Symphonic Band of Florida’s European Tour no. 3
AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TOURING AND PERFORMING TOGETHER FOR THE SHEER JOY OF THE MUSICAL ACTIVITY
July 6-19, 2026
*Netherlands*Belgium*France*
Who Are We?
The Symphonic Band of Florida
A full instrumentation symphonic band of professional and amateur members, the Symphonic Band of Florida is a travel organization formed each Summer for like-minded musicians to tour and perform communities of Europe.
Where joint concerts with local European bands can be arranged, this band prefers to share the stage in outreach and cultural exchange.
Our repertoire is a blend of popular, classical, and even some newly commissioned works, designed to appeal to a broad audience and provide a variety of musical experiences. The music selections usually include marches, movie and show tunes, seasonal pieces, and classic Americana, as well as local themed music catered to the venues we perform.
A representative sample of our work from a recent concert can be found HERE in demonstration of the band’s abilities*
*Recording by the Fanfare Concert Winds (Tampa, FL), home to our associate conductor and many of our travel members
Who Are We?
Established to Tour!
Believing there were many musicians in the greater Tampa Bay Florida area wanting to perform and travel from the more than a dozen community and concert bands in the area, lifetime community musician Lee Lafleur recruited 43 musicians and a dozen or so friends and family to tour Germany and Austria For 12 Days in 2022.
Band members and audiences alike had such a positive experience that in 2024, a second concert tour to Italy was designed growing the band to 96 travelers including sixty musicians (60).
As of May 6, 2025, one-hundred travelers have registered so far for the bands tour of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in 2026, and with near ideal instrumentation so far.
Diverse Membership
Band members are professional full-time musicians, music educators (active and retired), and advanced community musicians active in one or more of the local community bands. Members come from not only Tampa Bay, but from throughout Florida and 15% from other places in the United States
Commitment to Excellence
The band focuses on creating high-quality musical performances, showcasing the talent and dedication of its members.
The Symphonic Band of Florida���Under the Direction Of…
Musical Director Dr. Jeffrey Traster. Germany/Austria ‘22. Italy ‘24. Netherlands, Belgium, France ‘26.
Associate Conductor Ted M. Hope. Italy ‘24. Netherlands, Belgium, France ‘26.
Dr. Jeffrey Traster
Ted Hope
Under the Direction Of…
Musical Director Dr. Jeffrey Traster Jeffrey L. Traster, DMA is Music Professor Emeritus at The University of Tampa where he served as Director of Bands and Head of Music Education for nineteen years, including Music Department Chair for six years. Dr. Traster has taught in Texas, Ohio, and Florida. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, composer, tuba player and low-brass instructor. Dr. Traster earned degrees from Baylor University (BME), The University of Colorado at Boulder (MM), and The University of Texas at Austin (DMA). He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, and ASCAP. Following his tenure at The University of Tampa, Dr. Traster turned to composing and founded Allegrezza Music Publications. Much of Dr. Traster’s music is composed for his students, Honor Bands, and special occasions. His oeuvre includes music for concert band, low brass chamber ensemble/choir, jazz band, voice, a VBS curriculum with original songs (created and produced in collaboration with colleagues from Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL), and solos for trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba with piano. Eighteen pieces by Dr. Traster are on the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Solo & Ensemble List. WAY DOWN for Concert Band, commissioned by the FBA for the Nine Star Honor Band, premiered in Florida at the 2022 FBA Summer Conference.
Associate Conductor Ted M. Hope Conductor Ted M. Hope has served as the conductor of the Fanfare Winds and Hillsborough Community College for the past 10 years. He was affiliated with the Hillsborough County School District for 39 years and retired as the Supervisor of Middle and Secondary Music after 19 years of service in March of 2023. He received his Associates Degree from Hillsborough Community College, Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University, and his Master of Music Education and Education Specialist from the University of Southern Mississippi. He subsequently taught in the public schools for twenty years as band director at Hillsborough High School (1984-1987) and Bloomingdale High School (1987-2004). He is a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association where he served as chairman and secretary. Mr. Hope’s professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, Hillsborough County Secondary Music Council, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Bay Area Saxophone Quartet and the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators . Mr. Hope is an active clinician and adjudicator in concert band, jazz ensemble, and marching band.
Tour�Instrumentation…
Sixty-five talented musicians as of May 6, 2025
Motivation and Objectives
Cultural Exchange
The tour aims to promote cultural exchange by sharing music and experiences with diverse international audiences and other local bands.
Connecting with Audiences
Connecting with musicians and audiences abroad is a key objective, fostering relationships and collaborations.
Music Education
The Symphonic Band of Florida looks to educate its members to the rich World of community music found in much of Europe.
Choosing our Cultural Interactions
Importance of Destination Selection
Choosing the right destinations and concert venues is vital for ensuring a successful tour and maximizing audience engagement.
Important Cities with Local Charm
The band looks to perform in local Churches, squares, and theaters known for their history of brining the community together
Reaching Diverse Audiences
Performing in various cities in conjunction with known events allows the band to connect with diverse audiences while enhancing the local event.
Performance Resume
2022 Inaugural Germany and Austria Tour
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Countryside
Clearwater, Florida
Frühschoppen Performance
Mondsee, Austria
Mirabell Gardens
Salzburg, Austria
Museum Square
Vienna, Austria
Village Festival
Retzbach, Germany
Town Hall Square
Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany
Performance Resume
2024 Tour of Italy
A Cultural Concert
Tivoli, Italy
Main Square Concert
Norcia, Italy
Community Concert
Spoleto, Italy
An Evening Concert Celebration
Villafranca Piazzale della Chiesa, Italy
Performance Resume
2026 Concert Ambitions; Netherlands, Belgium, and France
Aachen, Germany
Antwerp, Belgium (twice)
St-Aubon, France
American Church of Paris, France
Logistics and Tour Management
Tour Arrangements
The Symphonic Band of Florida’s 2026 tour, as well as our 2022 and 2024 tours, are being handled by the professionals at Tour Resource Consultants (TRC).
TRC offers unique, custom-tailored group travel experiences (performance, academic, and other themed tours) providing complete travel services including tour conception and planning, tour and events promotion, and travel logistics. We take people out of their day-to-day lives to help them experience the extraordinary …around the country and around the world. We focus on two primary types of tours: Performance tours for bands, and orchestras, choirs and other performing ensembles. Academic tours, study abroad, and other themed tour experiences.
2026 Itinerary and Performance Plans
PLEASE SEE OUR PRELIMINARY ITINERARY PLANS
Netherlands, Belgium, and France
Concert Tour
it’s finally
SYMPHONIC
Band of Florida