Blues Music Workshops in Schools
The festival charitable trust allocated £6,500 to the UBF educational programme in 2024. This funded two separate teams of musicians to visit schools across the Midlands, teaching blues as an access to popular music, music history and technique on various instruments.
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The workshops were a huge success and offered a platform for young students to express themselves and to learn the importance and relevance of Blues music.
2024 was another successful year of promoting Blues music and offering free music education to schools.
These workshops are loved by students and teachers as it offers a different experience and a chance to work with professionals in the industry. The opportunity to perform on stage both in school and at the festival is a great experience and will hopefully be a lasting memory for the children. The only disappointment was that most schools had either broken up or it was their last day when the festival was held, so only one school was able to perform at the festival.
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In addition to the free educational workshops provided, more instruments have been donated to local schools and individuals, including many guitars and an alto saxophone.
Members of the team performing at Holy Redeemer School. Led by Jay Riley (brass/woodwind/piano and theory instructor). Guitar
specialist Jason Page. Vocal specialist Valerie Vet. Percussion specialist Joelle Barker. They were also backed by brass specialist Peter Johnson.
ALCESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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The team spent a day working with 26 children from years 9-11, first explaining the history of blues, then running various workshop games to develop the children’s musical skills to build technique, musical awareness and understanding of form, before creating three unique Blues pieces. The children really enjoyed the freedom of creating and using the workshop team as fellow musicians.
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Feedback from the school was very positive:
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“The team were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about blues music, making every session engaging and fun. Students explored the blues scales, improvisation, and even got to jam together as a group. The hands-on approach really helped improve their skills, and the atmosphere was welcoming for musicians of all levels. Students left feeling inspired and excited to continue exploring blues music. Highly recommend this workshop for anyone looking to deepen their understanding and love for the blues!”
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Richard Chapman-Palmer - Head of Music, AGS
HOLY REDEEMER SCHOOL, PERSHORE​
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The team spent a day working with the children in a teaching capacity but also demonstrated some blues improvisation as well as joining the band to create a student/teacher ensemble. The children really enjoyed this as it replicated a professional set up and they had freedom to make choices. The children performed the blues pieces to the whole school, teachers and parents at the end of the school day. Photos and video were taken and posted on the schools website.
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https://www.holyredeemerschoolpershore.org/72082-2/
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“…just wanted to write to say a huge thank you to you, Jason and Val for such an amazing workshop on Tuesday. It was the first introduction a lot of our pupils will have had to the Blues. The approachable and inspiring manner in which the workshop and assembly were run, engaged all of those who took part and provided a great education and performance opportunity. Thank you also for the donation of the Alto saxophone which allow enthusiastic pupils to learn. We would love to have you back next year if the project is run again!”
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Peter Johnson, VMT, Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School
UPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL​
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The team initially taught songs to the children and then returned the following week to work with the children to create multiple blues songs and explain the importance of Blues music in contemporary culture. The workshops led to two performances, one at the school and one on the “Under-the-Bridge” stage on the Friday to open the festival. This was very well attended and the kids had a great experience of performing to a large audience working with a professional band and a proper stage with lights and sound system.
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VALE OF EVESHAM SCHOOL​
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The second team, comprising one musician/educator, Jono Wright, visited the Vale of Evesham School to write and record blues songs with the students. Jono initially spent a day working with students of the school writing blues songs. He then returned a few weeks later to perform the music and celebrate the work achieved.
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“We had an amazing session from Jono, who worked so well with our SEND students and performed with them too for our summer celebration. If there are any workshops available, we would love to be considered for next year. Many thanks”
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Ruth Barton, Vale of Evesham School