On the weekend of April 5-7, the Potomac High School Band journeyed to Nashville, Tennessee, the epicenter of a huge country and jazz music scene, for the Nashville Heritage Festival. The trip was filled with performances, concerts, and unforgettable bonding experiences, leaving us with lasting memories.

The trip’s highlight was undoubtedly the band’s participation in the festival, where the jazz and concert bands performed in front of three judges and an open audience. Our hard work and dedication paid off, as each of our ensembles came in first in their groups. Jack Morgan ’24 and Lauren Hilliard ’25 were recognized for their outstanding musicianship by winning individual awards. 

In addition to the competition, we explored the Nashville music scene. We visited the iconic Grand Ole Opry, the home of country music, and The Country Music Hall of Fame, where we immersed ourselves in country music’s rich traditions and culture. We also enjoyed a dinner cruise on the General Jackson, a paddlewheel riverboat, cruising down the Cumberland River.

We will also always remember our tour of the famous RCA Studio B, where our jazz band got to record two songs. Studio B has been responsible for some of the most recognizable country music hits, including Dolly Parton’s “Joleen,” Elvis’s “It’s Now or Never,” and “Devil in Disguise.”