Press Release DRAFT (to be sent out January 5th)
Powell Elementary Brings Blues in the Schools into the Classroom
Blue-in-the-schools Pilot Program to North Carolina
Social Studies, Language Arts, Music, Dance and Visual Arts subjects are all integrated in the study of the Blues! Powell Elementary School will pilot Blues in the Schools, in the Wake County Public Schools. The Blues, an American Art form often overlooked but powerful when studied as a bridge to understanding the culture and social factors that influenced the way communities were shaped in our region of the country. The Piedmont Blues, a type of blues music with its own structure is based in North Carolina.
We are using Blues in the Schools in conjunction with our 1 Book 1 School program, to integrate the blues musical genre’ through history, art, writing, music and dance. Powell has invited a famous Artist in Residence, Mr. Roger “Hurricane” Wilson and a professional musician and Powell parent, Ira Planer, to work directly with teachers and students during a week-long residency, starting January 27th.
Powell Elementary school utilizes the One Book, One School program, which introduces a single book to the entire school (see; powelles.wcpss.net). This year at Powell, all students (K-5) will read and discuss the children’s story, Yesterday I Had the Blues, by, Jeron Frame. Every Powell family will receive a paper back copy of the book.
The Blues in the Schools residency will culminate in two school performances; the first a more intimate musical performance is scheduled for Friday January 30th, with “Hurricane” and student groups. A second performance, a formal whole-school production will feature the 1 Book story, Yesterday I Had the Blues, intertwined with the music, artwork, dance and history developed during the residency, and is scheduled on Thursday March 19th at 7:00 PM and Friday afternoon March 20th at 2:15 .
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Contacts:
E- MAIL addresses
Ira Planer- Iplaner@nc.rr.com
Roger Wilson- Roger@hurricanewilson.com
WEB SITES
http://www.blues.org/bits/index.php4
http://www.blues-in-the-schools.org
http://www.hurricanewilson.com
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