Endorsements

Testimonials from some of the many ensembles who have enjoyed touring with Kingsway International

"For exciting musical travel in China--excellent concerts, super guides, outstanding accommodations, comfortable air-conditioned buses and efficient, safe domestic air travel, good dollar value--we will certainly be happy to recommend Kingsway International to other groups. I cannot imagine any other company providing a better China tour experience for US musical groups--at this moment in history, for this reasonable cost."
- Catharine Melhorn, Mount Holyoke Glee Club Alumnae

"We did indeed have a great tour! China lived up to our expectations and the kids enjoyed the mix of performance and sight seeing. I thought the 10-day time period was just right. Especially enjoyed meeting with, hearing and singing with the Chinese Choirs. Thank you for the great opportunity!"
-Larry Hoenig, Germantown Friends School
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"Kingsway International is thoughtful, complete and worthy of any traveler's trust… I would definitely recommend Kingsway for any other choral group!!"
-Eric Knapp, The New Jersey Choral Society
Ridgewood, New Jersey

"Kingsway clearly understands the values of touring as well as how to put the details together to ensure a successful tour in today's changing climate. For the 90+ members, this was an extraordinary time."
-David Morales, Contare Con Vivo
Oakland, California

"Traveling by group is always a little rough for me, but this was a big success for us in terms of community building and experience. I was thanked by participants hundreds of times during the tour. If we were allowed by the church to do so, we would certainly consider doing it again in the future. I would say that this tour exceeded my own personal expectations by a wide margin!"
-Doug Lawrence, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church
Menlo Park, California

"Our tour was a wonderful experience performing in a world-class venue. Many people dream of performing at the Opera House in Sydney. The trip was both inspiring and educational."
-Priscilla Shaw, George Washington High School
Denver, Colorado

"Overall, our trip was fabulous and far better received by the Italians than I had expected. The Greeley Chorale experienced lifetime memories and for this, I thank you. Did we have a wonderful trip? I find it difficult to find another experience in my life that will equate!
Flexibility! You define the word!!! I was continually amazed by your ability to change, add, delete, alter the printed itinerary, and do so while maintaining the integrity of the tour and the respect of the people.
Impressive! The tour guides made this trip click! Equally impressive!! Kingsway International - I can't say enough good. You will receive my highest recommendations to anyone who asks - and many in the music world do!
Wow…wow…wow! It was the most exciting trip we've taken - and we've been on five international tours. I credit Kingsway with our success. Thanks so much. One final word! I am going to China again! Can you help me get there a third time? This time, however, I want to stay longer!"
-Carl Gerbrandt, Greeley Chorale
Greeley, Colorado

"After a decade of Kingsway's professional services to Chapman's choirs, we toured Greece this year and just returned from another outstanding tour…the finest venues, music and cultural exchange, accommodations. Bravo!"
"The Kingsway team including President Paul Lam and Oliver Scofield combine all the elements needed for making the Olympic performance year a unique success. Paul Lam, a native of China and, Oliver Scofield, who organized international elements of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Olympic Torch Relay public entertainment program have worked with top level cultural, government, music and educational organizations for over 20 years. It's hard to imagine another organization that can provide comparable music experiences in this incredibly dynamic and complex nation."
-Dr William Hall, Dean, Chapman University
Orange, California

"Kingsway International produced an historic collaboration between outstanding women's choruses from North America and the talented women of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing…"
-Judith Willougby, Conductor
First Annual China International Women's Choral Festival

"Kingsway International organized an outstanding trip to Australia for SCCC (Southern California Children's Chorus). The performance of the Berlioz 'Requiem' in the Sydney Opera Hall provided an experience of a lifetime!
It was a privilege to perform with other great artists under Dr. Hall's baton.
Thank you Kingsway, Mr. Paul Lam, for a life changing musical opportunity."
-Lori Loftus, Southern California Children's Choir
Newport Beach, California

"Kingsway International produced a first-class, thoroughly professional concert in the Sydney Opera House with Eric Whitacre as our fine conductor. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would recommend Kingsway International without hesitation to anyone considering major international travel, as they are a very well-organized, responsive organization with a superb staff!"
-Dr. Stan Engebretson, Artistic Director, National Philharmonic Chorale - Director of Choral Studies, George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

"Though I've been to Central Europe before on performance tours, this tour to Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, and Budapest was the most amazing trip I've ever experienced. Kingsway International really went above and beyond to satisfy our needs."
-John Byun, Murrieta Valley Master Chorale
Murrieta, California

"The China Children's Choir Festival was truly successful. Seeing all involved in this cultural exchange with Chinese and American conductors and children working together was like creating a beautiful rainbow. We will always cherish the memories of this beautiful time we spent together."
-Tang Chongqing, Accompanist for China Children's Choir
Beijing, China

