American Roots Music Education and Project for Neighborhood Aftercare (PNA) are partners for this workshop project. The project serves elementary and middle school students who are enrolled in PNA after school programs and who fit the federal definition of "At-Risk" youth. ARME provides the program and materials free to the students and PNA teachers.
          A professional musician-educator from ARME meets with a group of 15 students for one hour, one day per week for seven weeks to teach students the basics of playing the harmonica, how to improvise blues melodies and rhythms, how to compose blues songs in the traditional 12-bar format, and about the history of blues music and its influence on contemporary popular music.
          Students each receive an instructional booklet, a practice CD, and 2 Hohner harmonicas to use during the workshops and to keep afterwards. The 47-page booklet and companion CD were written and produced by ARME specifically for this project.
          The PNA teacher involved in the project works with students on Fridays to reinforce what students (and the PNA teacher) learned from the musician-educator. On the final week the students perform for other students, their parents, and teachers. The students will play classic harmonica songs, some original blues songs, and perform in an improvisational jam session.
          Currently, six 7-week workshops sessions are scheduled for Spring 2006. ARME plans to expand the program during the 06/07 school year and offer nine 7-week sessions.

For grades 3-8.
R&B in Tennessee
for grades 5-12		 Swamp Stories
for grades K-4		 This Song Is Our Song
for grades K-6
What Did the Blues Do for You?
for grades K-8		 Música de la Gente
for grades K-8		 Learn about our other programs by clicking on these links