant director of the children’s choirs and professional adult choir, Scottsdale Choral Artists. Dr. Robison served as the Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he conducted the Concert Choir, 9th Street Singers, and Rose Chorale. He taught conducting, choral methods, private voice lessons. He is currently the choir director at Trinity Lutheran in Mission, Kansas.

Dr. Robison received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Luther College, a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of New Mexico, as well as a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Brett Robison

Jennaya

Dr. Jennaya Robison is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and soprano throughout the United States. She currently serves as the Artistic Director for the National Lutheran Choir (Minneapolis, MN) where she is the third artistic director in the organization’s 37-year history. Robison most recently served as Director of Choral Studies in the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has held previous positions at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. She has held state, regional, and national leadership roles with the American Choral Directors Association.

Robison has conducted and taught courses in choral singing and global connection in the United States, Namibia, South Africa, and Germany and currently serves as the Artistic Dean of the Zephyr Point Summer Music Festival at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She has served as an invited conductor and clinician for numerous all-state festivals and honor choirs throughout the United State and has presented at national, regional, and state ACDA, NAfMe, and NATS conferences.

Her choral series is published with Pavane Publishing, and she serves the editor of the National Lutheran Choir series through Morningstar music. Additional arrangements and compositions are published by Kjos Music, Morningstar Music, and Galaxy Music.

Dr. Jennaya Robison

William and Alex

William Kyle and Alex Hay founded Resonate Tours based on their shared passion for music and travel.

William connected with music singing in choir and "graduated" to handbells becoming an integral part of the local, national and international handbell community. He founded Handbell Ventures, was Music Director of Bay Bells, rang with Velocity Handbell Ensemble, and has published original compositions and arrangements for handbells and chorus. He served as Assistant Music Director at Foothills Congregational Church, Los Altos for 13 years.

Alex has played violin with community orchestras across the United States, including the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia, the San Francisco Civic Symphony and the Lexington Community Orchestra. As a handbell musician, he rang with pop-cover handbell band Bell Appeal, known for creativity in music programming and audience engagement.

A life of living in various cities in multiple countries has led William and Alex to reside in Lisbon, Portugal, a 21st-century intersection of world cultures.

Resonate Tours

LUCCA

ItalyGraphic-Lucca_edited.jpg

from

$3,595

9

days

Available Dates:

June 15 - 23, 2024

PRICE INCLUDES: 

  • 8 nights 3- or 4-star accommodation in the historic city of Lucca (see options)

  • Tour experiences and activities in Lucca and the nearby region

  • Amazing European breakfast at the hotel each morning 

  • Lunch or Dinner each day 

  • Transport to all included activities 

  • Museum and activity entrance fees

  • UPDATED! Deposit of $395 at registration reserves your spot. Additional installments due Feb 1st, Mar 15th, and May 1st. All prices in USD.


HOTEL ROOM OPTIONS:

Two hotel options are available, with a limited number of rooms in each hotel:

  • $3,595 - The Albergo San Martino is a classic boutique 3-star hotel in the center near the large Piazza Napoleone and tree-lined Corso Garibaldi. Approximate 15-minute walk to rehearsal space.

  • $3,895 - The Hotel Ilaria is a contemporary boutique 4-star hotel in the center adjacent to the gardens of the Villa Bottini and facing the charming silk canal. Approximate 5 minute walk to rehearsal space.


AVAILABLE EXTRAS for an additional cost: 

  • Airport/hotel pick up and drop off 

  • Additional meals & drinks 

  • Single Supplement.  Standard prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Subject to availability. 


FLORENCE EXTENSION:

  • $795 - Join us for a 3-day, 2-night extension in nearby Florence. 

  • Florence is the heart of the Renaissance, with the churches, museums and art to show it off. We'll see a few of the main attractions together, with plenty of free time to explore on your own.

  • Extension includes: Transfer to Florence, 2-nights in a 3-star hotel in central Florence with Breakfast, lunch on Sunday, dinner on Monday, and tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens.


OTHER INFORMATION:

  • Price is in US Dollars

  • Airfare to Italy and transfer to/from the hotel is not included

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