"The Indianapolis Children's Choir recently completed a very successful tour to China with Kingsway International. From beginning to end, all details, both musically and logistically were handled with extreme care and professionalism."
-Henry Leck, Founder and Conductor of the Indianapolis Children's Choir

"Our recent choral tour to Scotland was 'State of the Art' if this phrase can be used to describe our experience. Kingsway International and our European tour guides provided for every detail and more than what would normally be expected! Definitely a highlight of our choir's life experiences that will never be forgotten!"
-Shawn P. Portell, Director of Music Ministries/Organist
Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Missouri

"Our tour of Vienna, Prague, and Budapest was a masterpiece of planning, precision, and style. Down to the last detail, Kingsway International served my students and I like royalty. We performed to great audiences in premiere venues of each city: St. Nicolas Church, Karls Kirche, and Matyas Templom. They managed the tour so well that the students had nothing to complain about, and were relegated to simply enjoying themselves!!
I'll never use any other company to tour internationally."
-Jason Harney, Upland High School
Upland, California

"I found the accommodations to be first rate and the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The itinerary was well planned with almost every available minute used for our benefit - either sightseeing or getting ready for our concerts. The performance venues were excellent and the audiences were near capacity and were very appreciative. I would heartily recommend Kingsway International to anyone planning an overseas tour."
-Dr. Larry Griffith, Lipscomb University Concert Choir
Nashville, Tennessee

"After touring over 20 times in the past 30 years with several agencies, our last tour with Kingsway International to China was simply the most outstanding tour that our organization has ever experienced. I recommend them highly."
-Dr. Lyndon Woodside (1935-2005), Conductor
Oratorio Society of New York - New York, NY

"I am completely satisfied that - with Kingsway - my ensembles will continue to experience the very best that performance touring can provide, outstanding service and attention to detail, incredible venues and audiences, appropriate balance of cultural exposure and free time and knowledgeable and confident guides."
-Sam Struempler, Anchorage Youth Choirs
Anchorage, Alaska

"Kingsway International and its staff provided the experience of a lifetime for our choir.
Our choir had never been on an overnight trip before this tour! Our Kingsway tour managers made us feel comfortable as world travelers during our 13-day adventure. Many of our children and chaperones had never traveled far from their homes or on airplanes.
Our tour manager and staff helped them become confident enough to explore Florence, Venice & Vienna on their own during our leisure time.
Kingsway staff members became a part of our choir family, giving us the greatest experiences possible during our 13-day tour. We were reluctant to leave them in Vienna!
Kingsway arranged the ultimate in performance experiences for my choir…a Papal audience…a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica…singing with the Vienna Boys Choir! Who could ask for more?"
-Deborah Desforges, Director, Gainesville Youth Chorus
Gainesville, Florida

"Kingsway made our trip to China and the concert presented by American and Chinese women an experience to fondly remember for a lifetime. Every small detail was attended to and the tour guides were flexible in wanting to accommodate everyone's wants and needs."
-Linda Howell, Walla Walla Valley Choral Ensemble
Walla Walla, Washington

"Spiritsong's tour to China confirmed our belief that singing together produces hope for this planet. What better way to link hands with those we had been taught to fear? Our tour was a dream come true, from the performances by our choir, under a huge banner welcoming us to China, for audiences of several hundred who clapped and stomped for more, to the well organized tourist activities, meals, and hotels put together with the special desires of our active group and the expertise of the Kingsway guides. I have traveled on numerous musical tours on six continents and can honestly report that no group I've experienced does it better than Kingsway.
Bravo! We look forward to traveling with you again."
-Vicki Blake, Spiritsong
Bonners Ferry, Idaho

"Kingsway International is an amazingly flexible, responsive company! Because of the SARS outbreak our planned tour to China was cancelled just four weeks prior to departure, and Kingsway was able to change our itinerary to Scandinavia in two days! It was a very satisfying tour! I highly recommend Kingsway to any choir!"
-John Goldsmith, Heinz Chapel Choir - University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"After returning from their week long performance tour of Italy, many students felt it had been the experience of their lifetime. We've all grown musically, and developed an appreciation for the history and culture of Italy. Thank you Kingsway International for everything!"
-Adam Speakman, Choral Director, Downingtown High School East Campus
Downingtown, Pennsylvania

"From the planning of our itinerary to the flight home, Kingsway's professionalism and first-class service made our tour of England and Ireland that "once-in-a-lifetime" experience I was hoping my students would get to enjoy. We performed at the best performance venues, had great food and hotel accommodations, and had the best itinerary with the friendliest and most informative tour guides, all for a price that was incredibly reasonable. After experiencing what the other agencies offer, there is no chance I will ever tour internationally with anyone other than Kingsway International!"
-Keith Hancock, Tesoro High School Choral Music/Guitar
Las Flores, California