For three days in early May, the Haverford High School Choir, composed of the Chamber Singers and Concert Chorale, experienced the iconic city of Nashville, Tennessee. From professional recording sessions to standing on legendary stages, visiting Nashville definitely proved to be an experience that the entire choir will never forget.
Our first day kicked off bright and early with breakfast at the hotel before heading to Vanderbilt University for a choral workshop. The university’s vocal coach, Tucker Biddlecombe, gave us professional guidance and tips on how to improve our sound and blend. “My favorite thing about the trip was the Vanderbilt workshop. As a choir we’ve progressed so much. Dr. Biddlecomb taught us so much about how to work together as a choir, how to blend more and to unify our sound,”said Senior Genna Ng. One of the day’s biggest highlights was our visit to the legendary RCA Studio B, the same studio where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and countless other music legends recorded their greatest hits. We actually were able to record our own songs in this historic space–an experience that was very special and meaningful. Standing where so many musical greats have stood before was something none of us will ever forget.
Our evening concluded with a performance by the Nashville Symphony at the stunning Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The theme of the symphony was “La Vida Loca,” a tribute to Latin music and culture. The concert itself was a blast, filled with numerous artists such as Jackie Mendez as a vocalist and Jose Sibaja on Trumpet. In addition, it was filled with intricate lighting elements along with vibrant costume changes throughout. By the end, the entire venue was on their feet dancing to songs like ‘Whenever, Wherever,’ ‘Vivir mi Vida,’ and ‘Como la Flor.’ Witnessing excellent musicians perform was truly inspiring. As we headed back to the hotel, our heads were swimming with the day’s musical experiences.
Day two began with visiting the National Museum of African American Music, where we not only explored the exhibits but also had the incredible opportunity to perform in the museum’s lobby. Singing pieces that showcased African-American heritage, such as ‘Wade in the Water,’ was a powerful experience for our entire choir. After our performance, we headed to the Assembly Hall for lunch before making our way to the Musicians Hall of Fame. The Musicians Hall of Fame sheds a spotlight on the ‘behind-the-scenes’ musicians of America – those who lent their talent to recording studio versions of songs instead of being in the public eye. Walking through the exhibits featuring instruments and memorabilia from famous musicians across all genres gave us a deeper appreciation for the history of American music.
Next up was the enormous Opryland Hotel with its indoor gardens and waterfalls, a short visit before dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. The Southern comfort food at Paula Deen’s gave us the energy (and some food poisoning!) we needed for the main event, a show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. The Opry has been the heart of country music since 1925, and sitting in that audience, we could feel the energy the building contained. The performances, featuring artists such as Vince Gill and Old Crow Medicine Show, were outstanding and showed us why Nashville deserves its nickname as “Music City.”
Our third and final day in Nashville began with a tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Walking through the Ryman was like stepping back in time. The auditorium hosted the Grand Ole Opry for over 30 years and has welcomed countless music legends to its stage. We then had some free time to explore Broadway, Nashville’s energetic entertainment district filled with music venues, souvenir shops, and street performers. It was a chance to pick up some mementos and soak in the lively atmosphere of Nashville’s music scene.
After our free time, we transferred to the Nashville Farmers Market for lunch. The market gave us lots of options to choose from before we headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibits there walk you through the evolution of country music from bluegrass to pop-country, with neat displays of instruments, costumes, and interactive exhibits. After some more free time on Broadway to grab last-minute souvenirs, we headed to Nashville Airport and boarded our flight home.
Our visit to Nashville was so much more than just a school trip; it was a deep dive into America’s musical heritage that gave us first-hand experience with recording, performance, and music history. As senior Riley Younger-Walker put it: “I thought it was so fun. I love that the choir got the opportunity to go to Nashville and explore different kinds of music. I definitely would remember the influence that other music genres have on each other and how it affects culture and tradition…the trip was a fun experience, and I’m happy to have had it.”
From our workshop at Vanderbilt to our recording session at RCA Studio B, from our performance at the National Museum of African American Music to our visits to the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry, every experience in Nashville contributed something special to each of us!
