columbus, ga – Thanks to your donations this week, Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation was able to go into a middle school and help fund their music project for a new flute in their woodwind section! As we are all aware, playing a band instrument can open doors for many students, especially in rough areas. They are given an opportunity to perform for their peers, go on trips and excursions/contests, and show their pride to their family and friends. Mr. Claiborne explains: “This flute is a student-model flute that is perfect for the beginner or intermediate student. The flute will allow a student to learn how to use it in class, give performances, and practice everyday. Playing a flute will allow the student to learn to develop work ethic and discipline to practice a skill set.” Mr. Claiborne takes the time to teach the students how to take care of their instruments and how to prevent damage. “Additionally, I help them understand that pride comes after hard work and teamwork. I love to see the expressions on their faces after they have mastered their first few notes. The more instruments our school owns and loans to our students, the more students can participate in musical experiences.” Thanks to the donations form Joe Bonamassa fans, Keeping The Blues Alive successfully funded the project in a timely manner! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, I can’t fully express my joy, excitement, and thanks for your donation to my project. It is great to see that you share my vision for reaching children. In band, we use instruments to bring the notes off the page to life and to turn them into music.The flute that you have funded will enable a student to create and perform their own music, which will associate with the classroom lessons. In addition, it will add a needed variety to ensemble. I often tell my students everyone can’t play the trumpet or the drums. The flute will give them a worthy challenge!I hope to share with my students a broader spectrum of instrumentation. Thank you so much!With gratitude, Mr. Claiborne   This is just a small example of the kindness we have received from fans all over the world!   To help us fund next week’s project, click here!

KTBA Ignites First – Year Band Program atlanta, ga – In any subject area, it is always important to learn fundamentals. One of the first things students learn in school is the alphabet. Without this solid foundation, students will begin to struggle to read and write.  We all learn basic material so that we can build on it, and learn the exceptions (there are always exceptions…) and as a result of diligence and persistence, you begin to master the material. The ABC’s of music are so important to the development and success of each student as they begin their musical journey. Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy is a single – gender comprehensive four-year public high school enrolling approximately 300 students in grades ninth through twelfth.  The school opened in the fall of 2007 and had its first graduating senior class in the spring of 2014. This is the first year for full time band program at the school. The students are very excited to become a part of history by helping to construct an exemplary all female band program in the region. The materials requested will help each of Mr. Burton’s students develop the correct musical reading fundamentals for instrumental band. If the students have developed the correct fundamentals the students will be able to become successful in the band program. The band method books will help each student prepare for college band scholarship audition by the end of the school year. Mr. Buton adds, “This project will help each student in the band program prepare for college band scholarships auditions in the spring. The band scholarships will help all of my students who may not be able to afford to attend a college or university.” Thanks to your donations this week, Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation was able to fund Mr. Burton’s Music Fundamentals projects by fronting the cost of a complete orchestral set of method books for the inaugural concert season! Now, the students will have the materials they need ensure the future success of their band program, and learning a new artform which they have never experienced before.  This is great news for Mr. Burton and his classroom because these unique schools don’t have strong budgets for new ventures.  However, thanks to the donations, the school will not have to fund the curriculum – the one thing that will allow these young women to be well-rounded students in the work field. Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, On behalf of myself and the students, we want to thank you with all of our heart for your generous donation. Our young ladies are looking forward to the putting the donated material to use. This donation will help the young ladies prepare for their college band scholarship auditions and give them a fighting chance at becoming productive citizens. “The most powerful thing they can be is educated.”The students will be putting your donation right to work as they prepare for some very important performances that will shape their musicianship . We can not thank you enough for what you have done for us.With gratitude, Mr. Burton

