FLUSHING, NY – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated a set of eight (8) guitars, guitar picks, and two (2) vocal microphones to support the music club at Flushing International High School! “All of our students are recent immigrants from over 20 countries who have been in the country for less than 4 years,” Mr. Maikels explains. “My students are some of the hardest working, bravest, and most resilient people that I know. In addition to dealing with the regular stress of being teenagers, my students have to adapt to a new culture, environment, and learn English all within four to five years to graduate.” Nearly all students at Flushing International High School come from low-income households. “For many, college is their goal toward their dream careers,” he explains. “But for others, graduating high school is a valid challenge and concern. Many of our students have low literacy, deep social-emotional challenges, financial obligations to their family, etc. Nevertheless, despite the inherent cultural, socio-economic, and political obstacles, our students defy the odds year after year. Our students come in angry, lost, scared, confused, and alone, but leave determined, confident, and poised to succeed. We are always striving to increase those numbers through love, high expectations, equity, and community.” Music and extra-curricualr activities are strongly needed within the school community.  These programs provide a a safe and comfortable environment for students to express themselves musically on a regular basis. “Since we currently do not have a music program in our school, my colleague and I decided to create an after-school music club as a space for students to practice, learn and develop their musical talents. We have received an overwhelming amount of interest from the students, but we do not have the musical equipment needed to support their thirst for music. Our goal is to have students perform during school-wide events such as our holiday feasts, talent show and valentines day dance. Another goal is for students to perform outside of the school at places like the nearby senior citizens center and more,” Mr. Maikels explains. They plan to use their club time (Tuesdays and Thursdays after-school) for students to practice using the guitars and microphones. “Since most of our students cannot afford to buy their own instruments and equipment, we are also considering allowing dedicated members to borrow a guitar to practice at home by signing a contract where they agree to be responsible for the equipment at all times under their possession.” Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, KTBA has successfully funded Mr. Maikels’ project!  Flushing International should receive the new instruments and materials within a few weeks – just in time for the holiday season. Mr. Maikels expresses his gratitude: Thank you so much for your generosity! We are so thrilled about your donations and words can not express how excited our students will be once we share the news with them. They are such hardworking students who share such a strong drive for music and your donation will make that experience come true for them. Thank you again and I can’t wait to share pictures with you once we receive the equipment!! With gratitude, Mr. Maikels Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is a 501c3 organization that makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more every week! Your donations help us keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. Without your support, we would not be able to reach as many students around the country. We are grateful for your generosity! As a result, KTBA has reached over 66,000 students across America by sponsoring over 400 various music projects ranging from purchasing new instruments, field trips, guest clinicians, purchasing supplies, and updating music libraries. If you would like to help us to continue to make an impact on music education in America, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible. Thank you for supporting music education for the next generation!

GREECE, NY – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive purchased twenty (20) brand new ukuleles for the music program at Rochester Academy Charter School! “Our school does not have many instruments for students to explore and create with,” Ms. Fisher explains. “Ukuleles will allow students to learn a string instrument, create songs, play in an ensemble and explore their musical interests. My students are natural musicians and amaze me every day. They really love music and have shown great growth this year. Before this year, many students did not know how to read music and did not have any knowledge of musical concepts such as dynamics, harmony, and pulse. They want to learn about composers, music genres and instruments.” According to Ms. Fisher, many of her young musicians come into the classroom feeling alone and isolated. However, after participating in the various musical activities, they leave with a sense of belonging and a feeling of family. “My students come from all different walks of life and living situations,” she adds.  “I strive to create an environment in my classroom that allows everyone to feel like they belong and have a voice. Students often love creating music because they are able to express themselves. As she planned for the new school year 2019-2020, she was looking at the music instrument selection at school to take an appropriate inventory.  Her students loved to come to music class to create and learn. Her classroom served as a safe haven for many students. Unfortunately, they were not able to play anything other than drums.  “Ukuleles will enable my students to explore their musicality in a new deeper way. Ukuleles use the treble clef which would allow students to use that knowledge of music notation. These instruments will allow the information and music styles to come alive for students.” Thanks to Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation was able to fund Ms. Fisher’s ukulele project! 20 ukuleles will be delivered to the school in time for summer preparations! We look forward to catching up with Ms. Fisher once the kids get back into the weekly schedules! Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is a 501c3 organization that makes a donation to a school in need of music instruments, supplies, sheet music, and more every week! Your donation helps us keep music in schools, while preserving blues heritage. Without your support, we would not be able to reach as many students around the country. We are grateful for your generosity.  To date, KTBA has reached over 63,000 students by sponsoring over 400 various music projects! The journey has been incredible! If you would like to help us to continue to grow, click here to make a donation! All donations are fully tax-deductible! Thank you for keeping music education in schools!

