History

CCIS was created in 1993 when its founder, Bryan Stevenson, was a successful high school music director planning his group’s up-coming trip. Realizing he didn’t have the extra time required to devote to handling all the details, yet feeling a keen sense of responsibility to arrange a stimulating and educational trip, he approached the festival company about making arrangements for the additional meals and attractions which they did not include in their standard package. The festival company agreed to make these arrangements; however, he was soon aware of the significant mark-up they were charging for this additional service. It was then he recognized the need for an affordable travel planning service for groups who preferred customized arrangements of the highest caliber.

At the suggestion of clients who were dissatisfied with the typical festival experience, CCIS developed a more educationally sound and rewarding group travel opportunity. Musicate, The Non-Competitive, Educational Alternative to Festivals & Competitions, launched in 1996, featured a private 2-hour, video taped, educational clinic with nationally known conductors and a 30-minute lesson for the Director immediately following their group’s clinic. Five years later, in response to a number of schools who required a competitive element, Musicate expanded to Festivals of Excellence. This program retained Musicate’s educational focus, trademark clinics and nationally known clinicians, but added a competitive element for those desiring the opportunity to compete.

In 2005, due to the ever growing number of festivals, CCIS, who was spending as much as 2-hours on stage with each ensemble, found it was no longer able to remain competitive in a marketplace where other companies were running as many as four or more groups across their stage every hour. Although we have made the decision to return to our roots, CCIS is proud that these programs set a new, higher educational standard for festivals & competitions throughout the nation!

CCIS once again focuses all of its energies on customized group travel planning and we are constantly striving to offer our clients the highest level of quality, convenience, expert planning, & affordability. We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you and your group!