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Homeschool Programs

Virtual Opportunities Available

Programs for Groups of Any Size

Homeschool Days

Offered once a month, Homeschool Days provide interactive, engaging educational programs based on themes relevant to our one-of-a-kind collection. All programs are led by Museum staff and volunteers who facilitate unique experiences designed specifically for homeschool students. Advanced registration required to participate. Each Homeschool Day program costs $15/family for non-museum members and $10/family for family-level museum members. A minimum number of students is required for programs to take place. Recommended for ages 8 and up, but all are welcome. Each Homeschool Day program is approximately one hour long and includes an optional one-hour tour afterwards. Program start times are listed below.

Please email schools@countrymusichalloffame.org with questions and concerns.

Homeschool Day Programs:

 

Is It a Fiddle or a Violin?

In this partnership program, students tour both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. They hear from live instrumentalists who compare and contrast the fiddle and the violin by sharing their history and playing several musical examples.

September 7, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.

 

Science of Sound at Historic RCA Studio B

Conducted at Historic RCA Studio B, this program shares the history of the studio and the songs recorded there by artists like Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Charley Pride. Students explore engineering in a real-world setting, learning how soundwave properties and manipulations impact music and the recording process.

October 6, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.

 

Songwriting 101: Introduction to Words & Music

This program teaches students the basics of songwriting and establishes songwriting as a creative outlet to explore and process emotions, capture experiences, share stories, and express individuality. The program can be used to strengthen skills learned in traditional language arts units, as well as provide an interactive and collaborative writing experience with a professional songwriter.

November 2, 2022 | 2:00 p.m.

 

String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry

Experience a lively telling of the history of country music, through marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry, and more. Starting with the early days of string-band and gospel music and continuing with the birth of the Grand Ole Opry, the audience meets the great icons of country music as the show travels through time, from classic recordings to present-day hits.

December 1, 2022 | 11:30 a.m.

 

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Words & Music for Homeschool

Homeschool students can strengthen their creative writing skills by participating in the Words & Music songwriting program. Through five weekly classes, students in grades 3-8 are guided by a museum educator and songwriter to create their own song lyric. The course culminates with a performance workshop that features a selection of student lyrics set to music by a professional songwriter. For students in grades 9-12 interested in participating, please email schools@countrymusichallofame.org.

Advanced registration required. Family-level museum members receive a course discount. A minimum number of students is required for this course to take place. All classes will be held virtually on FieldTripZoom (a link will be shared via email). The final performance workshop will be held at the Museum.

Pricing:

Family-level museum members: $40; Non-members $60.
Price includes all five lessons.

2022 Dates:

September 7, 14, 21, 28 | Performance on October 19
All sessions will be held at 1:00-2:00pm CDT
Referrals: Families may receive one complimentary home school program (following Words & Music) for each referred family that registers for Words & Music. Offer valid through the 2022-2023 school year.

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Meet Your Instructors

Aaron Helvig is the Words & Music Program Manager. He helps develop education programs and curriculum, presents workshops to teachers, and serves as a staff songwriter for various songwriting programs. Prior to joining the Museum’s education team in 2019, Aaron taught band, guitar, songwriting, and studio production at Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

As a music educator, he has served as a guest instructor, clinician and judge for various music festivals, camps, and organizations in Tennessee and his native Arizona, as well as an education curriculum consultant for Quaver Music. Aaron performs regularly in Nashville with his acoustic duo, Emberland. As a trombonist, he has performed with notable artists including Randy Brecker, Danny Gokey, The Jacksons, and The Temptations. Aaron earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Music from Northern Arizona University.

Annie Adams is the Words & Music Program Coordinator. She assists with Words & Music, Songwriting 101, and occasionally serves as a staff songwriter as well. Prior to joining the Museum’s education team, Annie taught voice, piano, guitar, and songwriting to students of all ages.

Annie has been an active member of Nashville’s music scene since she arrived in 2009, writing and performing original country/Americana music regularly under the stage name Annie Kennedy. In 2016, Annie was featured in the “Rockin’ Boots” campaign for RocketBuster Boots and named one of four women “Trailblazers”. She has performed all over the US and internationally, booking a solo tour in Amsterdam in 2017. Annie continues to write and perform today, also working as a professional studio vocalist and ensemble singer. Annie holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University.

Programs for Groups of 10+ Students

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  • Guided Highlights Tour

    During an interactive tour of the exhibits, students learn about the history of country music. Integrating the museum's architectural details, music, films, visual art, and historic artifacts, the exhibits provide students with a multi-layered learning experience. During the tour, students have opportunities to listen to recordings and learn how different people, styles, and influences have affected the music. Students also learn about the growth and development of Nashville as a music industry center. All programs include a Guided Highlights Tour except Making Waves at Studio B.

    • Lesson Length

      1 hour 30 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      K-12

    • Group Size

      10+ Students

    • Curricular Connections

      Language Arts, Music, Social Studies, Visual Art

  • Songwriting 101

    Learn songwriting fundamentals, including the basics of song form, rhyme scheme, meter, and secrets behind the creative process. Working as a class with guidance from a professional songwriter, students will analyze a song then write original lyrics and advise on musical components. The program ends with a group performance of the new composition. See the Teacher Resources page for the program lesson guide. Additional fees apply.

    • Lesson Length

      2 hours 30 minutes, includes Guided Highlights

    • Grade Levels

      K-12

    • Group Size

      10+ Students

    • Curricular Connections

      English Language Arts, Music, Social Studies

    Teacher Resources

  • Hatch Show Print Tour

    Learn how the oldest surviving letterpress print shop in the U.S. thrives in the digital age. At Hatch Show Print, students learn the letterpress printing process, from initial sketches to the final pass through the press. Students explore the shop’s connection to Southern entertainment and the history of graphic design, and discover how this 19th century print shop thrives in the digital age. The program culminates in an original limited edition poster hand-inked and printed by students.

    • Lesson Length

      75 minutes

    • Group Size

      10-50 students

    • Curricular Connections

      STEAM, TN Social Studies, Visual Art

  • Dazzling Designs

    In this program, students focus on stage costumes, accessories, and instrument design from the museum's collection. By looking at design details, students learn about different eras in American and country music history, as well as personal expression and symbolism. Following an interactive museum tour, students have a chance to create their own designs.

    • Lesson Length

      60 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      K-3

    • Group Size

      10+ Students

    • Curricular Connections

      English Language Arts, Music, Social Studies, Visual Art

  • STEAM: Science of Sound at Historic RCA Studio B

    Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest operating recording studio, exists at the intersection of science, technology, history, and music. In this interactive videoconference program, students evaluate how reflection, refraction, and other properties of sound waves shaped the studio space. Students will also learn about the rise of Music Row and hear the songs recorded by artists like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Waylon Jennings that defined this studio as the “Home of 1,000 Hits.”

    • Grade Levels

      2-12

    • Group Size

      10-50

    • Curricular Connections

      Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, STEAM

  • STEAM: Listening Technology Over Time

    Explore the history of music listening technologies—from the gramophone to the iPod — in this interactive videoconference program. Students are challenged to think critically as they make observations, compare and contrast, and eventually discover how and why these technologies have changed over time. This program utilizes multimedia to provide a powerful look at the intersection of history, art, and technology.

    • Grade Levels

      2-12

    • Group Size

      10-50 students

    • Curricular Connections

      Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, STEAM

  • Is It a Fiddle or a Violin?

    In Texas, it's a fiddle. In Boston, it's a violin. In Nashville it depends. This one-of-a-kind, toe-tapping partnership joins the resources of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with those of the Nashville Symphony. From tours to musical performances-classical to country music-Is It a Fiddle or a Violin? will challenge you to think about music in new ways.

    • Lesson Length

      120 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      K-6

    • Group Size

      10-150 students

    • Curricular Connections

      Fine Arts, Social Studies, Performing Arts

  • Words & Music

    Using an award-winning lesson guide, teachers lead students through the lyric-writing process. Completed lessons are followed by a program with a songwriter who adds melodies to students' original lyrics. This experience requires significant class time. Lyrics are due at least two weeks before program date. This program is offered at the museum or at your school.

    • Lesson Length

      120 minutes (includes Guided Highlights tour)

    • Grade Levels

      3-12

    • Group Size

      10+ Students

    • Curricular Connections

      English Language Arts, Music, Social Studies

    Learn More

  • Student Performances

    Make your mark on Music City by showcasing your school's student band, orchestra, or chorus in the Mike Curb Conservatory. Entertain museum visitors in an unforgettable experience. Tour the museum before or after the performance.

