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One of the Most Active Blues Education Programs of Any Blues Society in the Country
Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) has one of the most active Blues Education programs of any Blues society in the United States. Each year, MVBS plans and coordinates four to nine weeks of Blues in the Schools (BITS).
A typical week-long residency includes 10-12 performances and workshops in schools, libraries, and/or community centers in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Each artist also provides an open-to-the-public presentation for all ages. All performances are free and expose a wide array of our community to the rich history, heritage, and sounds of Blues music.
Are you a teacher or educator looking for our teacher resources? Please contact us to get free access to our professionally produced blues education material!
Photo by Peggy Brisbane
Photo by The Free Lance-Star
Photo by Joel Beeson
Photo by Bengt Nyman
Photo by Robbie Mendelson
Photo by Gary Collver
Photo by Alain Hiot
Some of the artist residencies who have participated in 10-12 performances and workshops in schools include:
David "Honeyboy" Edwards, John Jackson, Billy Branch, Henry Butler, Willie King and the Alabama Blues Project, Hawkeye Herman, Rev. Robert Jones, Rich DelGrosso, Fruteland Jackson, Dave Berntson, Tas Cru, Kevin Burt, and Bruce Katz.
Stats
Some highlights from our decades of fostering greater public appreciation through education.
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Learning Resources
Educators
- Michael Hawkeye Herman
- Blues Classroom
- 41 Free REsources for Teaching the 12 Bar Blues
- Learning the Blues with Wynton Marsalis
- Robert B. Jones, Sr.
How To Play
- How to Play Blues
- How to Play Blues Harmonica
- Blues Guitar Lesson 101
- Playing the Blues
- Blues Theory Basics
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All proceeds from the MVBS store help fund our mission and our efforts to preserve the Blues.
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