Bluegrass Education Outreach Committee and Programrecent performance photosThe Bluegrass Education Outreach Program was formed in December, 2001, by a group of volunteers interested in bringing bluegrass music into local schools. The primary focus of the program is to develop and implement education about bluegrass music and it's history for use in schools and other educational venues. The Programs's committee is comprised of local teachers, musicians, local businesses, CBMS members and community volunteers. All About Us...The Bluegrass Educational Outreach Program was created to bring bluegrass music and it's history into area schools, public libraries and other educational venues. Our goal is to promote and preserve this American art form and pass it on to the younger audiences through education and performance. Our typical school performances are 45-50 minutes in length with traditional bluegrass songs featuring a five-piece band playing traditional bluegrass instruments. Performances include a brief talk about the history of bluegrass music, it's origin and interesting people who created the music. Each band member describes the instrument they are playing and it's purpose in a bluegrass ensemble. The performance concludes with plenty of audience participation and a "sing-along." Morning or afternoon performances are available. The Lending Library...Our Lending Library is a valuable resource that includes Bluegrass CD's, books, videos, sheet music, instruments and more. Teachers and students are encouraged to utilize this resource. To inquire about accessing the Lending Library, contact the Music Instruction...The Bluegrass Education Outreach Program has partnered with area music stores and music teachers to create low-cost instrument and vocal instruction. We offer a free first lesson, which includes a 30-minute session. Instruction classes include fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. For more information about individual and group lessons, contact the Performance Fees...Performance fees are based on your school's ability to contribute to the cost. The average public school performance starts at $300 depending on duration and number of performances scheduled on the same day. Grants and Donations...Grants and "in-kind" donations are available from a variety of funding sources such as Flatirons Crossing Music and Arts Foundation, Arts & Humanities of Boulder, Colorado Council on the Arts, Swallow Hill Music Association, Colorado Bluegrass Music Society (CBMS) and The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Check the Colorado Grants Guide available at the Colorado Resource Center for additional funding sources. Mission Statement:To promote and preserve bluegrass music and history through performance and education in schools and other educational venues.Immediate Goals and Objectives:
Future Goals:
2002 Year In Review:Thanks to your efforts we made some very good progress this year. We produced a successful benefit concert and raised $1500. We recruited a list of 24 local musicians interested in participating in 2003 school performances. We developed a scripted performance and created a lending library complete with CD's, donated instruments, videos and instruction materials. We also have a list of teachers willing to offer a " First Lesson Free" to students. Lastly, we created partnerships with area music stores who will co-sponsor upcoming BEOP events and provide discounted lessons to students and discounts on merchandise to students refered to them by BEOP. Not a bad start for our first year. Let's keep the momentum going! Thank everyone!We couldn't have gotten this far without all of you contributing. By the way, we need more female participants for both the committee and musicians for the 2003 school performances. We could use a few more fiddle and bass players too. Interested? Contact the
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