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Join Us to Celebrate Music and Education at the Blues in the Schools Showcase 2025 ! We're excited to invite you to a special evening of music and community at the Blues in the Schools (BITS) Showcase on THURSDAY, May 1, 2025, at Brookside Restaurant, 9819 Horn Rd., Sacramento, CA. Doors open at 4:30PM. Live Music: 5pm-8pm Support Our Mission: The BITS Showcase coincides with Sacramento's Big Day of Giving—our primary fundraiser of the year. If you're unable to attend, please consider supporting our cause by donating at Blues in the Schools Donation Page. Your generosity helps us continue our impactful work. Make a Difference: Volunteers, donors, and sponsors like you are the backbone of our success. Come see how your support brings about positive change! Warm regards, Rick Snyder Chair, Blues in the Schools Committee Blues in the Schools (951) 836-6762 [email protected] Together, we make the world a better place through music! Our three one-hour BITS teaching videos are available for rent for in class use on our Vimeo channel at https://vimeo.com/sacbits |
OUR MISSION
If the kid in you remembers the first spark that lit up your learning, the teacher that took extra time to encourage you, or the way you found to express yourself as an individual—then you know how much that shaped the person you became. Since 2005, The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program has served over 56,000 students. Our nationally-recognized program is the main reason we won the coveted 2015 "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. BITS partners with teachers, diverse musician educators (58% are professionals of color) and fellow non-profits (Crocker Museum: “Block by Block”, California Stages) to foster diversity, address economic disparity and increase cultural connection. BITS programs are in multiple districts and neighborhoods, including Oak Park, Midtown, Del Paso Blvd., Colonial Heights, West Sacramento, Haggin and Folsom, CA. We also seek those most in need (Sacramento Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center, Sacramento Juvenile Hall).
If the kid in you remembers the first spark that lit up your learning, the teacher that took extra time to encourage you, or the way you found to express yourself as an individual—then you know how much that shaped the person you became. Since 2005, The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program has served over 56,000 students. Our nationally-recognized program is the main reason we won the coveted 2015 "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award from The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. BITS partners with teachers, diverse musician educators (58% are professionals of color) and fellow non-profits (Crocker Museum: “Block by Block”, California Stages) to foster diversity, address economic disparity and increase cultural connection. BITS programs are in multiple districts and neighborhoods, including Oak Park, Midtown, Del Paso Blvd., Colonial Heights, West Sacramento, Haggin and Folsom, CA. We also seek those most in need (Sacramento Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center, Sacramento Juvenile Hall).
What We Do:The SBS Blues in the Schools (BITS) Program teaches students (K-12) lasting life skills by integrating music education with creative writing, math, African-American history, geography and sociology. Specifically,
We have received many donations during and after Covid. We are always open to accepting gear and cash. |
To donate to Blues In The Schools please click Support US
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We contribute to Sacramento's Creative Economy by creating positive social and economic impacts. Socially, BITS inspires individual creative expression and encourages the building of self-identity, empathy, confidence, and emotional intelligence. This breaks down racial barriers and encourages cultural diversity dialogue.
Economically, in only four years, BITS has hired 300+ professional area musicians from diverse backgrounds. BITS builds musicians’ education skills, teaching in many Title-1 elementary schools. By selling tickets to our fundraising events where teachers, families and blues fans can attend together, we bring revenue to neighborhood venues, restaurants, and other businesses. Studies show that for every $1 spent, an additional $12 is generated.
Most importantly, BITS improves student lives. Ashley S. said it best: “You made me want to live again… I felt so sad my mom died… Your music made me feel like a normal person. I forgot for a while and felt like dancing and singing. Thank you, wonderful bluesmen.”
Economically, in only four years, BITS has hired 300+ professional area musicians from diverse backgrounds. BITS builds musicians’ education skills, teaching in many Title-1 elementary schools. By selling tickets to our fundraising events where teachers, families and blues fans can attend together, we bring revenue to neighborhood venues, restaurants, and other businesses. Studies show that for every $1 spent, an additional $12 is generated.
Most importantly, BITS improves student lives. Ashley S. said it best: “You made me want to live again… I felt so sad my mom died… Your music made me feel like a normal person. I forgot for a while and felt like dancing and singing. Thank you, wonderful bluesmen.”
Who We Serve:
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BITS has served over 56,000 students since 2005. As a Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child Arts Provider with the Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture (SOAC), and through our High School programs, BITS brings relevant arts and cultural experiences to Sacramento students. Our annual Student Showcase brings schools and communities together to celebrate Blues music education, creating an art experience which nourishes identity, self-esteem and cultural connection. Since 2016, BITS has hosted assemblies at area K-8 schools in 16 zip codes, many are Title 1 schools. 68% are from low-income families. BITS has empowered over 4,000 female students. BITS has presented at Sacramento’s Children’s Receiving Home, WIND Youth Center and Juvenile Hall. BITS after school programs run at two Title 1 high schools; Rosemont and West Campus. Our “Out of the Box Festival” featured multiple youth development organizations. We promote on public radio, listener-supported community radio and free neighborhood publications, and via social media. As the great blues poet Willie Dixon said, “The Blues is the roots, the rest is the fruits.” Though often joyous, Blues rose from the suffering of enslaved people
and profound poverty. Thru this uniquely American art form, Blues, students can rise up through song, writing, musical expression, and cultural leadership. |
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