Music to Your Ears

Locations that honor music—no matter the genre—often honor a certain slice of history, too. Preserved homes of famous musicians contain the spaces where singers recorded iconic soundtracks and collaborated with other artists. Acclaimed stages and theaters also hold memories of when musicians—who are now household names—first launched their careers.

For this reason, taking your students on a tour of these destinations will not only guide them on a musical journey but also will provide them with a history lesson. Youth Travel Planner has highlighted some of the most notable sites in each region that will have your students eager to face the music.

MIDWEST

In the early 1980s, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation leaders decided they wanted a physical space to honor rock artists. Thousands of musicians and music fans worked hard to convince the foundation that it should place the iconic shrine in Cleveland, Ohio, rather than a larger city like New York or San Francisco. These huge waves of support paid off when the foundation selected Cleveland as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame destination in 1986. Your students can learn more about how Cleveland became a mecca for this genre of music on the “Hello Cleveland!” tour—one of several educational group experiences offered at the museum. With seven floors of exhibits and galleries to explore, young learners will discover how rock ‘n’ roll has transformed over time.

In another part of the Midwest, students can visit Paisley Park, the creative haven of an artist widely remembered as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Prince spent nearly 30 years at the estate, recording best-selling hits, collaborating with other songwriters and performing his blend of funk, soul, and pop. Famous singers like Madonna and Lizzo also were drawn to Paisley Park to record and mix some of their music. Today, Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, continues to serve as a venue and recording studio, in addition to a museum. Among three different tour options, your group can admire the studios and stages that shaped Prince’s musical sanctuary.

NORTHEAST

The 1960s were filled with social unrest as the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement unfolded. Amid the upheaval, organizers of the Woodstock music festival wanted folks to gather for “three days of peace and music.” Thousands of young people traveled to Bethel, New York, in August 1969 to do just that. Today, students can roam the field where festival attendees stood and immerse themselves in music of the ’60s at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Some of the center’s volunteers and tour guides attended the historic festival and can describe firsthand experiences from the event. After all, “Woodstock isn’t one story,” says Teresa French, program manager for Bethel Woods. “It’s almost half a million stories.”

Also in New York, school tours can go to the Apollo Theater, where Billie Holiday, James Brown, Lauryn Hill, and others launched their music careers. Beginning in the 1930s, the Apollo became the premier showplace for live entertainment in the Harlem neighborhood. Students can learn about musicians who were integral to the Harlem Renaissance and the genres that defined the Apollo’s legacy.

SOUTHEAST

Jazz—often regarded as America’s greatest art form—has rich roots in Kansas City, Missouri. Musicians flocked to the city’s 18th & Vine historic jazz district in the 1930s and 1940s, where jazz clubs and Black American businesses thrived.

“We like to say jazz was born in New Orleans but grew up in Kansas City,” says Muriel Boyd, docent and volunteer manager for the American Jazz Museum. Located in the 18th & Vine neighborhood, the museum gives youth groups a glimpse into the sights and sounds of jazz’s history. Museum exhibits feature four jazz masters: Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.

“You can hear jazz through the different eras,” says Kara Smith, education programs manager at the museum. Youth tours can even catch a live performance and a Q&A session with an artist through the museum’s “Free Jazz @ Noon” series, which is held on the first and second Thursday of every month.

For young groups with taste for country, bluegrass, or gospel music, consider a visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee—north of the Great Smoky Mountains. “There’s just something for everyone,” says Cordelia Morrell, director of sales at Dollywood Parks and Resorts. At dinner shows, groups can enjoy a four-course meal while witnessing live stunts, special effects, and music productions. String bands, gospel groups, and roots musicians also give performances at venues throughout the park on a daily basis. Student bands and choirs can register to perform at Dollywood’s entrance and, later, explore more than 50 amusement park rides.

WEST

One of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic legends was born in Lubbock, Texas, where his namesake museum and art gallery now stands. Buddy Holly rose to fame in his 20s with hits like “Everyday” and “Peggy Sue” before he died in a plane crash in 1959. Still, music from his brief career went on to inspire other rock bands, such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The Buddy Holly Center displays memorabilia from his life, like his guitar, as well as artwork made by locals.

“We want to encourage artists—no matter the style of art they create,” says Tanis Blount, the center’s education and volunteer coordinator. Student groups can book a virtual or in-person tour at the center to see artifacts from Buddy Holly’s life and learn more about rock ‘n’ roll history. Blount says groups should schedule their tour at least one month in advance.

To appreciate some of the best musicians across all genres, take your students to the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, California. School groups can explore interactive exhibits that celebrate “Music’s Biggest Night,” including a display of fashion worn on the Grammys’ red carpet and a breakdown of how the Recording Academy selects winners. The GRAMMY Museum also offers educational workshops for youth as a way to dive deep into a specific aspect of music history, music production, or music careers.

By Ta’Leah Van Sistine

Main Image: Apollo Theater, New York City, New York; Credit: Shahar Azran