Performing Arts Trip from Nashville to New Orleans
Discover the musical heritage of the USA on your performing arts school trip from Nashville to New Orleans!
You’ll start your tour of the Deep South in Nashville. Nicknamed Music City, this is the home of the country music industry. You’ll then head southwards to Memphis, where the blues were born and Elvis rocked.
Continuing to follow the Mississippi River, you’ll eventually end up in New Orleans. Here you’ll find music that has been influenced by European, African and Latin cultures. Especially known for its jazz, which is so ingrained in the city’s culture it’s even performed as part of the traditional funeral service here, New Orleans is also well regarded for its theatre scene, and film and television production, which have earned it the nicknames ‘Broadway South’ and ‘Hollywood South’.
Suggested Itinerary (9 days, 7 nights)
Visit the Historic RCA Studio B
The only recording studio tour in Nashville, this is an essential inclusion on your itinerary and offers your students the opportunity to explore the birthplace of the ‘Nashville Sound’, which not only made country music popular again, it also established Nashville’s reputation as an important centre for recording music.
Located in the city’s famous Music Row district, you’ll certainly be surrounded by history when you visit the RCA Studio B on your school trip to Nashville – Elvis Presley alone recorded over 200 songs here!
Did you know?
Dolly Parton once crashed her car into the side of the building in a rush to make her first recording session there having just signed to RCA. If you look carefully, you can still see the spot where she hit it.
Visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Learn about the birth of rock and soul music and discover the stories of the musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to live their dream!
Start by exploring the rural lifestyle and culture that spawned the musical traditions of the South - blues, country and gospel. These distinct styles eventually came together in Memphis, as people moved to the city from the countryside.
You’ll go on to find out how the music industry boomed in Memphis and how it influenced and was influenced in turn by social and political changes.
Did you know?
The museum is located on Beale Street in downtown Memphis. This street played a pivotal role in the history of the blues. From the 1920s to the 1940s a number of artists performed in venues along the street, helping to develop the Memphis Blues style.
Tour the Sun Studios
Tour the studios where Elvis Presley made his very first recording! In fact, these studios have played a very important role in the beginnings of a number of iconic careers, including those of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis.
This is also said to be the studio where the very first rock ’n’ roll single was recorded – ‘Rocket 88’ by Jackie Brenton and His Delta Cats.
But the studio will forever be known for its association with Elvis Presley, who walked into the studio at 18 years old having just graduated from high school. And in 1956 it was the setting for an impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, later dubbed the ‘Million Dollar Quartet’!
Did you know?
While the studio is a museum during the day, at night it still hosts recording sessions – a number of famous musicians have recorded here in more recent times including Def Leppard, Chris Isaak and U2.
Day 1
Morning
Flight to Nashville
Afternoon
Arrive in Nashville
Group to be met on arrival and take short city tour as you transfer to your acommodation
Evening
Evening meal at BB King Blues Club restaurant
Day 2
Morning
Spend the morning at RCA Studio B making your own recordingafter a short tour
Afternoon
Lunch at the Country Music Hall of Fame, followed by a visit to the museum
Evening
Enjoy dinner and a show at the Grand Ole Opry
Day 3
Morning
Depart from Nashville after breakfast at your hotel
Afternoon
Tour of Jack Daniel's Distillery and Memphis city tour
Evening
Evening meal at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street with time to explore
Day 4
Morning
Visit to Sun Studio where Elvis recorded many of his hit songs
Afternoon
Lunch at the famous Corky’s BBQ
Tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory and visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
Tour Elvis’ home, Graceland
Visit the Civil Rights Museum where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated
Evening
Evening meal at the Majestic Grill restaurant
Day 5
Morning
Leave the hotel and travel into Mississippi to Natchez
Afternoon
City tour of Natchez
Evening
Evening meal at Castle Restaurant and Pub
Day 6
Morning
Travel to New Orleans
Afternoon
Enjoy a swamp tour and visit to Oak Alley Plantation
Evening
Evening meal at Huck Finn's restaurant
Day 7
Morning
Visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
See the IMAX movie 'Hurricane on the Bayou'
Afternoon
Lunch at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Board the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler
Tour of the Old US Mint
Evening
Evening meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Day 8
Morning
Breakfast at the hotel
Afternoon
Transfer to airport via a short city tour of New Orleans, to see the areas devasted by Hurricane Katrina
Evening
Flight to the UK
Day 9
Morning
Arrive UK
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
N/A
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7 nights' half-board accommodation
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Airport transfers in resort
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All flights including tax
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed information pack
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Entrance fees to attractions as shown in the programme
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Itinerary can be done in reverse
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Itinerary planning service
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Overland transportation
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VAT
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Exploring music genres, styles and eras in greater detail
- Blues, Jazz, Swing and Big Band
- Innovations in music from 1900 - present day
- Instrumental Jazz from 1910 - present day
- Jobs and organisations of the performance industry
- Social, cultural and historical influences on performing arts
- Musical performance
- Producing music using technology
GCSE
- Exploring musical context, language, performance and composition
- Broadening musical horizons
- Roles and responsibilities within the performance industry
- Performing arts within society
Educational activities and visits
Gibson Guitar Factory
Take a complete tour of the Gibson Beale Street Showcase in Memphis. This is an unmissableopportunity to witness the intricate… Read More
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is the perfect place to celebrateover 80 years of great country music. The Opry offers an… Read More
Historic RCA Studio B
In the heart of Music Row, you can experience for yourself the magic, the stories, and the music at Historic… Read More
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is about the birth of rock and soul music, created by the Smithsonian Institution… Read More
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles… Read More
Sun Studio Tour
There are few studios that have had such an impact on the world as Sun Studios in Memphis. The Sun… Read More
Cultural activities and visits
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Walk beneath the bright and glowing Caribbean Reef tunnel which is 30 meters long, marvel at the beauty of the… Read More
Historic Beale Street
Memphis is the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll. Beale Street has been playing the… Read More
Jack Daniel's Distillery
Known all over the world for its square bottle and black label, Jack Daniel's Whiskey has long been linked with… Read More
Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the Mississippi River in the town of Vacherie, Louisiana. Protected as… Read More
Swamp Tour
See the Cajuns of the Bayou living and surviving in harmony with the swamps. Here, the waterways are their highways.
From… Read More
The Queen Creole Paddle Wheel Boat
The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen boat cruises along the Mississippi River both during the day and at night. An authentic paddlewheeler… Read More
Accommodation
The Americas Best Value Inn is a three storey buliding that offers 75 guest rooms and suites. Accommodation is close to many fine restaurants, businesses, and historic landmarks.All rooms have complimentary wireless hi-speed internet, a refrigerator, microwave, cable television with HBO, radio, wakeup service and much more.
The Baymont Inn Memphis East has 96 guestrooms, accessible via elevators and interior corridors. Guestroom amenities include cable television, in-room coffee and a complimentary USA Today newspaper and high-speed Internet access.
This historic property features beautifully finished deluxe rooms. Facilities include a continental breakfast, 24hr front desk, vending machines, a games room, outdoor pool, restaurant, lounge, Internet access, satellite TV, air conditioning, tea & coffee making facilities, maid service and more.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
2 Launching your trip to parents and students
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
3 After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
4 While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
5 After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Need help?
Zoe Campbell — Tour Advisor
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
I have found Halsbury to be efficient and patient with my never-ending questions and keeping me updated with requirements. The team are excellent and I felt like they couldn’t do enough for me.— Malvern St. James Girls' School
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