KTBA Goes 2-0 in Donations This Week atlanta, ga – Thanks to your donations this week, two schools were able to receive supplies and music for their music programs! Mrs. Brooks, the music teacher at Charles R Drew Charter School in Atlanta, GA, sought to expose her students to the art of jazz.  Following jazz month would be tough however, without the appropriate charts to read! Alfred Publishing, one of the country’s most trusted and leading music publishers, offers a variety of learning tools and supplements for music programs!  A family owned and operated publisher, Alfred has been producing charts since the 1920’s when songwriting and publishing was booming throughout New York City. The students of Charles Drew are extremely excited and eager to approach the genre with dedication and determination.  Brooks explains her intentions of the program: Next year, I am looking forward to expanding our band program to include a jazz ensemble, increasing the need for jazz repertoire. Jazz band members have been selected, performances have been scheduled but, unfortunately, our current music library does not contain any music for our newly formed ensemble to perform. Students will be able to use the jazz band music both at home and in rehearsal. In addition to preparing the music for performances, students will be expected to complete jazz theory assignments at home so that rehearsals can focus on the application of their theory knowledge in an ensemble. This project will allow me to expose my students to a new culture of music that is rich in history. Jazz encompasses everything from late 19th century ragtime to modern fusion, giving my students the opportunity to learn, practice and study a variety of styles.  Thanks to the support of our donors, Mrs. Brooks will receive the sheet music she needs to start a jazz ensemble! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, WOW!!! My kids and I are astounded by the overwhelming amount of support we have received for this project. It is a wonderful feeling to know that there are so many people who are willing to advocate for young musicians.As a music educator, of course I am a huge advocate for music in our schools as well. Now, thanks to your generous support, this project will allow me to continue to instill knowledge and an appreciation, not only for music, but for history and culture. Your gratitude is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. With gratitude, Mrs. Brooks new york city, ny – With the leftover donations, we contributed to another fundraiser, but this time, we took to a studio school in New York City that was once displaced by Hurricane Sandy! Mr. Heimbauer explains: “My students live in a high poverty section of Rockaway, NY that was completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Our school was flooded and we were displaced for a month. The community is still getting back on its feet after losing dozens of homes and businesses to fire, and countless others to flood damage. Students also lost the boardwalk and beachside parks that they once would play at.” “My diverse group of kids have jumped at the opportunity to express themselves through music! We have since written original songs about what happened and songwriting has become a focus in my program as a result. We have performed these songs at re-opening ceremonies and concerts hosted by other schools!  The young children in my program are creative, talented, they have learned to work well with others, and they are eager to learn new things. They truly look forward to coming into my classroom to explore musical possibilities, and you can see their enthusiasm in our performance videos at youtube.com/user/watersidestudiomusic.” With the remaining donation money, Mr. Heimbauer received two (2) combo amps a guitar strap and new strings! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, We did it! Your generous spirits are directly responsible for bringing our music program to the NEXT LEVEL!Our kids will now be able to rock out like professionals, having two amplifiers that can bring the volume to a real performance, and the locking strap will make sure no accidents happen with our cherished instruments! They are going to be so excited and I cannot wait to begin putting together our thank you package! Your kindness is inspiring to myself and the children of my school community. You are setting such a great example for fostering the quality of generosity and compassion, in the hearts of my students. With gratitude, Mr. Heimbauer To make a donation to our next music project click here!  Thank you for your support of music education!

KTBA Goes 2-0 in Donations This Week atlanta, ga – Thanks to your donations this week, two schools were able to receive supplies and music for their music programs! Mrs. Brooks, the music teacher at Charles R Drew Charter School in Atlanta, GA, sought to expose her students to the art of jazz.  Following jazz month would be tough however, without the appropriate charts to read! Alfred Publishing, one of the country’s most trusted and leading music publishers, offers a variety of learning tools and supplements for music programs!  A family owned and operated publisher, Alfred has been producing charts since the 1920’s when songwriting and publishing was booming throughout New York City. The students of Charles Drew are extremely excited and eager to approach the genre with dedication and determination.  Brooks explains her intentions of the program: Next year, I am looking forward to expanding our band program to include a jazz ensemble, increasing the need for jazz repertoire. Jazz band members have been selected, performances have been scheduled but, unfortunately, our current music library does not contain any music for our newly formed ensemble to perform. Students will be able to use the jazz band music both at home and in rehearsal. In addition to preparing the music for performances, students will be expected to complete jazz theory assignments at home so that rehearsals can focus on the application of their theory knowledge in an ensemble. This project will allow me to expose my students to a new culture of music that is rich in history. Jazz encompasses everything from late 19th century ragtime to modern fusion, giving my students the opportunity to learn, practice and study a variety of styles.  Thanks to the support of our donors, Mrs. Brooks will receive the sheet music she needs to start a jazz ensemble! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, WOW!!! My kids and I are astounded by the overwhelming amount of support we have received for this project. It is a wonderful feeling to know that there are so many people who are willing to advocate for young musicians.As a music educator, of course I am a huge advocate for music in our schools as well. Now, thanks to your generous support, this project will allow me to continue to instill knowledge and an appreciation, not only for music, but for history and culture. Your gratitude is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.With gratitude, Mrs. Brooks new york city, ny – With the leftover donations, we contributed to another fundraiser, but this time, we took to a studio school in New York City that was once displaced by Hurricane Sandy! Mr. Heimbauer explains: “My students live in a high poverty section of Rockaway, NY that was completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Our school was flooded and we were displaced for a month. The community is still getting back on its feet after losing dozens of homes and businesses to fire, and countless others to flood damage. Students also lost the boardwalk and beachside parks that they once would play at.” “My diverse group of kids have jumped at the opportunity to express themselves through music! We have since written original songs about what happened and songwriting has become a focus in my program as a result. We have performed these songs at re-opening ceremonies and concerts hosted by other schools!  The young children in my program are creative, talented, they have learned to work well with others, and they are eager to learn new things. They truly look forward to coming into my classroom to explore musical possibilities, and you can see their enthusiasm in our performance videos at youtube.com/user/watersidestudiomusic.” With the remaining donation money, Mr. Heimbauer received two (2) combo amps a guitar strap and new strings! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, We did it! Your generous spirits are directly responsible for bringing our music program to the NEXT LEVEL!Our kids will now be able to rock out like professionals, having two amplifiers that can bring the volume to a real performance, and the locking strap will make sure no accidents happen with our cherished instruments!They are going to be so excited and I cannot wait to begin putting together our thank you package!Your kindness is inspiring to myself and the children of my school community. You are setting such a great example for fostering the quality of generosity and compassion, in the hearts of my students. With gratitude, Mr. Heimbauer To make a donation to our next music project click here!  Thank you for your support of music education!

