A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
The Virginia Ambassadors of Music invites and brings together the best musicians in the Commonwealth of Virginia so that we can share our music abroad in Europe.
If you have received one of our invitations,
CONGRATULATIONS!
That means you are one of the best of the best. We hand pick only the best band programs. Next, we ask their directors to nominate their students for for our program. Then we prepare and present our music in European venues. Along the way we get to encounter some of the greatest sites in the western world.
It truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
Scroll down for more details.
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
FRANCE: ROUNEN/CAEN/COLEVILLE
See the magnificent sights of Rouen. Participate in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery. Visit Omaha Beach and perform at the D-Day Museum Courtyard.
FRANCE: PARIS
Guided tour of Paris Historique including Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Musee d' Orsay,
the Artist's Square in Montmartre.
SWITZERLAND: Engelberg and Lucerne
Stay high in the Alps in the village of Engelberg and an excursion into Lucerne. Explore breath-taking vistas on Mount Titlis. Perform in both Lucerne and Engelberg.
AUSTRIA: SEEFELD, INNSBRUCK and SALZBURG
Again high in the Alps in the town of Seefeld. Full day excursion to Salzburg. A guided tour including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Mozart Square and more. Visit Innsbruck and Perform in Seefeld.
ITALY: VENICE
Verona is our next destination. Staying in Venice-Mastre, we will perform in this city in the shadow of Venice.
A magical day in Venice concludes our time in Europe including such sights as St. Mark's Square,
the Doge's Palace, Vivaldi's Santa Maria della Pieta Church.
We end with a VaAM Farewell dinner in Venice-Mastre.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Our Team
Virginia Ambassadors of Music wants your trip to be an experience that you will always remember. We offer a unique and affordable youth travel opportunity for selected musicians for the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can trust our team to provide utmost care and attention to detail. Check out what we’ve got to offer and contact us to receive more information.
STEPHEN H. RICE
Tour and Music Director
Mr. Rice is a music educator with over 35 years of teaching experience. A native of Kentucky, he received his BME in 1988 from the University of Kentucky. He received his Masters in Music Education from James Madison University in 1993. He was the Band Director at West Potomac High School for 28 years.
During his tenure there his bands received numerous superior ratings and performed at the National Concert Band Festival. He is currently the Band Director at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
He has helped guide over 1,500 students from the Commonwealth across Europe since 2006.
WENDY SUE RICE
Executive Manager
Mrs. Rice has over 30 years of teaching experience and is a librarian at West Potomac High School. She has a BM in Music Performance (clarinet), a BS in Elementary Education, and a MSLS in Library Science. Mrs. Rice is has played in the Fairfax Wind Symphony since 2006. She has chaperoned hundreds of high school students through Europe since 2010. In her spare time you can find her reading her favorite fantasy, science fiction, or mystery novels. The Rices have 4 children, all over the age of 21, and Prince Vladimir a very fancy Maine Coon cat with many people on his staff.