Connect your music students with this iconic music city. Jazz, Blues, Cajun, Gospel. New Orleans has it all!
New Orleans hosts a number of music festivals across the year. The French Quarter Festival is Louisiana’s largest music festival and features the world’s largest jazz brunch.
Most of students’ performance will take place in high traffic areas, where spectators just stop and listen. This is how the music scene in New Orleans tends to reveal itself, which means that as you perform you’ll be suitably integrating with the city’s music culture.
Students will also absorb the history of this absolutely diverse culture on a tour to The New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park or the Backstreet Cultural Museum.
Destination: New Orleans
Tour Highlights:
Included:
Terms & Conditions:
Please be advised that this is an ‘example’ of a schedule and that the activities may be variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel.
Day 1
Arrive in New Orleans. Board your private coach and transfer to your hotel for check in.
Welcome to the birthplace of jazz and zydeco, the city thrives on visiting musicians who can walk the same streets as Louis Armstrong, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John. Students can visit concert halls from the 18thcentury and witness contemporary artists continue to innovate “America’s Art Form” on French-influenced boulevards.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 2
This morning after breakfast begin your New Orleans adventure with a guided walking tour. First, you will travel through three centuries of history, legends and romance as you take a walking tour through the French Quarter. You’ll see Bourbon Street, Royal Street, The St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, The French Market and more.
In the afternoon you will visit the Preservation Hall. Every New Orleans music tour requires a visit to Preservation Hall, a 1750 aristocratic residence converted into a performance space. Students can see exceptionally talented jazz combos seven nights a week and might even catch a set from the famed house band.
Tonight you will have some time for rehearsal.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 3
This morning after breakfast Attend a Gospel Brunch (if Sunday). On Sunday morning, churches all over New Orleans raise the roofs with the joyous sounds of gospel. Gospel brunches are a perfect way to experience this uplifting, soulful music while enjoying some incredible New Orleans cuisine.
In the afternoon attend a workshop on Gospel singing.
Tonight you will perform on a Steam Calliope on the Mississippi.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 4
This morning you will join the Backstreet Cultural MuseumTour. The Backstreet Cultural Museum holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of artefacts relating to New Orleans’ African-American community-based processional traditions, including Mardi Gras, Indian processions and Jazz funerals. The museum has records of over 500 events, which have been filmed and constitute the most cohesive archive documenting these cultural traditions.
Later in the afternoon you will perform at Jackson Square. The street performance scene is perhaps most highly concentrated at Jackson Square, which is home to its own vibrant and newly resurgent artist colony. Art in the Square has been a part of the French Quarter since Civil War days when war widows are said to have sold paintings here to support their families. Today, it is the outdoor marketplace for an array of artists with a wide range of styles and backgrounds.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 5
After breakfast head towards WWOZ’s headquarters for a Behind the Scenes Radio Tour, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage community radio station. This listener-supported radio station airs a superlative play list of blues, jazz, Zydeco, Cajun, gospel and more, so you’re sure to have a great time.
This afternoon perform at New Orleans Arena/Hornets Basketball.
Later in the afternoon head to Ogden Museum for an after-hours tour. This is more than a Museum, the Ogden Museum is home to the celebration of Southern culture, including the region’s unique blend of musical styles and talents. ‘Ogden After Hours’ offers museum visitors a weekly opportunity to celebrate the music of the South in an intimate and unique way. The musicians perform live and are interviewed by a guest journalist about their Southern influences, and visitors are also welcome to present their own questions. This is an excellent opportunity for your students to learn about Southern music in a low-pressure environment.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 6
This morning is at leisure to explore the surrounding area.
In the afternoon enjoy a Wednesday at the Square and head down to Lafayette Square for a relaxed afternoon-evening of music. Listen to the various performing artists, relax on the grass, eat the delicious treats available to you and soak up the atmosphere where time seems to stand still and people are so laid back they are horizontal.(Only between the months of March and June)
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 7
This morning head to The New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. The Park, presents a story rich with innovation, experimentation, controversy and emotion. The park provides an ideal setting to share the cultural history of the people and places that helped shape development and progression of jazz in New Orleans. The Louis Armstrong Park is part of the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park and is there to celebrate the life and works of America’s most famous musician. Located in the heart of the New Orleans French quarter, the park’s visitor centre offers diverse opportunities to learn about the history and culture of New Orleans jazz. Ranger-led demonstrations, talks, video documentaries and live music spill forth from the centre six days a week. Lastly, Perseverance Hall in Louis Armstrong Park is the new home for the weekly music workshops.
In the afternoon Performance at St Louis Cathedral. Students are able to play in venerated locations such as St. Louis Cathedral and Houmas House Plantation, a 1775 countryside mansion that will erect a stage on its front lawn. Smaller ensembles can play for the public on the famous Newman Bandstand in Audubon Park, a 350-acre public space filled with pavilions for lunches.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 8
After breakfast board your coach and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Day 9
In transit.
Day 10
Arrive in Australia.
