The Tribune

KINGSWAY Academy elementary student choir, Heavenly Voices, will travel to the music capitals of the United States – Atlanta, Memphis and the “music city” Nashville – as part of a six day tour.

The tour, which begins March 27, will expose the student choir to various musical genres, including rhythm and blues, classical and country.

They will also visit various landmarks, including Graceland and the Stax Museum for American Soul Music in Memphis. With hundreds expected to be in attendance at Alexander Memorial AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia and Fisk University in Nashville, the 50-member choir will perform gospel and Bahamian folk songs, as well as play classical and Broadway pieces on saxophone and the piano.

Led by Fisk alum and choir director, Francyss Pratt, the choir will learn first hand about the expectations of the music industry and how music has evolved over the years.

“I wanted to show them my musical lineage, but the exposure to music outside of the Bahamas, I hope, will give them an even deeper appreciation for music, seeing where it has evolved from and how the 21st century benefits from it.” Ms Pratt said.

A large Bahamian contingent is expected to greet the students and Kingsway faculty in Nashville on the first leg of their tour.