What is "Blues in the Schools" All About?

Blues In The Schools (BITS) is a nationally acclaimed cultural and musical appreciation program that helps students understand the rural and urban African-American culture.  Age appropriate content is formatted to deliver high quality learning experiences that meet the goals and fulfill the mission of  Blues In The Schools, Inc.  Based on this premise, this program was developed to suit the needs of students in a variety of settings from organizations to schools.

Many areas of culture and art are explored in a hands on setting where students actively participate in the creation of music and composition of songs that represent them.

The purpose of the program is to introduce students to the Musical Art form that originated in Africa and was brought to the new world via slavery. The music has since undergone many changes but still maintains the essence of deep expression that the tradition it is based on instills.  The programs goals include providing a forum where students can identify the cultural, geographical and historical origins and evolution of Blues music and the people who composed and played it while gaining an understanding of it's significance in the world of modern music and popular culture.

What is a Typical BITS Program Comprised Of? 

Programs will vary, but the following topics are typical of a BITS program:

How Does Crossroads Blues Society Accomplish All This?

We work to raise funds through membership, donations and matching grants.  We collect annual dues from members and receive donations from citizens who share our conviction to keep the blues alive.  Grants from the Rockford Area Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois have also been received each year.  The funds that are raised and collected each year are used to host Spring and Fall programs in area schools.

What Are Some Example of Recent BITS Programs That Have Been Held?

BITS programs have been done annually since 2001.  The most recent programs were in Spring 2007.  Ann Rabson returned for the third consecutive year of BITS programs.  She performed for two days while newcomers to BITS Reverend Raven and Madison Slim did a day of programs together.  The three artists also performed for a Community concert at the Just Goods Listening Room in Rockford.  Schools visited:

In 2006, we conducted three sets of programs.  In all, 3,300 students attended the twelve 2006 BITS programs that we sponsored in 2006.  The twelve programs were all held at different schools and all of the schools were new to our BITS efforts.  Ann Rabson, Hawkeye Herman, Dave Weld, Jeff Taylor, Barrelhouse Chuck and Eric Noden participated in our 2006 BITS programs.  Schools visited:

We also held an evening community concert at the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford as part of our April and December 2006 programs.  We also held a “Blues House Party” as part of our September program.

In 2005, we hosted three sets of programs in a total of nine area schools with over 3,500 students in attendence.  Ann Rabson, Hawkeye Herman, Fruteland Jackson, and Billy Branch conducted our 2005 BITS programs.  Schools visited:

We also held an evening community concert at the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford as part of both our April and September 2005 programs.

Has CBS Been Recognized for Their Efforts?

CBS received the 2005 Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Award for Best Musical Outreach Program.  The outstanding BITS efforts by CBS have brought praise from educators and local arts and music industry people.  All programs have been well received by area schools.  Each Spring or Fall Program reaches between 1,500 and 2,000 students.  The programs are very economically run; program cost run well under a dollar per student, and the programs do not cost anything for the schools.

National BITS Information from the Blues Foundation

For more information about Blues in the Schools, please visit this Blues Foundation web site:

http://www.blues.org/bits/index.php4

Some of Our Prior BITS Efforts

March 2007 BITS under construction

September and December 2006 BITS under construction

Ann Rabson Returns for BITS April 2006

December 2005 BITS with Billy Branch

September 2005 BITS with Hawkeye Herman and Fruitland Jackson

Ann Rabson April 2005 BITS

Hawkeye Herman and Fruitland Jackson September 2004 Blues in the Schools