Guess the role. Who needs to be able to nurture and empathise, yet command in a crisis? Where must you plan meticulously – even catastrophise, to be prepared for anything – but also be unafraid of the unknown? What rules must be upheld – and when is it better to turn a blind eye? If you’re part of the EUYO community, you may already be shouting the answer: yes, it’s the Tour Manager.  

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the European Parliament’s decision to found our Orchestra. And for half of this half-century, our Tour Manager has been Colin Window. As Colin steps back from touring and moves to special project management, he reflects on the changes, the constants, and the soul of these 25 years of work.