Almost everyone in Ottawa has attended Bluesfest or at least knows about it, but did you know that the Ottawa Bluesfest also runs a program called Blues in Schools? Don’t worry, I didn’t either, so let’s find out more.
Ottawa Life had the chance to speak with Ottawa Bluesfest community program manager Alan Marsden. “Blues in the Schools began in 1999 when the festival organization decided to offer a music education outreach program to Ottawa area elementary schools as part of its local charitable initiatives, “said Marsden. “Musicians are invited to visit elementary schools to talk about their musical background in a performance setting and eventually work with students toward an end-of-session project.”
At first, the program mainly focused on music appreciation, covering the history of blues and songwriting techniques. It has since expanded into many roots-based styles, such as folk, Celtic, Afrobeat, gospel, jazz, rock and roll, old-time music, and more. The program is a two-week event for both artists and schools.
Marsden shared that local and out-of-town musicians visit schools for the first four days and put on a performance/lecture to the entire assembly. Each school will see four sets of artists over those first four days, performing live music and talking about their musical genre and history. Artists typically visit eight schools over this time.
Student learning is at the heart of the program. “For the remainder of the program, the invited artists then work with a group of up to 30 students in each school toward a performance in front of the entire assembly on the final day,” stated Marsden. “These workshops typically involve learning songs and writing new ones, with an emphasis on celebrating school themes. If there are students already playing instruments, they are encouraged to join in.”
The future looks bright for Ottawa Bluesfest. In 2026, 20 elementary schools in the Ottawa and surrounding area are signed up, with an estimated 7,000 students impacted daily during assemblies.
In some cases, depending on availability, school core groups can be invited to perform at the Ottawa Bluesfest on the final Sunday, this year on July 19th.
Bluesfest is also involved in other volunteer initiatives, too. “During Bluesfest, there is a green team of volunteers who gather cans to ensure the site is clean,” said volunteer/community engagement manager Keanna Louis-Charles. “In 2025, the Green Team Charity Can Drive raised $21,240.20 from recycling empty cans. This money was distributed to various charity partners, including Blues in Schools, Somerset West Community Health Centre (after-school programs), Makonsag Aboriginal Headstart and Shelter Movers.”
Also, Louis-Charles shared, “Each volunteer receives the entire festival for free (with transportation, meals, a shirt, & an exclusive party!) and our youth program is a great spot for local high school students to complete their mandatory hours.”
Sounds like a great deal to me! See you at Bluesfest in 2026.
Photo: Serena Yang
