Known as the “Heart of the Country Music Industry”, Nashville, Tennessee is the next destination for Agoura High’s Wind Ensemble, Choir, and Orchestra. Members of the group usually travel to New York City, but this year, director Bob Hackett decided on something special for the program. Why not take an exciting flight with friends to one of the music capitals of America?
The highlights of the trip are visits to the Grand Ole Opry, The Parthenon, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and other music themed locations. The Grand Ole Opry, which has hosted performances from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, is a wonderful venue for live country and bluegrass. The Parthenon is a replica of the original Parthenon in Greece, and serves as Nashville’s art museum. As for the Country Music Hall of Fame, as self-explanatory as it is, I can’t help but mention the great opportunity to view some of America’s most interesting country artifacts and stories.
Our school’s young musicians will have the opportunity to not only tour the brilliant city, but perform in the Worldstrides Nashville Heritage Festival and receive valuable feedback on their playing and possibly win awards for their performance. Before that, though, students will take the bus to Vanderbilt University’s music hall. On its picturesque campus, the Agoura students will participate in a music clinic to refine their performance before the festival.
Not to mention the food! The group will eat world-renowned fried chicken, baked mac & cheese, BBQ, and choose their own meals at the Gulch, the town’s high end neighborhood for shopping and food. After each full day of touring and performing throughout the weekend, the groups will get to rest easy at a comfy Holiday Inn near the Nashville State Community College.
The music program at Agoura High is always open to new students, and whether it’s choir, strings, wind, or jazz, there is a place for every person looking for a chance to grow. Overall, the trip is a great opportunity for members of the music program to embrace the rich culture of Nashville, Tennessee, and grow closer as a music community!
