After a 2-year hiatus NYS Blues Festival’s “Blues in The Schools” program resumed this week.

Liverpool Elementary hosted our first 2023 Blues in The Schools blues education program, Thursday May 11. Local bluesman, Colin Aberdeen, engaged with 5th grade students by providing blues history, storytelling, sample of blues beats and sang songs with impromptu lyrics written by groups of 3-4 students during their 45-minute sessions.

This immersive Blues music experience will continue with sessions scheduled at other school districts including West Genesee, East-Syracuse Minoa, and Syracuse City Schools.

Blues in The Schools is made possible by support from Empower Federal Credit Union, Syracuse Haulers and C&S Companies.

For more information on the Blues in The Schools program visit our website nysbluesfest.com/bits.

More News & Events

2026 KJ James Memorial Scholarship Winners Announced

The New York State Blues Festival is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Beginnings Credit Union KJ James Memorial Scholarship, presented annually to outstanding young musicians from across New York State.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Admission-Free New York State Blues Festival on June 11, 12 & 13!

Gibson Gives Guitar Raffle

The New York State Blues Festival is excited to announce the return of our annual guitar raffle, benefiting Blues Ignition, the festival’s student band program.