With a 28-year background of teaching music, Michelle Sorenson has always understood the value of performance-based travel for students. As Director of Bands & Instrumental Music for grades 5-12 at Lourdes Academy of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the last 20 years, Sorenson knew from the start of her career there that parents were eager for their students to take their skills on the road.
“When I first began teaching at Lourdes Academy, one of the initiatives that parents had expressed a desire for in our band program was that of travel—specifically, for our students to have the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World,” Sorenson shared. “We made that dream happen within my first four years and have established a tradition of auditioning for that opportunity every four years. We take great pride in being able to take our show on the road and will be performing at WDW for the fifth time this spring.”
Sorenson and her students have also traveled with ETI to destinations including Nashville and New York City, twice.
“Hands down, my favorite part of the trip is watching students form lifelong bonds over the experience,” Sorenson said. “That music can bring together people who wouldn't normally ‘hang out’ is such a powerful force. Performing together is one thing, but the band that travels together, stays together through incredible shared memories for a lifetime. I often have alumni who speak of special moments from trips that happened over a decade ago with much laughter and fondness!”
Sorenson acknowledges that travel offers a lot of opportunity for developing individual independence with life skills. But mostly, she hopes the lesson her students take away from their travel adventures is one of creativity and sharing that gift.
“[I hope my students learn] that music brought us together to open doors to new opportunities and to give us the opportunity to share our gifts and talents with a wider audience; that shared experience is unique to music travel!”
Sorenson says it’s a privilege to start students on their instrumental music journey in her small Catholic school program and see them all the way through high school.
“For a few students, I get to continue working with them after high school, as they either come back to assist with different school programs they were passionate about or I work with them at our regional university in the athletic band program where I am also a coach,” Sorenson said.
Through it all, having ETI as a true partner is something that Sorenson is beyond pleased with.
“ETI has never steered me wrong. They are patient and flexible throughout the planning process and really listen to what my goals are for the trip to make sure they plan in a way that helps us accomplish what we want,” she explained. “Their tour escorts have always been incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and there to help make sure my students and I have the safest, easiest, most fun and musical adventure possible.”
No matter what type of glitch or headache occurs, Sorenson says she’s confident because ETI is always there to ensure she and her students haven’t had to worry about anything.
“They are pros at handling itinerary changes, helping with the audition process, adjusting passenger lists at the last second, helping get medical attention for sick student travelers, literally anything!” Sorenson said. “ETI has been a true partner in helping me provide special opportunities through music for my students. I love traveling and watching the reactions of students when they leave the state for the first time, or after they perform a workshop where they exceeded their own expectations. I love that I only have to have a vision and ETI is there to help me execute it with amazing itineraries and great service from start to finish!”
Ultimately, Sorenson encourages other educators pondering student travel to just go for it.
“Do it! It isn't as scary as it seems—at least not when you work with amazing trip planners like ETI,” she said. “The benefits for your students and your program are monumental!”
Courtesy of ETI.
Photos courtesy of Michelle Sorenson.
