About Crossroads Blues Society of Northern Illinois
The Crossroads Blues Society, or CBS for short, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that primarily raises funds in order to host Blues In The Schools Programs in the greater Rockford area of northern Illinois. These programs are fully funded by CBS and there is absolutely no cost to area schools for these programs.
Blues In The Schools (BITS) is a nationally acclaimed cultural and musical appreciation program that helps students understand the rural and urban African-American culture. Age appropriate content is formatted to deliver high quality learning experiences that meet the goals and fulfill the mission of Blues In The Schools, Inc. Based on this premise, this program was developed to suit the needs of students in a variety of settings from organizations to schools.
Many areas of culture and art are explored in a hands on setting where students actively participate in the creation of music and composition of songs that represent them.
The purpose of the program is to introduce students to the Musical Art form that originated in Africa and was brought to the new world via slavery. The music has since undergone many changes but still maintains the essence of deep expression that the tradition it is based on instills. The programs goals include providing a forum where students can identify the cultural, geographical and historical origins and evolution of Blues music and the people who composed and played it while gaining an understanding of it's significance in the world of modern music and popular culture.
Programs may vary, but a typical BITS program is comprised of:
• Origins of Blues as African Tradition
• History of Blues in the New World
• Instruments used yesterday and today
• Migration and Evolution of the Blues
• Definitions of Blues terms
• Songwriting exercise
• Interactive Music making
We work to raise funds for programs through membership, donations and matching grants. We collect annual dues from members and receive donations from citizens who share our conviction to keep the blues alive. Grants from the Rockford Area Arts Council have also been received each year. We have held fund raising concerts and events each year to assist in fund raising. The funds that are raised and collected each year are used to host Spring and Fall programs in area schools.
Since inception in 2002, our BITS programs have touched approximately 20,000 students through over 70 programs we have provided in the Northern Illinois area. Programs have been held for schools in the Rockford, Winnebago, Freeport, Belvidere, Harlem, Honenegah, Meridian, Byron, Dakota and Durand School Systems.
Membership dues are part of our fundraising efforts. Annual membership is $15 for an individual or $25 for a family. Dues can be mailed to:
Crossroads Blues Society
P.O. Box 722
Freeport, IL 61032
A bi-monthly newsletter of club events is mailed to all members. The club meets monthly to discuss club efforts and to enjoy a local blues performance at an area blues venue. New members also receive a blues CD from our collection.
CBS received the 2005 Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Award for Best Musical Outreach Program. The outstanding BITS efforts by CBS have brought praise from educators and local arts and music industry people. All programs have been well received by area schools. Each Spring or Fall Program reaches between 1,500 and 2,000 students. The programs are very economically run; program cost run well under a dollar per student, and the programs do not cost anything for the schools.
Crossroads Blues Society of Northern Illinois's Friend Space (Top 7)
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Thanks for the add! Hope some of your members can check out Ronnie Baker Brooks at The Clearwater Theater in West Dundee, Illinois on Saturday November 14th. Should be a great show and a few WCBS memebers will be there.
Welcome to Myspace! Your support for our music has been a huge lift, and we know all your good work is keepin' the mojos trimmed, and the night lights burning. Keep on!
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