Find a partner for your exchange concert
An exchange concert is a reciprocal visit between two ensembles: you travel to your partner, give a joint concert to their audience, and next time they come to you. Hall, audience and often accommodation are provided by the host. The hard part is the partner: similar size, similar standard, a region within reach, members who host guests. That is exactly what we match, in Germany and across Europe.
What makes a good partner
Most exchange concerts fail not at the concert but at the wrong counterpart. The table shows what we look at when matching.
| Criterion | Works | Does not work |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Between half and twice the size of your ensemble (rule of thumb) | 90 singers against a 16-voice vocal ensemble: hosting and the joint piece become difficult |
| Standard and repertoire | Similar ambition, programmes that complement each other (sacred and secular, choir and brass) | A competition choir against a community choir with no common ground for the tutti piece |
| Distance | Two to eight hours of travel, so the trip fills a weekend and the return visit stays realistic | The next village (no reason to travel) or two flights (the return visit never happens) |
| Hosting culture | A society with active members who provide beds and dinner, and a committee that stands behind it | Only the conductor is enthusiastic, the members know nothing about it |
| Occasion | Anniversary, twin town, festival, the partner's concert series, a joint work | No occasion: the concert stays one date among many and gets postponed |
Experience values from organising travel for ensembles. With every suggestion we state what we know about the partner and what we do not.
How the matching works
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Describe your ensemble
Type, size, standard, repertoire, preferred region, dates for your visit, whether you can host guests privately, and the occasion behind it. Informally, via the contact form.
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Receive partner suggestions
Usually within two working days you receive one to three ensembles that match size, standard and region, with what we know about hall, audience and hosting culture. Picked by hand, not compiled automatically.
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Contact and agreement
If a suggestion fits, we put you in touch. Dates, programme, accommodation and the written agreement (who pays what, who reports to the collecting society, what happens on cancellation) you settle directly with your partner. We remain available for questions.
If you need a coach or accommodation for the trip to your partner, we can name specialised partners on request. concertbase does not organise the travel itself.
An exchange concert in brief
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 12 to 18 months ahead | First contact, rough dates for both visits, who hosts first |
| 9 to 12 months ahead | Host secures hall or church, guest fixes the travel date and polls its members |
| 6 months ahead | Programme: two blocks of 25 to 30 minutes each plus one or two joint pieces |
| 3 months ahead | Accommodation with members or in a group house, shared meal, promotion by the host |
| Concert day | Joint rehearsal of 60 to 90 minutes, concert, meal, fix the date for the return visit |
| 12 months later | Return visit with roles swapped |
In detail, with the typical mistakes, in the article Exchange concerts explained.
Frequently asked questions about exchange concerts
How do you find a partner for an exchange concert?
Through twin towns, associations, festivals, conductors' networks or a matching service such as concertbase. A good match is an ensemble of similar size, similar standard, a distance you can travel in a day, and members who host guests.
What does an exchange concert cost?
Usually no money changes hands between the ensembles. The host provides hall, promotion and hospitality, the guest pays its own travel. On the return visit the roles swap. As a rule of thumb, an exchange concert costs the travelling ensemble a third of a self-promoted concert in a hired hall.
How much lead time does an exchange concert need?
Twelve to eighteen months for first contact and rough dates for both visits, nine to twelve months for hall and travel date, six months for the programme, three months for accommodation and promotion.
Do exchange concerts work across borders?
Yes, and it is the strongest form of concert tour, because hall and audience come from the partner. What matters is a written agreement in both languages and a return visit with a fixed date. More on touring on the page Planning a concert tour.
Is the matching free of charge?
Yes, a simple inquiry is free and without obligation. Optional paid services will be added later; the simple inquiry stays free.
Describe your ensemble
Type, size, standard, preferred region, dates. We'll get back to you with matching partners, usually within two working days.
Request a partnerRelated pages: Concert venues for choirs · Festival open calls · All use cases for ensembles