Twenty-five students from the Signature Music School will learn the basics of playing blues harmonica from international recording and touring artist Hamilton Loomis on April 12, 2013. The Topeka Blues Society is sponsoring the workshop one Friday April 12th, at Ross/Eisenhower at 1:00 to 2:45 and will pay for the students’ tuition and harmonicas.
Stacy Neumann, Music Coordinator for the Signature Music School at Ross Elementary and Eisenhower Middle Schools, is selecting 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 emphasizes 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 regularly provides musical opportunities and education for youth who might not otherwise be exposed to this genre of music.
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CONTACT: Suki Willison, President of the Topeka Blues Society, 785.554.5478 or Stacy Neumann Music Coordinator, Signature Music School 785-274-6244
