The band has been a sensational hit, educationally and in the performing arts arena. Through interactions with the Office of the Governor and the Department of Tourism, the Orchestra have been called upon to perform at various activities, locally and abroad. Informally, the band is known as the Ambassadors of the Virgin Islands as they were invited to participate in various activities and requested to travel to represent the Territory as well. Armed with a repertoire of calypso, hymns, jazz and classical music, the band made their first trip off island in 1984. During the Christmas Festival in January 1984, they traveled to the sister island of St. Croix and participated in several carnival and educational activities - Carnival Parades, Panorama and Village Performance; took an educational tour of the island and Hess Oil Refinery.
Then, in August 1984, the Orchestra traveled to Tortola, British Virgin Islands to participate in that islands' festivities as well and visited several of the islands' historical sites on their educational tour. They participated in the Carnival Parade, Market Fair, Village Performance and Jouvert. Shortly after the British Virgin Island's trip, the band then traveled to Washington, DC and performed at Farragut's Square, Howard University's Blackburn Center, the Postal Garden, and at the U.S. Capitol Building. Additionally, their educational tour included Howard University (introducing members to the prospect of higher education), and the Washington, DC Zoo
In the winter of 1985, the Department of Tourism secured an invitation for the Orchestra to represent the Territory in Pasadena, California during the Tournament of Roses Parade. Participation in the parade gave national and international exposure to the Territory, and the band, via television. As a result, the band received numerous invitations to participate in many other activities. During their ambassadorial visit to California, the band performed at Disney World and Knotts Berry Farm and attended a dinner reception at the University of Southern California that was hosted by Virgin Islanders residing in California. The Department of Tourism and the Rising Stars jointly hosted a reception for parade organizer and officials.
In February 1988, the Department of Tourism arranged for the band to perform during Good Morning America's visit to the Territory. GMA did five days of their morning show from the Virgin Islands and Judge Hodge, John Hodge and Mrs. Smith were interviewed during the course of the program and the Rising Stars entertained during the filming. Also in 1988, the band was invited to Trinidad to participate in their Carnival activities. Representing the Territory, the band performed on the Savannah Stage, attended Panorama; visited panyards of different steelbands, participated in educational island tours of Trinidad, visited the Pitch Lake, and were guests of then President of Pantrinbago, Anim Smith.
In March 1989, the Rising Stars participated in a musical and cultural exchange, through the efforts of the Department of Education, with the Edina High School Jazz and Concert Band. Both bands performed at Reichhold Center for the Performing Arts to a full house.
In order to rebuild the Virgin Islands image abroad, after the negative publicity following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, Governor Alexander A. Farrelly and the Department of Tourism - in conjunction with the advertising agency, Greengage and Associates (Richard Ferrelli) - invited the Rising Stars to represent the Territory and participate in a “Thank You” concert at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
The Rising Stars was also invited to participate in the 1987 Inaugural Parade of Governor Alexander A. Farrelly. The band was also invited to perform in their second Inaugural Parade in January 1995 for Governor Roy Lester Schneider. The band has performed several times for the Governor's Youth Games, the Governor's Annual Christmas Party, and the Legislature's Annual Christmas Party.
Once again, the Department of Tourism called upon the band to represent the Territory and participate in the filming of a CBS soap opera, The Bold and The Beautiful. In April 1992, the band performed on Main Street as CBS filmed one of the scenes. This episode was shown on television in May of that year.
In the midst of all these initiatives, the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra was opening up their performance circle to include Taiwan. In his efforts to expand the tourism and economic base of the Virgin Islands, Commissioner Eric E. Dawson of Department of Tourism) sought and received an invitation to Taiwan. He later contacted Judge Hodge and requested that the Rising represent the Territory on an international tour.
With contributions from the community and the Division of Tourism, during the summer of 1991, the Rising Stars embarked on a two-week advertising and promotional tour of Taiwan that was coordinated by the Tourism Division and Greengage and Associates - the advertising agency of the Virgin Islands. The band performed at several locations in Taiwan, including: Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Taichung Culture Center - Chung Shan Hall, toured the Lin Family Garden, Taiwan Movie Studio, Taichung Folklore Park, the Natural Science Museum, Window on China and played at and toured the Taiwan Army Training Center. Judge Hodge, and various members of the band, were also interviewed by Taiwan Television during one of their performances.
Still concentrating on the Far East, Commissioner Dawson in August 1994, spearheaded another international tour for the Rising Stars and they were headed to Japan. During their “Japan Tour in ‘94”, the band performed at Tutumi Elementary School, Tokyo Gas Triple Towers, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center, Sumida Riverside Hall, Honjo Junior High School, Chikura City, Ashigara Service Center, Dangou-Zaka Service Area, Sano Service Area, the American Festival and the Edo Museum. In addition to touring the above facilities, they also toured the Smithsonian Institute, Iwaturi Highway Control Center, Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, and the MBJI Shrine. The band also hosted a dinner at the, Tokyo Capital Hotel, for all the persons who had contributed to our promotional tour.
Later in 1994, the Rising Stars participated in a cultural exchange with the Japanese Folkloric Dancers and held a joint performance in the Emancipation Garden.
During the summer of 1997 the Orchestra was invited, by the Center for Black Music Research, to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at their 1997 Inter-American Conference on Black Music Research. This conference was paying a special tribute to Virgin Islands Bandmaster Alton A. Adams, Sr. and the Rising Stars was selected to perform at the Navy Pier's Skyline Stage. Following their performance, Howard Reich of the Arts and Entertainment section of the Chicago Tribune gave them an outstanding review.
During the Rising Stars Chicago tour, they participated in various educational and recreational tours, to include: the Lincoln Park Zoo, the United Center, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, the Sears Tower and ate dinner at the Michael Jordan Restaurant. In addition, they also attended a Major League Baseball game at Comisky Park and performed again at Douglas Park.
In January of 1998, President William “Bill” Jefferson Clinton and his family traveled to St. Thomas for their second vacation in the Virgin Islands. The Risings Stars received an invitation, from the Office of Governor Schneider, to perform for the President, during the welcoming reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. President Clinton was so impressed by the band's performance, that he came over to personally thank and encourage them in their pursuits. He also posed for pictures with the group.