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Blues in the Schools reaches New Audience !! Fruteland Jackson was in the Rockford area on Thursday and Friday, April 15-16, to do four more of his award-winning Blues in the Schools programs for area students. Mr. Jackson appeared at Eisenhower Middle school in Rockford for two morning programs on 4/15 as part of the regular music classes. Fruteland also travel to Roscoe Friday morning to present the first program ever at Kinnikinnick School , followed by an afternoon presentation at Hononegah High School, again for the music students. In total, over 550 students were given the opportunity to learn more about the root of American music, the Blues. Many listened with great interest as Fruteland traced the history of the music from it’s origins in field hollers, work songs and spirituals. Each of Mr. Jackson’s demonstrations of the music through vocals and guitar playing received appreciative applause from the students. Crossroads also sponsored a concert Friday evening in the Performing Arts Center at Hononegah H.S. with Fruteland and a fellow guitarist, Paul Kaye, formerly of Devil in the Woodpile. A small but appreciative crowd was treated to over two hours of music and stories that highlighted the acoustic blues tradition. Several students brought their parents to the concert, a testament to the appeal of Blues music. At our July membership meeting, the Board and Officers approved funding of $1700 for Blues in the Schools programs for the Fall semester. Plans are in the works for the possible return of Fruteland and Michael "Hawkeye" Herman, or possibly some new Blues educators. Look for more info in the next newsletter. These programs are supported by
a new grant that we received from the Community Arts & Humanities Fund of the
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Their generous gift allows Crossroads
to expand this year’s offering of programs, especially this Fall when we plan to
return to the Freeport area while continuing to reach schools in Rockford and
surrounding communities for the first time. This agency joins our other partner,
the Rockford Area Arts Council, in supporting Crossroads efforts to keep Blues
music alive through education. A big thank you to both groups for their support
!!!
July-August 2004 Newsletter
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