Heart & Soul specialty group Prism performing at City Tap House Nashville (credit: Christopher Wolford)

Words + Photos - Christopher Wolford

Heart & Soul traveled south for spring break this year to perform at a variety of venues, take in the local culture, and more. The trip was their first larger tour since their establishment in 2004.

Led by Director Scott Hines, the ensemble kicked off their tour with a trip aboard the General Jackson showboat for some good food and even better music.

The following day, Sunday, Heart & Soul were invited to perform during the morning service at the historic West End Methodist Church.

“They offered that tremendous arrangement of Precious Lord and it was magnificent,” said churchgoer and former West End Methodist Church Director of Music Resources Dean McIntyre,” I find their dedication and talents astounding, especially since Purdue has no music school.”

Immediately following the service, they hopped on a bus to downtown for a Purdue Basketball watch party, accompanied with halftime and post-game performances, at City Tap House, arranged by the Purdue University Alumni Club of Nashville.

During their free Monday, students wandered around Opryland and spent the rest of the day exploring Nashville’s sights and sounds.

The tour concluded on Tuesday with a visit to the National Museum of African American Music followed by a one-on-one workshop with American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle, whom Hines first met when she was a first-year student at Belmont.

“I had the amazing opportunity, and pleasure, to be Melinda’s accompanist and knew immediately she was destined for great things,” Hines said. “The chance to introduce my students to [her] and have them experience her expertise, generosity and absolute joy of music is something I will keep with me forever."

Check out an exclusive behind the scenes video of the trip right here!