This upcoming week some members of the band will be taking an exciting trip down to Nashville, Tennessee, to learn more about music, visit classic sites and actually perform in the legendary music city.
The band generally takes a trip every two years, and Band Director Steve Johnson estimates that this experience has been going on for about 20 years.
“Nashville is one of the great music cities, so I’m looking forward to hearing some of the world’s best musicians playing music that surprises me,” said Johnson.
The band leaves 7 a.m. on Friday, March 6, and will return to the school about midnight on Tuesday, March 10.
While on the trip they will first be attending a mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation and then going on a steamboat cruise with lunch and live music, touring Opryland, the National Museum of African American Music and the Belle Meade and experiencing a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
There will be fivw chaperones as well as a parent who is the trip coordinator.
“Traveling and experiencing other parts of the country are key parts of understanding our musical identities as Americans, and I’m honored to help a great director like Mr Johnson make this happen for the band members,” said Mr. Greg Geiser, a chaperone for the trip.
This will be his fourth NDA band trip for Geiser, who says he provides security for the nighttime.
Twenty-four band students will make the trip spring break trip to Nashville.
“’m looking forward to the trip because it will give me the chance to bond with the band members outside of school and get to know them better in a different setting,” said junior Ben Foster.
The band will be performing at Belle Meade Plantation, on the square at County Music Hall of Fame and outside of the Grand Ole Opry.
The students will also be receiving a master class by Vanderbilt University and doing an educational recording at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“My personal goals for the trip are for the students to have a great time being together as a band performing, for them to hear great music and for them to be together as a group of friends,” said Johnson.
