Spalding’s music department recently traveled to Nashville for its annual performance trip, which combined musical excellence with unforgettable experiences. After an 11-hour bus ride, they arrived in the City of Music to showcase their hard work.
The trip was filled with amazing performances from every ensemble. Our Guitar Ensemble earned a gold rating for their songs, and all of the ensembles delivered strong performances, showcasing their amazing talents. A major highlight of the trip was recognizing four Spalding students with the Maestro Award, an honor given to outstanding individual performers.
Outside the performance venues, everyone had the chance to explore some of Nashville’s iconic attractions. A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum gave students a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history of music, and lunch on the Historic General Jackson Showboat offered both sightseeing and live entertainment. They also stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, where, without leaving the hotel, they could explore winding pathways and gardens, and some could look out their windows to see a waterfall.
Beyond the scheduled events, some of the best moments came from simply having time together with their friends, whether it was exploring the Resort or being stuck on the bus. The entire trip was filled to the brim with laughs and memories. The trip home even included a stop at Buc-ee’s, which was some people’s favorite part.
The dedication and passion of Spalding’s music department were on full display, and the trip was a wonderful experience for all.
Maestro Award Winner Spotlights:
Noah (Eli) Zapata – Guitar Ensemble and Chromosome Y
Favorite Moment? – “My favorite part of this amazing trip was unexpectedly hearing my name called up for the Maestro Award, walking to the stage, and turning around to see my school standing up in the Convention Center, cheering for me. I also loved the night walks we had in the inner cities of the Resort and, of course, the Bus rides.”
Evan Behum – Guitar Ensemble
Favorite Moment? – “Spending time with my friends and crushing the performance with my ensemble!”
Sasha Russey – Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Cavs, Mixed Chorus, Chromosome Y, Women’s Chorus
Have you received this award before? – “Yes, 2023 and 2025 (+an honorable mention in 2024).”
Standout performances? – “I had two solos in Jazz Cavs and was the principal accompanist for the choir groups, playing with both Mixed Chorus and Women’s Chorus.”
Favorite Moment? – “Getting to play in so many different ensembles and being able to receive a maestro award alongside three of my fellow talented musicians to represent the Spalding music department.”
Jonah Kadlec – Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Cavs
Standout performances? – “I had solos in Jazz Cavs on “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “Crunchy Frog.”
Favorite Moment? – “My favorite part of the trip was hanging out with my friends. The hotel was beautiful, so having the opportunity to walk around and talk was great! Also, the ferry ride on the General Jackson was super cool, and all the musicians were very talented!
