Hamilton Loomis taught the basics of the “blues harp” to students of the Signature Music School on Friday, April 13th at Eisenhower Middle School. This was Signature Music School’s first event, with students from elementary and middle schools coming together for the first time.
After the first 15 minutes of his 2-hour workshop, international recording and touring artist Loomis had all 25 students “playin’ the blues”.
The Topeka Blues Society sponsored the workshop and paid for the students’ tuition and harmonicas.
Stacy Neumann, Music Coordinator for the Signature Music School at Ross Elementary and Eisenhower Middle Schools, selected the participants based on their desire to attend, their grades and behavior, as well as recommendations from teachers. Neumann’s goal for the program is that the students gain an appreciation for what blues music does for people and that they learn that playing an instrument is one form of self expression.
Neumann emphasized that for children learning to play music, they must realize, “There is intelligence behind this. The ability does not just fall out of the sky; you have to study and learn. It’s part of who you are.”
Hamilton Loomis, who was mentored early in his career by rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, was exposed to blues music as a youth and is eager to share his enthusiasm for the genre with young people. “This is a way for me personally to hand down knowledge I gained growing up,” he says. “Blues is where all of our popular music came from. This workshop is designed to tweak their interest and get the kids playing.”
The Topeka Blues Society’s mission is to regularly provide musical opportunities and education for youth who might not otherwise be exposed to this genre of music.
See the photos – https://topekabluessociety.org/wp/2012/05/22/test/?album=1&gallery=15
See the video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGPaf3LYl6Y&feature=youtu.be
