Photo: Blues Foundation promotional
The Blues Foundation expanded its longstanding Blues in the Schools youth education efforts with a new initiative that began in 2010 entitled Generation Blues. Generation Blues was created to provide financial assistance to aspiring young Blues musicians whose limited financial resources might prohibit them from attending a Blues music learning opportunity. This scholarship program is available for those under the age of 21 to study their instrument of choice at reputable camps, seminars, and workshop programs in the United States and Canada. The Scholarship does not fund individual lessons or tuition.
The purpose of Generation Blues is to inspire and cultivate the next generation of blues lovers – whether aspiring musicians or fans. We encourage young blues enthusiasts to join The Blues Foundation as Youth Members. To make membership accessible, there is no cost for youth to join. Youth can maintain their free membership with The Blues Foundation until they turn 21 years of age. By offering our next generation of blues lovers free membership, we are inviting them to begin a lifetime of listening and playing this great music. The advantages include starting young supporters to participate in the activities of their local / regional blues societies and The Blues Foundation. In doing so, we are working to ensure the love of blues music and its history is passed on from generation to generation.
Programs attended by Generation Blues scholarship recipients generally take place in the summer at the recipients’ choice of location. Participants are awarded scholarships based first upon financial need using Federal Poverty Guidelines. Participation is open to anyone under the age of 21 who is interested in studying the Blues. Generation Blues scholarships are limited to 3 awards per applicant. Applicants must write a letter of intent and provide a letter of recommendation from a Blues musician, teacher, or someone with experience in the Blues community. The letter of recommendation must be from someone outside the family of the applicant.
Generation Blues candidates and all other youth who are either aspiring Blues musicians or Blues fans are required to become a part of The Blues Foundation by joining the organization as a Youth Member at no cost. In addition, we will maintain their free membership with The Blues Foundation until they turn 21 years of age. By offering our next generation of Blues lovers a free Blues Foundation membership, we invite them to begin a lifetime of listening to this great music as well as participation in the activities of their local Blues societies and The Blues Foundation. Use link below to donate.