Tuesday, November 26, 2024
PHILADELPHIA (November 26, 2024) — More than 300 Philadelphia students attended a unique educational concert experience featuring The Blues SchoolHouse Band at The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark on November 14, 2024.
This unique scripted interactive live musical presentation is designed for grades 5-12 students. It traces the history of the blues from its roots in African musical traditions to today’s modern rock, rap and beyond. The Blues SchoolHouse experience was developed by Music Forward, a national non-profit organization and Live Nation’s charity arm, nearly three decades ago. Pennsylvania-based health solution provider, Highmark Blue Shield, is helping bring this legacy program to Philadelphia for the first time ever.
"Music plays a positive role in education and well-being, so we’re pleased to be supporting not just the musical interests of our young people, but their health as well. Highmark's investment in providing access to music education is to encourage creativity, create opportunity, and empower healthier lifestyle choices,” said Ken Lawrence, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Highmark Blue Shield.
The goal of Blues SchoolHouse is to inspire and educate about the wonderfully rich genesis of blues music — including its historic use as a tool for communication for celebrations and for expressions of sorrow, struggle and introspection. Blues SchoolHouse encourages young audiences to consider the role of both individuals and movements in bringing about social transformation and reminds us that music is an integral part of our lives that helps us to transcend real or perceived differences and disparities, uniting us all in powerful ways.
The Blues SchoolHouse Band — John Wadkins (keyboards/musical director), Ayeisha Mathis (drums), Katani Sumner (vocals/narrator), Roman Barten-Sherman (guitar), Zachary Rochester (bass) — teaches students about the ways people have always used music to tell stories, preserve memories and create a sense of connection. The experiential music program weaves major historical events and contemporary Blues influenced songs, demonstrating how music reflects social conditions and drives social change. The music exemplifies how deeply African and African American music and cultural traditions influence the music of today.
Music Forward bridges opportunities for the music community to become more innovative and inclusive. Focusing on young people aged 13-24 from under-represented communities, the organization provides access to an unsurpassed nationwide network of music and live entertainment industry insiders to redefine what is possible for tomorrow’s innovators and leaders.
Earlier this year, Highmark Blue Shield strengthened its presence in Philadelphia through a partnership with The Met, the beloved local live music venue, unveiling The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark. Located on North Broad Street, the restored historic venue is a vital community partner, delivering unforgettable experiences through concerts and community events to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
About Highmark Blue Shield
Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Shield, protects Pennsylvania individuals and families with a range of high-quality, affordable and reliable health insurance solutions. As the only Blue Shield licensee in Pennsylvania, Highmark Blue Shield has a long and successful history of delivering remarkable experiences in Southeastern Pennsylvania through the Federal Employee Program. Highmark Blue Shield earned a Brand Excellence Award from the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, in recognition of its efforts in building brand strength and providing superior customer service, solid financial performance and enrollment growth. Highmark is also annually recognized as a "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality" from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" through the Disability Equality Index® a leading national benchmark established jointly by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com
About Music Forward Foundation
Music Forward transforms young lives, inspires careers, and champions a more inclusive music industry. The organization bridges communities to the music industry, empowers ambition, and creates momentum to redefine what is possible for the youth and industry we serve. Over the past 30+ years, Music Forward Foundation has served over 1 million young people and provided more than $42 million in scholarships, workforce opportunities and relief funds. Music Forward is the evolution of the International House of Blues Foundation, which began in 1993. Acclaimed artists Phoebe Bridgers, Trombone Shorty and Andrae Alexander are past program participants and grant recipients. Performers such as Kahlid, Sophia Carson, Lauren Daigle, Martina McBride, Carlos Santana, and Julia Michaels have served as ambassadors for Music Forward. Learn more at www.musicforwardfoundation.org.
For more information, contact
Denée Crumrine
Highmark Delaware
denee.crumrine@highmarkhealth.org
