While some students may only fantasize about 80 degree weather, sunny beaches and relaxing music this spring break, 60 UNI students and school of music faculty will live that dream during the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra concert tour of Brazil.

The symphony orchestra will combine with the orchestra at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul for performances.

“Getting together in that realm is a powerful statement about how much we really do have in common,” said Rebecca Burkhardt, director of NISO. “Through student and musician interaction, we can create a relationship and have a good experience as humans on the earth, not just Americans and Brazilians.”

The group will leave March 14 and return March 24. During their time in Brazil, UNI students will perform various solo and combined concerts.

“There are eight chamber ensembles that are coming out of the orchestra to do a chamber music recital,” Burkhardt said. “We may do some impromptu guerilla recitals outdoors depending on the day.”

Performances will feature a variety of music, including Brazilian and American.

For Emily Linder, senior performing arts management major and Brazil tour intern, playing Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1” will be a highlight of the trip.

“As a horn player, that’s something we dream about, just playing any sort of Mahler,” Linder said. “I’m excited to get the chance to play the entire symphony.”

Burkhardt said the tour is an incredible performance opportunity and UNI students will benefit from playing with Universidade de Caxias do Sul students.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this symphony by ourselves. It’s a very large work,” said Burkhardt.

Olivia Randolph, senior performing arts management major and Brazil tour intern, will not play in the orchestra but nonetheless looks forward to the performances.

“I’m excited to see the different ways that we handle music and business between the U.S. and Brazil and to hear the combined orchestras together,” Randolph said.

Outside of performances, there are several sightseeing opportunities, including tours of Porto Legre and a vineyard. On the last day, the group will go to the Atlantic Ocean.

“We will have a whole day at the beach, a wonderful dinner and dancing in the evening,” Burkhardt said. “It worked out really well. We will do all of our performing and then have a whole day and a half where we can just play.”

Despite the trip’s approximate cost of $2,100, Burkhardt believes the experience will be worth it in the end.

“They’ve worked very hard, and I think we’re going to give them their money’s worth on this,” Burkhardt said. “They’re going to learn a lot about themselves, music, playing and Brazil.”