Thomson, GA – Just two hours east of Atlanta, GA in McDuffie County is Thomson High School – over 1,200 students making up the largest and only high school in the McDuffie County School District.  Despite the school’s innate mission which is “to learn, to teach and to serve”, budget cuts have rendered the music program helpless as they prepare for spring concerts, summer band camps and most importantly, the next semester of classes. As a result of the high demand for Ms. Hill’s music courses at Thomson High School, the band program makes up more than one quarter of the student population. Much like drum heads or drum sticks, and other materials that are only good for a number of consecutive uses, reeds can prove to be a costly expense when you’re running a band program this big.  Most public schools are not permitted to charge students for “excess” materials however, reeds and sticks etc are not “excess” materials.  You cannot play the instrument at all! As funding got tight for Ms. Hill, she reached out to get some help so that her students can continue practicing their instruments not just at school during class hours, but also before and after school, at home, and especially at special events. Thanks to your donations, Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation was able to purchase reeds, cleaning swabs, and ligatures for the band program, which was thrilling for Ms. Hill and her students! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Our band program is the largest student organization in the school system. In our program we have many different types of ensembles; one of our most popular ensembles is the jazz band. Our jazz band performs all over the community and at the other schools in the county for various events. These events range from Relay for Life, school pep rallies, and major community events and luncheons. The students in jazz band love performing and playing their instruments. They are among the best and brightest in our school and as their teachers we could not be more proud of their success.Because of the additional practicing and performing and the demographics of our school the students and their families struggle to provide all of the materials necessary to succeed in their classes. As a Title I school we are not given federal funding for fine arts.With your donation we will be able to give these materials to our jazz band and regular band students to use in class and for performances. We are truly grateful and blessed to have this donation for our students.Thank you so much for this donation and for helping our students. Your contribution will help them in so many ways and we can’t express our gratitude for your generosity.With gratitude, Ms. Hill We appreciate everyone who made a donation and hope that others decide to chip in for next week’s project!  They are coming in more and more frequently, and we hope to be able to help them all in some way! Thank you for your continued support of our mission to keep music education in schools!  We couldn’t do this without you! To make a donation to the next project, click here! To purchase tickets for our benefit concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre on August 31, 2014, click here! $5 from each ticket is donated to Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation! To learn about Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea (Miami | Key West | Bahamas) click here!  

KTBA Donates Reeds to High School Woodwinds thomson, ga – Just two hours east of Atlanta, GA in McDuffie County is Thomson High School – over 1,200 students making up the largest and only high school in the McDuffie County School District.  Despite the school’s innate mission which is “to learn, to teach and to serve”, budget cuts have rendered the music program helpless as they prepare for spring concerts, summer band camps and most importantly, the next semester of classes. As a result of the high demand for Ms. Hill’s music courses at Thomson High School, the band program makes up more than one quarter of the student population. Much like drum heads or drum sticks, and other materials that are only good for a number of consecutive uses, reeds can prove to be a costly expense when you’re running a band program this big.  Most public schools are not permitted to charge students for “excess” materials however, reeds and sticks etc are not “excess” materials.  You cannot play the instrument at all! As funding got tight for Ms. Hill, she reached out to get some help so that her students can continue practicing their instruments not just at school during class hours, but also before and after school, at home, and especially at special events. Thanks to your donations, Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation was able to purchase reeds, cleaning swabs, and ligatures for the band program, which was thrilling for Ms. Hill and her students! Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Our band program is the largest student organization in the school system. In our program we have many different types of ensembles; one of our most popular ensembles is the jazz band. Our jazz band performs all over the community and at the other schools in the county for various events. These events range from Relay for Life, school pep rallies, and major community events and luncheons. The students in jazz band love performing and playing their instruments. They are among the best and brightest in our school and as their teachers we could not be more proud of their success.Because of the additional practicing and performing and the demographics of our school the students and their families struggle to provide all of the materials necessary to succeed in their classes. As a Title I school we are not given federal funding for fine arts.With your donation we will be able to give these materials to our jazz band and regular band students to use in class and for performances. We are truly grateful and blessed to have this donation for our students. Thank you so much for this donation and for helping our students. Your contribution will help them in so many ways and we can’t express our gratitude for your generosity. With gratitude, Ms. Hill We appreciate everyone who made a donation and hope that others decide to chip in for next week’s project!  They are coming in more and more frequently, and we hope to be able to help them all in some way! Thank you for your continued support of our mission to keep music education in schools!  We couldn’t do this without you! To make a donation to the next project, click here! To purchase tickets for our benefit concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre on August 31, 2014, click here! $5 from each ticket is donated to Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation! To learn about Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea (Miami | Key West | Bahamas) click here!