“We have tried opera, ballet, musical theater, etc. This may be the strongest program from every perspective that we have ever sponsored.”
- Dr. Alfred Green / Director of Fine Arts Irving ISD
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“Blue Shoe Blues” Elementary Program
The Program - The best place to begin this education is at the elementary school level. Our program utilizes several recognized blues educators to keep the program’s content fresh and exciting for students participating in the program. Each performer covers basic blues content and has their own unique style and delivery.
The Elementary level program is a one hour performance/concert that is done for the entire school or specific grade levels in an assembly format. The grade levels and groups of students are completely up to each school. The program introduces the students to the roots of American folk/blues music, and its influence on contemporary popular music and culture. Students are taken on a historical journey beginning with the African “griots” who were tribal storytellers, to gospel, field hollers, to the emergence of blues, jazz and its influence on Rock-n-Roll and even hip hop. This program will provide students at the elementary level a life-long learning experience with a measurable outcome.
What the Texas Music Educator’s Association says:
The Historical/Cultural Heritage strand of the Music TEKS echoes the value of introducing students to the blues as part of the student’s musical heritage. For example, the following Grade 8 TEK could be achieved in part through instruction on blues history and musical structure: (A) classify aurally-presented music representative of diverse genres, styles, periods, and cultures; (B) describe music-related vocations and avocations; (C) perform music representative of diverse cultures, including American and Texas heritage; and (D) identify the relationships between the content,
the concepts, and the processes of the other fine arts, other subjects, and those of music. For more guidance on developing instructional sequences to teach the Music TEKS, go to www.tmea.org/smlinks/musicteks.
Texas Role in Blues History - In the height of the Blues movement from the late 20’s through the 50’s, Texas played a major role in the development of blues, spawning such legendary artists as Blind Lemon Jefferson, William Huddie “Leadbelly” Leadbetter, T-Bone Walker, Victoria Spivey, Sippie Wallace, Lightning Hopkins, Freddie King and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan to name but a few. Each played in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth Area from Jacksboro Highway to Deep Ellum. Each performer can bring these now historic figures into the present for students to appreciate.
Our History - The Blue Shoe Project has presented over 100 programs since our inception. We have reached tens of thousands of students of all ages from elementary school to higher education. We have received numerous accolades from the community, the press and those that have experienced our programs. For more information on The Blue Shoe Project, go to www.blueshoeproject.org.
For more information about how to bring this program to your school, please submit a program information inquiry form and we will be happy to respond quickly to your request.
