Tours

Established in 1878, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra (GWO) is the oldest collegiate touring band west of the Mississippi River. It has toured both nationally and internationally almost every year, performing in some of the grandest stages and concert halls in the world. GWO currently rotates between an international tour, a domestic tour, and a Minnesota “run-out” tour. Past tours have included Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Canada, and Germany, where GWO was honored as the first American ensemble to receive invitation to present a concert in East Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. GWO will tour Sweden and Denmark in 2027 as a kick-off to their 150th anniversary year.

The Gustavus Jazz Ensemble (GJazz) is the premier touring concert jazz ensemble. With a focus on community, cultural and historical awareness, and creativity, GJazz prides itself on its multifaceted repertoire of classic Big Band works and cutting-edge arrangements by today’s leading jazz composers. Past international tours have visited Greece, Macedonia, Singapore, Malaysia, Scotland, and Ireland. In addition to its tours and other on-campus performances, GJazz performs yearly at Crooner’s Supper Club in Minneapolis. GJazz will tour Spain and Portugal in combination with the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra in May of 2028. 

Founded in 1888, the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is the premier touring string orchestra. Currently, it rotates on international, domestic, and Minnesota “run-out” tours. In addition to on campus performances, including Christmas in Christ Chapel, GSO has toured extensively across the United States and internationally nearly every year, including to the British Isles, the People’s Republic of China, Greece, Macedonia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, and Scotland. GSO will tour Spain and Portugal with the Gustavus Jazz Ensemble in May of 2028 in celebration of their 140th year.

The nationally renowned Gustavus Choir (GChoir) is the flagship choir in an active and highly integrated choral program. Rooted in Lutheran choral heritage, GChoir performs sacred music from all historical periods and champions new music by contemporary composers. It travels internationally once every three years, and domestically two out of three years. For nearly a century, GChoir has appeared in cathedrals, conservatories, and cultural centers around the world, including in Scandinavia, Russia, Asia, South Africa, and dozens of European countries. The Gustavus Choir will tour Japan in May of 2026.