An essential music festival should give you a once in a lifetime experience that is special and incredibly specific to what that festival offers, such as cultural music, stunning locations and incredible service. The following are 5 essential music festivals from around the world that you don’t want to miss. 

Glastonbury

Glastonbury Music Festival is an essential music festival because it is one of the most iconic and well known music festivals in the world. Glastonbury festival is held for five days in summer, during late June, near the civil Parish of Pilton, Somerset. 

Glastonbury music festival needs no introduction, and without exception the festival is guaranteed to have an incredible, ever-changing line-up of incredible stars and musical legends. Glastonbury is almost a right of passage for any true music lover, and festival goer will experience a world like no other for five days, from rough and unpredictable weather, to hundreds of places to visit and sites to see, to mainstays of the local culture to enjoy, like food and famous cider. 

Please note that parts of the Glasonbury music festival may not be suitable for younger festival goers. 

Australian International Music Festival 

The Australian International Music Festival is a festival that is essential to a young musician’s experience and education. The festival is held at the Sydney Opera House in New South Wales, Australia, during a 7-day period that lasts from June to July. 

The Australian International Music Festival is an event that gives young musicians from all around the globe a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at the Sydney Opera House with over 1000 other participants in Jazz bands, wind bands, orchestras and choirs. The festival also puts young musicians in touch with world-class musicians in workshop classes and allows them to meet new and diverse people with rehearsal exchanges and a festival afterparty to make time for new and old friendships. 

Are you browsing for the best choices of music tours and festivals for your students? Why not look at the many options available here at World Project South Pacific?

Coachella

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, more commonly known simply as Coachella, is a mainstay of American culture and has formed a popular zeitgeist all of its own since it officially started in 1999, making it a must-see and essential festival. Coachella is held at the Empire Polo Club in Coachella Valley, Riverside Country of Southern California, for two weekend periods during April. 

Coachella is famous for outstanding and breathtaking performances from some of the most popular and famous musicians of every year. Coachella is an interesting and absolute way to step away from daily life for a weekend and enjoy and participate in Bohemian fashion, interactive and interesting art, and a unique culture that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. 

Please note that parts of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival may not be suitable for younger festival goers. 

The Midwest Clinic

The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, also known more simply as the Midwest Clinic, is the world’s largest instrumental music education and is an essential music festival for both learning musicians and their teachers. The Midwest Clinic is held in Downtown Chicago, in the United States, during the mid-December period. 

The Midwest Clinic is an event that is solely dedicated towards musical education, and is made for both young artists and their teachers. Young musicians will be given the chance to perform and learn from some of the best in the industry, not only in music, but in the act of teaching itself, while musical teachers can attend lectures, workshops and demonstrations on how to teach their craft in newer, more interesting and effective ways. 

Summa Cum Laude Festival

The Summa Cum Laude Festival, also known as the SCL Festival, is a youth music festival of classical bands, dancers, choirs, and orchestral performance. The festival also includes competitions for each of these categories, with the winners performing at the winners gala event. Summa Cum Laude Festival is held in Vienna, Austria, from the start of July onwards, typically for a period of five days. 

Summa Cum Laude is an essential music festival because it offers young and upcoming musicians a chance to celebrate music in such classic venues as the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as participate in competition and workshops to truly develop their musical skills in a way that few other festivals offer. 

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World Projects South Pacific specialises in curating unforgettable music tour experiences for schools and music groups: here’s our top five music tour destinations for 2024.

1. China

As one of the most culturally rich destinations in the world, China is the perfect option for a truly unique music tour. China’s vast and diverse landscape greatly compliments the country’s history as one of the world’s first ancient civilisations. The options for a life-changing music tour are endless and only limited by your imagination. Popular activities include: 

• Walking the ancient path of The Great Wall of China 
• Visiting the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square 
• Viewing the profound size and detail of the Terracotta Warriors 
• Learning about the art of silk making through a silk factory tour
• Enjoying the sheer beauty of Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as ‘the city of heaven, the most magnificent in the world’.

2. The United States

For a diverse and vibrant music tour, you can’t beat the USA. Whether you traverse the entire country to soak up the sights and sounds, or focus on a particular region, the sheer variety and depth of the musical options available are unparalleled. American schools, universities and community groups are always excellent hosts who welcome with open arms the opportunity to exchange and collaborate with Australian performance ensembles.

Potential tour highlights include:

• The East Coast: enjoy a Broadway show in New York, visit the monuments and discover the rich history of Washington DC, or even obtain a truly new cultural experience through a visit to the Amish country in Philadelphia. 
• The West Coast: visit sunny Anaheim to experience a Disneyland Soundtrack Sessions workshop, enjoy the marvellous beaches of San Luis Obispo, take a guided tour of Hollywood and the Sunset Strip, visit the Grammy Museum or even soak in the many sights and museums of San Diego’s Balboa Park.
• The South: a truly American cultural experience to see where so much of today’s popular music was born. Enjoy attractions such as the Alamo and Johnson Space Center in Texas, the Blues Highway of the Mississippi Delta, The French Quarter of New Orleans, Sun Studios and Graceland in Memphis and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

3. The United Kingdom

Whether you’re experiencing the beautiful valleys and mountains of Scotland and Wales or the buzzing metropolis of London, a music tour in the UK will inspire and amaze, as well as raise your performance skills and experience to the next level.

With a rich musical history dating back through the Middle Ages (and beyond), the UK offers a plethora of enriching experiences – musical and otherwise. Uniquely British experiences include:

• Trips to iconic historical sites such as Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the British Museum, the Roman Baths, and many historic castles. 
• Literary experiences such as visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Wordsworth’s Lake District, and of course the Harry Potter Tour!
• Unparalleled musical experiences like workshops at the Royal Northern College of Music, sectionals with the London Symphony Orchestra, tickets to the latest West End musicals and performances in inspiring spaces such as Stoller Hall and St John’s Smith Square.

4. Cuba

Cuba is arguably the most musical destination on the planet – indeed, music is inseparable from daily life. Cuban music is internationally renowned due to its strong African and European influences. Uniquely Cuban experiences include: 

• Walk through the streets of amazing Old Havana 
• Visit the historic Cueva del Indio 
• Take part in a Cuban salsa dance workshop 
• Enjoy a night concert at the Buena Vista Club at Plaza America
• Take part in public performances at the Prado of Cienfuegos City and Santa Clara Square 
• Undergo exchange performances with educational institutions including Amadeo Roldan Conservatory, Alejandro García Caturla Conservatory and The National School of Music in Havana.

5. New Zealand

Just a stone’s throw from home, New Zealand is the perfect introduction to international music travel. 

The spectacular sights and sounds of the North Island and the South Island never fail to deliver, with multiple opportunities for performances, exchanges and workshops, along with learning about the rich culture of the indigenous Maori people and how their music is ingrained in life in New Zealand. 

Meanwhile, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore some of the southern hemisphere’s most dramatic natural landscapes from the high peaks, lakes, volcanos, glaciers and more. Other popular activities include: 

• Visiting Rotorua’s Whakawerawera Thermal Reserve 
• Visiting Matamata’s ‘Hobbiton’ movie set, as featured in The Lord of the Rings 
• Experiencing a traditional Maori Hangi meal 

World Projects South Pacific specialises in unique music tours to incredible destinations around the world. We customise every tour to your requirements, with tours incorporating full-time tour managers, performance opportunities, sightseeing activities and workshops with talented clinicians.

To arrange an unforgettable music tour experience, contact us today.

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