    • Lesson Length

      30-minute performance, 90-minute Guided Highlights tour

    • Grade Levels

      K-12

    • Curricular Connections

      Music

  • Self-Guided Museum Tour

    Learn about country music, from its pre-commercial folk roots in the nineteenth century through its modern-day popularity. Limited-run exhibitions explore artists in-depth and reveal their lasting legacy and impact. Our vibrant experience includes priceless artifacts, rare photos, original recordings, archival videos and more. Register with the education department in advance to request a pack of gallery activities and games.

    • Lesson Length

      At your own pace (recommend 2 hours)

    • Grade Levels

      K-12

    • Curricular Connections

      Language arts, music, social studies, visual arts

  • Riders in the Sky

    Round up your students for cowboy culture at its finest and funniest. America’s favorite saddle pals preserve Western musical heritage, from campfire stories and slapstick humor to flashy fringe shirts and tight harmony signing. Of the many appearances, awards, and accolades earned in their forty year career, Riders in the Sky are revered for creating music for Toy Story 2, which earned the group their first Grammy Award. Come learn and laugh along with guitarist and yodeler Ranger Doug, bassist Too Slim, fiddler and rope trickster Woody Paul, and accordionist Joey “the CowPolka king.”

    • Lesson Length

      70 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      K-5

    • Curricular Connections

      Music, Social Studies, Performing Arts

  • Bill of Rights: The Remix!

    Celebrate our most fundamental freedoms through some of America’s most powerful songs. Bill of Rights: The Remix! tells the entertaining, engaging, and inspiring story of our nation through rock, pop, hip-hop, and country music. Experience a high-energy, multimedia show that illustrates constitutional issues, including freedom of speech and the rights to assemble and to petition the government. James Madison meets Beyoncé with a twist of Loretta Lynn – only in Music City. Combine this program with a museum tour to learn how Nashville and country music takes on a new and deeper meaning in relation to United States history and law. Formerly named Music Matters and Freedom Sings. Presented in partnership with the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University.

    • Lesson Length

      75 minutes; museum tour encouraged

    • Curricular Connections

      English Language Arts, Music, Social Studies

  • String City: Nashville's Tradition of Music and Puppetry

    Learn about Nashville’s emergence as Music City! String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry is a lively telling of our city’s musical legacy. Start with the early days of stringband music and gospel music and the birth of the Grand Ole Opry. Meet the icons of country music as the show travels through time with classic recordings that lead to present-day hits. A unique way to introduce students to their, String City brings history, visual arts, and music together on a single stage. Over thirty country music artists appear in puppet form and every one of them had a hand in helping Nashville become Music City. Let your students discover Nashville’s cultural heritage in a fun, new way! Limited capacity. Tour the museum before or after the performance for a complete field trip experience. String City was created by Nashville Public Library's Wishing Chair Productions in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and was made possible by a special gift from Judy and Steve Turner to the Nashville Public Library Foundation.

    • Lesson Length

      70 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      K-6

    • Curricular Connections

      Social Studies, Language Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music

  • All Access

    Hear stories and gain insight directly from recording artists and other professionals in the music business. An in-person interview in the CMA Theater, All Access explores Nashville’s creative community, history, and culture in depth, and enables students to engage with performing artists through live question-and-answer. This powerful program extends the story told in the museum’s exhibitions and brings the gallery experience to life. All Access leaves a lasting memory that inspires students for years to come. Previous All Access programs have featured Keith Urban and Reba McEntire. Programs are announced as scheduled. Admission is free for Title I Schools.

    • Lesson Length

      75 minutes

    • Grade Levels

      6-12

    • Curricular Connections

      Music, Performing Arts, Social Studies

FAQs

All students need a notebook and a pen/pencil to complete writing activities during the lessons. Worksheets will be provided in person and online which can be completed using a computer/device or can be printed. If students will be attending sessions virtually, families need a computer or device to connect to FieldTripZoom for each lesson.

All lessons will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Students may attend in-person or virtually, on FieldTripZoom. For students participating virtually, a link will be sent to all registered families prior to the first lesson.

Memberships must be valid through the end of February 2022.

Families may cancel and request a refund prior to January 5. Refunds will not be offered once the program begins.

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