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

KTBA DONATES TWO SUZUKI XYLOPHONES TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL South Otselic, NY – Thanks to your donations, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation donated two (2) Rosewood Suzuki Xylophones at Otselic Valley Central School! Otselic is a small town in Central New York boasting just over 1,000 residents. Named after the Otselic River that passes through it, the town is known for its farms and its history of settlers from the 19th Century. “Our school is located in rural Central New York,” Mr. Scott states as he describes the area. “It is a beautiful and secluded countryside full of farms, hills, and colors. To give you an idea of our size, we graduate around 23 students a year.” Be that as it may, the school maintains a successful chorus program with approximately 85 students. “All students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade received an hour of general music instruction every week. [The students] love to learn through playing and experiencing music and [they] love a good challenge! With new materials in the classroom, we could provide a new dimension to our music education, full of new and varied challenges. I try to have my students do four things in every music lesson: sing, play an instrument, move to music, and read music. These instruments will be a valuable tool towards reaching these goals.” Students in the percussion session must be skilled multi-taskers! Not only are they playing their instruments with the ensemble, they’re also responsible for keeping time for the orchestra, following the conductor, and efficiently flowing through the percussion section with grace. “These instruments will be the first step towards a Percussion Ensemble. If I can create an ensemble and have my students perform in the community, I can help them create experiences that they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives,” he adds. Thanks to the generosity of Joe Bonamassa fans and music lovers like you, Keeping the Blues Alive was able to donate two Suzuki xylophones to the music program. Mr. Scott expresses his gratitude: Dear Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, Inc., Thank you so much for funding this project! My students (and I) are ecstatic! Now we will be able to create amazing music and memories that will last our entire lives. Thanks a lot! Education is an investment that takes an entire generation to bear fruit. This makes it hard for some people to prioritize it. Thank you for your faith in education and in our future. With gratitude, Mr. Scott 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! P.S. Stay on the look-out for upcoming pledge opportunities for Giving Tuesday (Nov. 27th), the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday is the BIGGEST nonprofit fundraiser of the year and we would love to have your pledge   Shawn Hagood for Keeping the Blues Alive Help us with our mission of Keeping the Blues Alive in schools! To learn more or donate to Keeping The Blues Alive, visit our website at https://keepingthebluesalive.org/

Staten Island, NY is one of the boroughs of the Big Apple – known for it’s history in film, literature, music, and art!  However, one of the longest plaguing concerns for New York City public schools is the same ailment of schools all over the country.  That would be standardized testing – and unfortunately for students in Richmond County, a significant portion of the re-designed testing material has not reached the classroom curriculum! As students all over the country deal with the anxiety of standardized testing, they turn to other outlets for self expression.  Some turn to their friends, others turn to recreational activities (scholastic or domestic), and for this unique group of students at P.S. 29, they turn to music.  When Keeping The Blues Alive found out about the music program and their “Pay It Forward” project, we knew we could allocate some funding to help them reach their goal. Mr. Stephens, the school’s music teacher explains, “This project is important because it is something that will give to our school community for the next 20 years. Children will always remember their elementary school years of being in the band and playing concerts. These instruments are vital in having children write the scripts to their lives. Experiences help inspire. Knowing that someone cared outside of our school community will inspire these children. Our motto is “Pay it Forward”. This is an opportunity for them to see it from a different perspective. Someone will have paid it forward to them.” On April 23rd, your donations helped fund P.S. 29 in Staten Island, NY to purchase 3 new flutes for the beginning band program.  The flutes will be school instruments used in various scholastic functions including concerts, lessons, graduation ceremonies and other approved functions. “I would like to thank all of you on behalf of the students and the school community. The generosity that has been displayed here is heart warming. Our students will be excited to experience these new instruments. Thanks to all of you these instruments will give our band years of enjoyment. Our band will be able to expand. Our school will be able to offer more students the opportunity to play in the band. Some students will follow band into middle school, high school and even college. It starts now in elementary school. Students need options and opportunity. With this donation students have more options which will create more opportunity. Your generosity instantly impacts our community. The children will be using these instruments as soon as they arrive. You have given a gift that will keep giving for years to come.” – Mr. Stephens If you missed out on the opportunity to give a small donation to the foundation, please follow this link and help us change the lives of more students all over the country!