Students at
J. Allen Axson Montessori Academy, and Kernan and Landon middle schools had an exciting and interactive time learning about blues music when local band Willie Mae visited their school with special guest Mary Hurt Wright, the granddaughter of legendary blues singer and guitarist Mississippi John Hurt. The visit was part of Blues in the Schools, sponsored by George's Music.
Tamara Grigsby, the lead vocalist for
Willie Mae and also a teacher at Kernan Middle School, spoke to students about the history and meaning of blues music.
Before the visit, Grisgby challenged students to learn about and make their own griots,
which are "keepers of history." Grisgby wrote the curriculum to accompany the Blues in Schools program, and designed the griot activity as a way to activate the students' "background knowledge" of blues music during the performance.
The Axson students excelled at their task, creating many interesting and unique griots from recyclable materials. During the program, students shared their griots with the band and their classmates.
One student said his griot had huge ears to be a good listener and a big head to remember all the history. According to another student, her griot had wings so he could fly to gather stories and memories to bring to his people.
As the students listed to the songs performed by Willie Mae, Grigsby asked the students to think about the theme of the song and explain the emotions they felt when hearing the music.
Students also had the opportunity to listen to stories from Mary Hurt Wright, who was visiting from Chicago. Hurt Wright talked about her grandfather, John Hurt, and explained what blues music means to her and her family.
Principal Paula Renfro called the Blues in the Schools program
"a great experience for the students, and a wonderful opportunity for them to
learn about the musical genre of blues."
Blues in the Schools also visited Kernan and Landon middle schools. The program is in conjunction with the upcoming George's Music Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach, April 9-11.
Students also have the opportunity to write poetry and music for the George's Music Poetry/Lyric Contest. Entries are due by March 29, and the winner will receive a guitar autographed by all the performers at the blues festival. For more information and to enter the competition, visit
www.georgesmusic.com/bits.
More pictures from Blues in the Schools are available on the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
Winner Update
Congratulations to Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School student Amelia Ayers. Amelia won the contest and was recognized at the Jacksonville Beach festival for her lyric writing. She was awarded a guitar autographed by the festival performers, as well as free guitar lessons. The PTSA and all of the family at Julia Landon are so proud of Amelia for her accomplishment!
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