BFMS and VHS Collaborate to Host Blues Project

In celebration of Black History month, Ben Franklin Middle School and Valparaiso High School collaborate to put together the Blues Project. The seventh annual Blues Project took place on March 17 at Valparaiso High School and was hosted by June Saavedra and Steve Cronk, from WVLP 98.3. In order to put this remarkable show together, the Ben Franklin Middle School students study the history of the Blues by writing reports, listening to music and watching videos in their social studies classes. The Blues Project was created as a means of sharing what the students had learned and helping educate others on one of the great forms of American art, the blues.

"Now that it’s all over, the time has come to share some of what we learned with you. The songs and reports that you will be hearing tonight were part of our journey," producer Scott Cvelbar said.

Students of Ben Franklin Middle School and Valparaiso High School performed songs from some famous blues artists and groups like Field Holler, Van Morrison, Delta Blues, Great Migration, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Cream, Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Stevie Ray Vaughan, U2 with BB King, Nas, Moby, White Stripes, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Gary Clark Jr. and Buddy Guy. Between the music, students also read reports they had written about various artists and the overall history of blues culture.

The blues project was accompanied by a house band which consisted of: Zack Hall on guitar, Scott Cvelbar on guitar and vocals, Gabe Saavedra on bass, Scotty Schultz on drums and vocals, Greg Kenworthy on guitar and vocals, Carolyn Rodea on keyboard and Johnny Costa on harp. As a concluder, Scott Cvelbar also wanted to give a special thanks to the VHS seniors Erik Muntzing, John Miller and Peter Fink for participating in the Blues project every year, and truly setting an example for the future performers of the Blues Project

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