BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS
Blues in the Schools is a music education program provided to Columbia’s elementary schools that strives to encourage an appreciation for blues music and its history through mentorship with artist in residence, TJ Wheeler. Although Grant and West Boulevard elementary schools were the original beneficiaries of BITS, this year the program is being offered to students at all 19 elementary schools. Schools that choose to participate will have the option of hosting a musician for a 1-hour assembly or extending the program to half a day.
“Music has always been used to pass tradition and history from one generation to another. Blues history is the history of our nation. Through the Blues students learn about pride, slavery, freedom, civil rights and the movement of America toward a more profound democracy.”
“Learning is all about offering kids opportunities! The Blues in the Schools is an incredible program which presents learning for the whole kid!”
“Any elementary student loves music and this is another way for them to learn”
“In eleven years of teaching music, the 2010 Blues in the Schools program was the most exciting and uplifting experience that I have had the opportunity to provide for my students. In addition to the positive attention they received from T.J. and the adults in our school family, the final performance gave our students something to feel proud about.”
“[watching the kids perform at the festival] is my favorite event ever in the elementary schools. It really brings a tear to your eye”
“The Blues in the Schools program has enriched the musical and social learning of the children at Grant Elementary School.”
“Great and fun to perform on stage every year.”
“Singing with TJ was great because it was fun to learn from someone who was an expert in the blues. I thought it was really cool that we got to write our own songs together and not just sing from a book. Writing, performing and recording our own songs made me feel like a professional!”
“This is art being used as a teaching tool”
“Blues [in the schools] is a great chance for kids to get together and work together.”
- This year, Columbia-area students (and Blues in the Schools participants) helped paint a blues-inspired mural on the exterior of the Columbia Academy of Music.
- Local Columbia artist and owner of ARTlandish Gallery, Lisa Bartlett designed the mural by incorporating student illustrations. Lisa Bartlett was the featured 2010 Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival artist.
- A Community Paint Day was held on Saturday, May 7th from 10am-4pm at the Columbia Academy of Music. Community members gave a helping hand-literally, to help paint three flats which will be used during the festival.
- The mural was unveiled to the city on May 19 from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
- Epiphone will support music education as a staple in the community by providing 20 guitars as permanent gifts to the Columbia School District.
GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC AND SPONSOR A CHILD FOR $25
Make a donation at any Boone County National Bank location or mail a check to:
Boone County National Bank
720 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
*Please make checks payable to “Blues in the Schools”
We’d also like to thank our sponors:
- Fletcher Honda
- Providence Urgent Care
- Robinson Orthodontics
- Epiphone
- Sherwin-Williams
- Mid-City Lumber
- KOMU-TV
- The Columbia Daily Tribune
- Thumper Entertainment
BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS NEWS
- The Columbia Daily Tribune May 20, 2011 “Blues in the Schools Mural is Unveiled”
- Missourian April 18, 2011 “Photo Gallery Painters Work Blues Inspired Mural”
- American Blues Scene May 24, 2011 “Blues in the Schools”
- Columbia Access Television June 4, 2011 “Blues Schools Murals”
- The CoMo Collective April 25, 2011 “Blues in the Schools”
- KOMU May 19, 2011 “Downtown Blues Mural revealed”
- The Columbia Daily Tribune May 8, 2011 “Community Brushes Fill Out Blues Music Murals”
- KOMU April 13, 2011 “Area Students Have the Blues”
“The power of Blues in the Schools is indisputable”
2012 Blues in the Schools contributing sponsors:
