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Shawn Gonzalez

KTBA Donates Percussion Instruments to Middle School Music Program

KTBA Donates Percussion Instruments to Middle School Music Program School Name – Echo School Teacher Name: Ms. Elizabeth Halloran, Social Worker SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – Thanks to your donations, KTBA donated brand new percussion instruments to students at Echo School. This includes a deluxe steel drum kit, concert toms, bongos, and a snare drum w/ stand. The following words are from Ms. Elizabeth Halloran, recently appointed social worker for Echo Schools. “I work as a school social worker with students ages 8 to 22 years old in a self-contained school in the south suburbs of Chicago. Every aspect of the students’ learning is modified to fit their individual needs and gain academic and life successes. I love coming into work every day and not feeling like I’m working at all. The students get off the bus smiling, greet me when I come into the classroom, and are willing to work through challenges they face on a daily basis. Teaching students about social emotional learning comes naturally in the environment I work in and a majority of these students are receptive to the lessons, getting in touch with their feelings, and what tools to use to cope effectively. One specific way is through music. We have been able to start a music group for student singers and percussionists to learn new songs, how to work effectively with groups, and following directions.” Currently, the school’s ensemble groups are prospering. The students participate in creating artwork to represent the class and they take personal ownership of their accomplishments. Although the singers are able to work together on a regular basis, the percussionists have been left out. “Bringing more diverse percussion selections will enhance the learning experience of music to our participating students, Halloran adds. “Many of our students who are currently using the limited instruments we have are non-verbal and can use sound and rhythm as their main form of communication. For example, the Wah Wah tube is a ground instrument where students can feel the vibrations as they play. Additionally, students learn structure, working in groups, and overall gaining a tool for self-regulation of emotions.” Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate the necessary instruments for Ms. Halloran’s music program. We look forward to their thriving new projects and their collaborative performances! Elizabeth expresses her gratitude: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Thank you so much for funding the Rhythm Nation Project! I am so excited to inform our students that they will be able to use new instruments in our upcoming practices and performances. This donation will assist in expanding our students’ musical experience and knowledge of percussion playing. Music is a universal language and one that can only be felt from the inside out. I am so happy to continue our program and give our students this positive experience that they so dearly deserve. With gratitude, Ms. Halloran Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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January 29, 2019

KTBA Donates Ukuleles to Young Bronx Musicians

KTBA Donates Ukuleles to Young, Bronx, NY Musicians Teacher Name: Ms. Distefano PS 71 Rose E. Scala School – New York, NY BRONX, NY, USA – Thanks to your donations, KTBA donated twenty-four brand new ukuleles to the music program at PS 71. This will enable K-8 music teacher, Ms. DiStefano, the ability to exercise a ukulele ensemble for the school! “Music is fundamental to the development and growth of every child,” Ms. DiStefano says. “When students come to a music class, they expect to sing or play music. My students are eager and excited, especially when learning how to play a musical instrument.” DiStefano teaches in an urban K-8 school located in the Bronx. She is responsible for nurturing the musical growth and success of at least 600 students or more, at any given time of the year. “Playing a musical instrument is a skill that lasts a lifetime,” she explains. “In my classroom, I am fostering teamwork, autonomy, and a life-long passion for music. Students will learn to work cohesively as a unit when playing in an ensemble; [they] understand the importance of independent practice and work on using the proper communicative skills between musicians and conductors. My students are budding musicians learning how to analyze, create, and perform music. As a music teacher, I am providing my classes an opportunity to explore their creative side while giving them a well-rounded music education.” Class sizes at PS 71 account for up to 33 students per classroom. The ukulele is small and easy to manage and situate in this setting. In terms of volume, playing ukulele is softer when all musicians are practicing simultaneously. With this donation, participating students will learn basic strumming techniques, simple chord progressions, and traditional folk melodies. “Students will start building a vast repertoire on the ukulele and in order for this music making process to occur we need these instruments to play,” she adds. “I would like to also incorporate song writing/composition with my classes. Having these instruments will motivate and inspire them to be their very best musician and composer.” Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate these brand new ukuleles to Ms. DiStefano’s music program. Ms. DiStefano expresses her gratitude for the instruments: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Thank you so much for your generous donation. Now my musicians can all start learning how to jam on the ukulele. It is beneficial to maximize learning time if every student has an instrument to practice on. Your contribution will give my students that new opportunity to play and create music using the ukuleles. We appreciate your support of the arts and music education. Stay tuned for our pics! With gratitude, Ms. DiStefano Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools!   Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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January 23, 2019

KTBA Donates Portable Keyboards to Middle School Music Program

Keeping the Blues Alive Donates Portable Keyboards to Middle School Music Program Teacher Name: Ms. Mandy Papenbrock Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School Jacksonville Beach, FL – Thanks to your donations, KTBA donated seven (7) brand new portable keyboards to the music program at Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School! Yamaha, one of the biggest music instrument manufacturers of all time, has been a longtime advocate for the advancement of music education in schools. Their completely approachable method books, instruments, and music education programs have been a stable for schools all over the country. With the right amount of eager students and a patient, musically skilled teacher, Yamaha brings out the best in young musicians. “Our students are talented and creative beyond measure!” Ms. Papenbrock exclaims. “They are unique individuals who truly want to learn and are enthusiastic about what our school has to offer! They aren’t afraid to try new things and are always coming up with amazing and creative ideas.” [Duncan U. Fletcher Middle] have been struggling with old pianos that often break, however, the students have remained enthusiastic and positive. “They are determined to learn and work hard to take care of the equipment that we do have,” Mandy says. “Your support with new keyboards will make a world of difference! Learning to play the piano offers students a way to explore music and learn a fine motor skill that they can carry with them throughout their lives. As they explore music, they open doors to history, culture, mathematics and more in a fun and exciting way!” With a new set of keyboards to practice theory concepts and learn songs, students at Duncan Fletcher will be able to participate in school functions and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate these brand new keyboards to Ms. Papenbrock’s music program. Now, every child will have an opportunity to get hands-on learning time with the instruments and provide a greater and wholesome learning experience from week to week. Additionally, the students will have another avenue of expression to help them break from the regular routine of the academic tracks, and release that energy in a positive and productive way. Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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January 16, 2019

Keeping the Blues Alive Donates Ukuleles to Middle School Band Program

Donation Of The Week – KTBA Donates Ukuleles to Middle School Band Program Teacher Name: Ms. Courtney Vance Inman Intermediate School INMAN, SC – It is a brand new year and Keeping the Blues Alive is hitting the ground running! This week, KTBA donated a classroom set of 25 ukuleles to the music program at Inman Intermediate School! “My students are artists, thinkers, musicians, scientists, engineers, and all-around amazing students,” Ms. Vance states. Courtney teaches music at Inman Intermediate School. “They are so eager to learn new things and take that learning and apply it to everyday life. We have all embraced the responsibility of learning and know that our futures will be brighter because of it. They are special due to their unique personalities and their love of music.” Currently, there are approximately 250 students enrolled in the music classes at Inman, ranging from 4th to 6th grade. “They walk through the classroom door coming from different races, backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and learning abilities,” Courtney adds. “We are a family; we work as a team to reach our goals. A well-rounded and quality K-12 education includes music and the arts. Many studies show the effects of the arts on student’s performance in schools. By providing these ukuleles, I want to provide my students a way to excel and grow in other academic areas. These ukuleles will make a difference in my student learning by providing more opportunities for them to explore various instrument families. I want to be able to provide opportunities for my students with strings instruments. These instruments will help provide my students with a quality education and help them to widen their musical knowledge. This will help my students to be well-rounded and musical adults in the future.” Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate these instruments to Ms. Vance’s music program. Now, every child will have an opportunity to get hands-on learning time with the instruments and provide a greater and wholesome learning experience from week to week. Ms. Vance expresses her gratitude: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Thank you so much for helping me fund my project! My students and I are so excited to continue to build our musicianship through stringed instruments this year. Thank you for providing opportunities to many students who would not receive them otherwise! Thank you so much for your generosity! We are truly grateful for you! With gratitude, Ms. Vance Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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January 9, 2019

Keeping the Blues Alive Donates Violins to Elementary School

MIAMI, FL – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated four new violin outfits to the elementary music program at Norwood Elementary School! “My students are from the City of Miami Gardens, a lower socio-economic area,” Mr. Thomas Toyama writes. “They are hungry for musical experiences and love to engage in musical activities. Their enthusiastic participation in reading music, singing and playing little instruments shows that they would really do well on instruments. They are attentive, focused, on-task, and fully engaged in music class. I would really like to see them all have the opportunity to learn and experience music on the violin. They would love it!” More than three quarters of students that attend Norwood come from a lower socioeconomic area. The emotional support and the camaraderie that stems from music lessons are great ways to stimulate growth in these kids’ lives. Learning the violin in elementary school gives students opportunities to experience music in a variety of settings – from individual solo performances to group settings of string quartet, string orchestra, and full symphony orchestra. This also includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. As Mr. Toyama develops a curriculum for the students to follow, Keeping the Blues Alive is in the process of funding four new violin outfits for the students to use. “My school does not have enough violins for the whole class,” Mr. Toyama explains. If I had enough violins, students could learn violin in all my 3rd through 5th grade classes. Currently, our school only has 9 violins. Now, we are in need of about 13 violins or as many as we can acquire. Receiving this donation allows our school to buy 4 more student size violins. Our school is a Title I school and cannot spend money from its limited budget on new violins. Help our students learn music by giving them violins to participate and experience music.” Thanks to Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like YOU, Mr. Toyama and his aspiring musicians will be able to teach more students in their string classes. He expresses his gratitude: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Thank you to the donor(s) for their generous contributions of funds to purchase violins for the students in our Title I elementary school. Our students are hungry for musical exposure. They greatly appreciate your generosity, love and care. I will ensure that these violins will be taken good care of and used to benefit students this school year and years to come. Your contribution will have a lasting positive impact in providing our students a wonderful “hands on” experience. Playing violin, will help students learn note reading, intonation, melody, steady beat, rhythm, and artistry. You have given the students the gift and tool to manifest music in their young lives. That’s so precious and priceless! And they will be very surprised, pleased and happy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With gratitude, Mr. Toyama Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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January 2, 2019

Ukuleles donated to Elementary School – Keeping the Blues Alive

DOTW – Ukuleles donated to Elementary School Ms. Baker Burr in Kuna, ID Kuna, ID – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated two, 10piece Ukulele Classroom packs to the elementary music program at Reed Elementary School! The town of Kuna, ID has something to boast about! With a population of 19,000, you can barely walk to a place where someone doesn’t know your name. This week, the faculty will have something fresh to talk about as 20 new ukuleles prepare to arrive! “My students are wonderful small town kids,” Ms. Baker Burr explains. Ms. Baker is the music instructor at Reed Elementary School. “We have cultivated a love of the arts here at our school. We are also a dual language school; We teach Spanish as well as English in many different capacities.” Reed, a Title I school near Boise, is composed of a diverse population of migrant families. These families are of many different nationalities, including Iranian, Mexican, Spanish, Bosnian, and Chinese to name a few. In an effort to celebrate the vast and rich cultures of the student population, The school celebrates different cultures in music, through holidays and with a yearly school carnival! “Our elementary school is a wonderful community full of students from all over the world. Adding ukuleles to our music program would allow students from all socio-economic backgrounds to learn an instrument that is affordable, portable, and easy to learn!” she explains. These instruments would allow for solo and ensemble learning and performing opportunities. They are also fitting for our school’s differing age groups.” Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Wow…it’s Christmas in November! Thank you so much for funding our ukuleles! I am so excited to spend the time, between now and when they arrive, lesson planning to make the most of this amazing new experience for my kids. This will mean an economical music experience that is portable for all my students, but especially for my low income students to learn an instrument for life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! With gratitude, Ms. Baker Burr Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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December 20, 2018

Keeping the Blues Alive Donates Xylophones to Middle School Music Program

KTBA Donates 16 Orff xylophones to Middle School Music Program Mrs. Angela Kadow Parma Community Middle School PARMA, OH – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated sixteen (16) brand new Orff xylophones to the music program at Parma Community Middle School! Parma Community Middle is a Constellation School that teaches students of all grade levels from Kindergarten through the 12th grade. The middle school takes on the 7th and 8th graders and boast class sizes of no more than 22 students per classroom. The charter programs are designed to provide parents with greater flexibility to choose where their children learn. They often have more flexibility on what curriculum the students are exposed to, including music programs at varying grade levels. “My students at our middle school are a part of a network of charter schools called CSchools,” Angela Kadow explains. Angela teaches music at Parma Community Middle. “CSchools serve the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. My students are a diverse group, in both the 7th and 8th grades. They span many cultures and learning preferences. They appreciate hands-on learning. When my students are actively participating in music, they learn what rhythms and melodies look like, sound like and feel like.” Students that study music at that grade level receive one music lesson per week. When they arrive, their checklist is full, as there is only so much time to completely absorb themselves into the lessons and build upon the lessons from the week before. Therefore, it is imperative to have enough instruments for the classroom so that all student get an opportunity to practice and perform on an instrument during the allotted time period. This increases overall productivity of the individual student as well as the success of the classroom as a whole. Mrs. Kadow documents the weekly progress of the students, but recognizes that adding more instruments to the inventory will boost productivity and further validate the program’s overall success. “The bigger xylophones from Lyons will allow the students to have experience playing in an ensemble setting, or playing with different instruments,” Angela explains. “Playing in an ensemble teaches musicians to listen to each other and allows the students to experience first-hand what harmonies sound like. The students will play music by numerous famous composers such as Mozart. They will also compose their own music. Students will write original fables and compose musical themes to accompany each of their characters.” Thanks to the mobility of the instruments and the class sizes, students can be paired up with each other to create different ensembles and therefore encourages camaraderie and socialization among their peers. Additionally, many different ensembles will take shape for various holiday concerts and public performances. Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate these instruments to Mrs. Kadow’s music program. Now, every child will have an opportunity to get hands-on learning time with the instruments and provide a greater and wholesome learning experience from week to week. Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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December 17, 2018

Keeping the Blues Alive Weekly Donation Story!

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation Donates Euphonium to Middle School Band Program Mrs. Bolder – Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail   INDIAN TRAIL, NC – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated a brand new euphonium to students in the Union Prep Academy music program! Union Prep Academy is a tuition-free public charter school located 16 miles southeast of Charlotte, NC. The instruments requested are needed to expand the program without costing the school several thousand dollars. “They are very expensive and have to be purchased at full price,” Mrs. Bolder explains. “These instruments are not offered as rental instruments by music companies. They are too expensive for parents to purchase, unlike beginning band instruments. It is up to the school to purchase them. [However,] our school is a new charter school entering it’s third year and funding is low.” The large percussion and low wind instruments needed at Union Prep are the key to a full mature sounding symphonic band. “You see, beginning bands use only the basic 5 or 6 basic instruments; flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, and trombone (sometimes snare drum and bells)” she explains. “Most parents can afford to rent the beginning band instruments. However, intermediate and advanced bands have a more mature sound because of the large percussion and large low wind instruments that are incorporated. Composers write music for/increase the number of instruments in their songs for more advanced bands. We want to build and have an outstanding competitive band program. But, we can’t attend MPA’s (statewide adjudicated or judged performances), and other music festivals without the low instruments that would give us the full symphonic band sound. The only large percussion and low wind instruments we have right now are a bass drum, one tuba, one euphonium, and on bass clarinet. To balance the band out we need at least two of each of the low instruments (including bari-sax, and tenor sax).” Enrollment is definitely growing, however more than a third of the students come from low income households. This means that many of the instruments needed for their particular orchestration are simply not available. In spite of budget setbacks, the students are resilient and dedicated. “My students are middle school band students who love playing their instruments!” Mrs. Bolder exclaims. “When they could have chosen to take other electives, they chose band. Some of them enjoy coming to school because of band. They listen intently because they love learning to play their instruments. What I [also] love about my students is that they seem so happy all the time and are eager to learn! They come into the band room smiling in the morning when they drop off their instruments, smiling when they come to class, and smiling when they come to pick up their instruments in the afternoon so they can practice at home. I love it when they ask, ‘What’s our playing test song for this week?’ You’d think that they would hope I’d forget about the playing tests! My one bass clarinet player is so peppy and calls her instrument (owned by the school) her baby.” Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to donate a brand new euphonium to the symphonic band. Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive

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December 10, 2018

Keeping The Blues Alive Donates Classroom Set of Ukuleles and Tuners

KTBA Donates Classroom Set of Ukuleles and Tuners Mrs. Kuhn: Warren Senior High School WARREN, AR – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated a Classroom 10-unit ukulele package to students in the Warren Senior High School Music Program! “Nestled in rural South Arkansas, my middle school level general music classes are comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that meet in a standards based environment,” Mrs. Kuhn describes. “All eight of these classes are part of the STEM initiative and explore how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math can team together to create an industry full of music in varying careers ranging from education to performing, composing, engineering and beyond.” STEM to STEAM programs have been growing since 2014. Studies show that true innovation not only requires specific scientific and mathematical prowess, but also creativity. STEM to STEAM programs allows students the opportunity to combine core subject matter with the arts in an effort to stimulate innovation in different fields. These programs and projects involve using circuitry, music composition, synthesizer building, aural research and so much more! “Hands-on application of musical knowledge will allow my middle school students to perform alone, in small ensembles, as classes, and as a large ensemble with their peers,” Mrs. Kuhn adds. “They will be able to combine science, technology, math, and reading comprehension into one larger task of learning the mechanics of, and how to play and care for a ukulele.” Mrs. Kuhn also says that the school maintains a successful chorus program with approximately 85 students, without needing to require extra-curricular rehearsals for ukulele students. The flexibility and freedom of following a ukulele curriculum helps to keep students engaged in and out of the classroom without having to staff after-school programs or additional elective courses. Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive was able to donate ten (10) ukuleles and an equal amount of tuners for the new instruments. The instruments should arrive at the school over the upcoming week – in perfect timing to prepare for holiday repertoire and the giving season! Mrs. Kuhn expresses her gratitude: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., We are so grateful for your generous donations that will allow my classroom to be able to learn to play an instrument without the stress of an after school program or rigor required for a performance-based class. Thank you so much for helping me connect music to math and science kinesthetically! With gratitude, Mrs. Kuhn   Every week, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more! Your donation helps us to keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. If you would like to help us fund next week’s project, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools! Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive  

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December 5, 2018

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Our mission is to conserve the art of music in schools by funding projects, scholarships, and grants that preserve music education for the next generation. Every week, we donate to a school in need of instruments, sheet music, supplies and more in the effort to uphold the rich culture and history of the Blues as a true American art form.

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