Program Dates
2027 Season
Program Dates
Overview
Perform at the Nashville Heritage Festival in one of the music capitals of America. Ensembles will take the stage and receive expert instruction and helpful feedback from a panel of experienced adjudicators. They’ll celebrate their accomplishments with an exclusive awards ceremony, dinner, and dance. Optional visits include the Country Music Hall of Fame®.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Nashville, TN
Grand Ole Opry tour
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the sights, sounds, and stories of the country music legends. You'll learn about legends like Minnie Pearl, visit 14 themed dressing rooms, explore the historic memorabilia, and step onto the iconic wooden circular stage where the musical magic takes shape.
AIM Experience Masterclass
Kick off the weekend with a customized masterclass through the AIM Experience. Spend 60-90 minutes working with a professional clinician to refine your festival performance, strengthen your skills, and reinforce what you’ve learned in the classroom.
Day 2
Festival performances
Take the Heritage Festival stage and showcase your ensemble in a professionally adjudicated performance. Each group is given 30-35 minutes on stage for a panel of three experienced adjudicators, who provide both written and recorded feedback to support continued growth. Following your performance, one adjudicator leads an on-stage clinic, offering real-time instruction and reinforcing techniques that connect directly back to your classroom learning, while students also have the opportunity to watch peer ensembles and gain inspiration from other performances.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum visit
Take a deep dive into the history and cultural impact of country music from its origins to modern-day artists at this museum nicknamed the "Smithsonian of country music." Admire Elvis Presley’s gold piano and Taylor Swift’s glittery guitars, while discovering how this music evolved over the years.
Day 3
Festival performances continued
Festival performances continue throughout the day. Your ensemble’s scheduled performance time will be provided in advance, allowing you to plan your day accordingly.
Johnny Cash Museum visit
Explore the Johnny Cash Museum, where artifacts, memorabilia, and handwritten lyrics from his final song bring the story of the Man in Black to life.
Awards Ceremony, Dinner, and Dance
Celebrate at your awards ceremony hosted at Wildhorse Saloon, where choirs, orchestras, and bands are recognized for high scores within their class, and standout individuals are honored for exceptional performances. The evening also includes dinner and line dancing with your group.
Day 4
Depart for home
Already Included
Performance in a national festival
Adjudication by a panel of three renowned music professionals
Hotel accommodations
Onstage clinic
Meals and activities (details in itinerary)
Exclusive awards ceremony
Accident & medical insurance coverage under WorldStrides' industry-leading policy
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Scenes from Nashville
Health & Safety
WorldStrides has been tackling the unprecedented for the last 55 years. Our experienced team is leading the way, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing landscape for student travel. In addition, we have an extensive network in place to ensure the health and safety of all our participants.
Accident & Medical Insurance
For added protection, all travelers are automatically covered under WorldStrides' industry best accident, illness, and accident-related dental insurance.
Name Badges
WorldStrides-branded lanyards provide clear identification and easy access to our WorldAssist phone number, should your student need help.
Doctors on Call
An exclusive relationship with the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates that grants our travelers 24/7 access to medical care through telehealth consultations.
WorldAssist
WorldStrides staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help.
AXA Mental Health Services
For added peace-of-mind, all travelers have confidential access to a behavioral health care specialist while on tour should the need arise.
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.