The BBC National Orchestra of Wales' American tour runs from 21 January to 2 February.

The Orchestra go on tour after two years of planning which began with an invitation from promoters CAMI in New York.

Preparations have included piloting a new visa scheme and the logistics of arranging for a team of 100 to travel and stay in America with performances at 11 venues.

The Orchestra and Principal Conductor Thierry Fischer perform 11 concerts over 13 days in a tour that includes venues from as far north as Binghamton, 150 miles north of New York, to Florida in the south.

They are joined by renowned Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams and American violinist Joan Kwuon.

The concerts are presented by BBC Radio Wales' Beverley Humphreys, Radio Three's Louise Fryer and Radio Cymru's Beti George.

The venues include exciting large-scale concert halls including a high school, a castle-themed concert hall and one venue converted from a large church.

With instruments and touring gear that results in 4.5 metric tons of freight and over 270 individual items in 45 flight boxes, the Orchestra's equipment is enough to fill the freight hold of a Boeing 747.

The instruments travel to each venue separately from the Orchestra, so we hope that they arrive on time at each destination!

Packing for the players has also provided a challenge, with huge weather differences between the north and south. Hot sunshine is expected in some states and snow in others.

Previous tours by BBC National Orchestra of Wales have included visits to Japan, Germany, Holland, Austria and Siberia.

Tour schedule

• Sun 21 Jan 3pm: Bob Carr Auditorium, Orlando FL
• Mon 22 Jan, 7.30pm: Vero Beach Community Church, Vero Beach FL
• Tues 23 Jan, 6pm: Phillips Performing Arts Center, Gainsville FL
• Wed 24 Jan, 8pm: Hugh Hodgson Hall, University of Georgia, Athens GA (on Radio 3, 1 Feb, 7.30pm)
• Fri 26 Jan, 7.30pm: Anniston High School Auditorium, Anniston AL
• Sat 27 Jan, 8pm: Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport Mews VA
• Sun 28 Jan, 4pm: Center for the Arts Concert Hall, George Mason University, Fairfax VA (on Radio Wales, 11 Feb, 6pm)
• Mon 29 Jan, 8pm: Belk Theater, Charlotte NC
• Tues 30 Jan, 8pm: Fox Theater, Atlanta GA
• Thurs 1 Feb, 8pm - Grand Opera House, Wilmington DE
• Fri 2 Feb, 8pm: Anderson Center for the Arts, Binghamton University NY

Tour slideshow and diary.