The Stetson School of Music’s Symphonic Band is headed to Costa Rica for its first-ever international tour May 12-20. Featuring concerts at prestigious venues in the San José area, the tour also will provide 59 students with the opportunity to connect with local musicians through cultural exchanges.

The band’s itinerary includes performances at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre (Teatro Eugene O’Neil), a major concert hall in San José, as well as the National Theater. In addition, students will take part in a collaborative concert with a local high school band, fostering musical and cultural connections.

The tour is another example of Stetson’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning. And, like other students, Geoffery Barthle, a horn player in the Class of 2026, anticipates growth.

“This tour offers me a chance to grow both as a musician and as a person, challenging me to adapt to new environments, collaborate with diverse audiences, and represent our school of music with excellence,” Barthle said. “This experience will undoubtedly contribute to my professional growth by expanding my perspective, strengthening my performance abilities and deepening my passion for music.”

Chandler Wilson, PhD, director of Bands and assistant professor, will lead the tour. Having previously worked at Florida State University and Eastern Michigan University, Wilson recognizes the value of international experiences.

“This is more than just a tour; it’s a life-changing experience our students will always remember,” he said. “The chance to engage with another culture and share something as meaningful as music creates connections and memories that last a lifetime.”

Beyond performances, students will immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s culture and geography, with the itinerary also encompassing visits to the Doka Coffee Plantation, Arenal Volcano, Tamarindo Beach and Palo Verde National Park.

The tour is organized in partnership with Perform International, a leading provider of music and cultural tours.

Along with experiential learning, Stetson’s School of Music is an undergraduate-only program known for its excellence, depth and longstanding reputation for high-quality education. The school offers BM, BME and BA degrees, with majors in performance, music education, music theory, composition and outside-field areas. Recent graduates are found on the stages of the world’s great opera houses, hold leadership positions in major symphony orchestras, serve as faculty members of the most prestigious colleges and universities throughout the nation, and matriculate in distinguished graduate programs in the United States and Europe.