2017 Festival Community Programs
It has been a very rewarding and impactful year for festival community programs. From September through July, our private teachers and band coaches with BSOMA (Bluesfest School of Music and Art), RBC Bluesfest Be in the Band, and the international and cross-Canadian educator base for Blues in the Schools have been introducing kids of all ages to new styles of music, training and working with up and coming young musicians to help prepare them for music exams, auditions, and for many, assisting in developing long term goals of performing in their community and at the festivals.
- For RBC Bluesfest Be in the Band, local music educators have been working with young bands all over the city. We recently expanded into more rural spots located in Perth, Carleton Place and Almonte and as a result, over 120 students will be performing at RBC Bluesfest this year. Supported by RBC Foundation.
BITB at the Blacksheep Inn 
Madison and Family, Perth 
Boys and Girls Club - Blues in the Schools was a huge success this year reaching over 6500 kids per day in 22 schools across Ottawa and the surrounding area with 20 local artists employed and 4 out of towners. 3 school groups of grade 2’s with approximately 60 kids performed at RBC Bluesfest this year!
BITS on PJ Day 
BITS rehearsing for fest 
Sharon Riley with BITS - Our Collaboration with Youth Ottawa “The Road to Bluesfest” saw 40 video applicants competing for 8 slots at the festival on the final Sunday. One of the finalists was booked by the Festival of Small Halls following their performance.
Coaching Sessions at BSOMA 
On Stage at the Festival 
Art Project - The Bluesfest School of Music and Art was very active again with 10 DJ’s performing over the course of the
festival, the Bluesfest Community Choir, 3 bands from RockU including the RockU Summer Camp, and the annual TJ Wheeler String Band. BSOMA now employs over 16 local teachers in music and art classes over the year and engages hundreds of youth daily in the arts.
Special thanks to all who contribute to these programs throughout the year including our sponsors, volunteers, community representatives, artist educators, festival staff and parents.
