BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS HITS THE RIGHT NOTE WITH 4TH GRADERS IN ST BERNARD PARISH

The St. Bernard Parish Public School System recently hosted its third annual Blues in the Schools, an engaging musical program that brings the spirit and history of the Blues to 4th grade students across the parish. In partnership with the New Orleans Blues Society, the event gave young students a special opportunity to experience live Blues performances, cultural expression, and music history – right in their own community.

The concert was hosted this year at Docville Farm, made possible through the generosity of The Meraux Foundation. With support from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the district’s Transportation Department was able to bus hundreds of students to and from the venue, which showcased lively and engaging performances by both the Pontchartrain Shakers and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes.

4th graders from all seven elementary schools were able to witness these master musicians perform, learning how the Blues has shaped and influenced many modern musical genres. Each child was also provided an egg shaker, making both performances interactive and giving them a tactile connection to the music.

Blues in the Schools is designed to introduce younger students – who are at the beginning of their musical journeys – to the evolution of music and the significance of Blues as a foundational genre. The program also underscores the vibrancy of New Orleans and Louisiana’s musical legacy, fostering pride in the region’s cultural identity. St. Bernard native and Blues Society member Eric Schmidt worked with the school system to organize the event, noting how important it is for students in the community to understand the role Blues music plays in shaping American culture. “Blues is the seed that grew a lot of musical genres,” Schmidt said. “When students learn about its roots, they start to see how so much of the music they love today connects back to this tradition.”

Charles Cassar, Director of Cultural Arts for the school system, was also on hand and reflected on the importance of the event. “Having young students in the same room as these masters of their craft is an invaluable experience,” Cassar said. “This brings music to life, gives real-world context to what they study, and creates a memorable moment they won’t soon forget.”