Bluegrass in the Schools
 

The Central Texas Bluegrass Association has been presenting an educational and entertaining program of bluegrass music to school children throughout the Central Texas area for several years. The shows, given at a number of area schools, have been received very enthusiastically by both students and music teachers. Lesson plans are provided to complement the oral presentation. The bands who give the presentations are chosen for their ability to communicate with students as well as their musical talents.

CTBA's Bluegrass in the Schools program is a great way to spread the word of bluegrass to a young potential audience throughout Central Texas. If you would be interested in being involved in a future presentation, know a school that may wish to host a performance, or would like more information please contact us.

 
Fundraising Goal
Contributions are needed to help underwrite these educational and entertaining bluegrass presentations given at local schools. We are seeking corporate and individual sponsors to underwrite this program for this school year. Contribute Today!
 
Highland Park Elementary Show
CTBA members, Eddie Collins, Wes Green and Mark Rubin, gave a special presentation on bluegrass music to about eighty 4th graders at Highland Park Elementary on May 20th. The trio was invited to perform and share their insights on the history and learning to play bluegrass music as part of CTBA's Bluegrass in the Schools program.

Being that it was a Friday and the end of the school year, one might expect a bunch of youngsters to be quite antsy. To the contrary, the students were very focused, sang and clapped along, and asked excellent questions. The trio, nicknamed “The Bluegrass Blowhards” started by questioning the crowd as to what state is nicknamed “The Bluegrass State?” After pointing out that Mexico was not a state, a student offered Kentucky and the Blowhards broke into Bill Monroe's “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” complete with the 3/4 time kick off and rousing 2/4 time closure.

Some of the discussion topics included:

  • The bluegrass beat, including the role of the various instruments
  • The forefathers of bluegrass, including Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers
  • Topics of bluegrass songs

    • Wes demonstrated the role and technique of the mandolin and fiddle, Eddie did the same for banjo and guitar, while Mark gave a presentation on the “Doghouse” base. Several times the students spontaneously clapped along during the performance and gave Mark a rousing round of applause after he nearly ripped the strings of his bass doing a triple-slap solo during “Foggy Mountain Special.”