Strathmore and MCPS Celebrate a Decade of Bringing the Blues to Fifth Graders

Originally published by Strathmore, October 22, 2026

---

NORTH BETHESDA, Md. – Oct. 15, 2026 – For a decade, a collaborative, creative partnership between Strathmore and Montgomery County Public Schools has transformed music education into an unforgettable milestone for local fifth-grade students. Next week, the two organizations proudly celebrate the 10th anniversary of their custom-crafted original blues concert for annual fifth graders at the Music Center at Strathmore – welcoming 12,500 students for an immersive journey into American music history. 

Stepping into the Music Center’s Concert Hall marks a full-circle return for fifth-grade students, as many first experienced the venue with the National Philharmonic during their second-grade MCPS Strathmore concert visits. A pillar of Strathmore’s Bloom Arts Access Initiative, the program ensures equitable access by removing financial and logistical barriers, providing fully funded experiences and transportation so that every fifth-grade student across the district can attend. 

Running from Oct. 20 through Oct. 23, this year’s anniversary performances of The Blues celebrate a decade of the original program, launched in 2016. The fifth-grade concert programs had already evolved through earlier iterations since the opening of the Music Center, including a touring collaboration with JazzReach in earlier years. However, 2016 marked a turning point when Strathmore and MCPS forged a new path by co-creating their own curriculum-aligned production. 

The Blues was created in direct collaboration with music education leadership, the Library of Congress, and longtime Strathmore Artists in Residence (AIR) mentor and nationally known blues and boogie-woogie pianist Daryl Davis. The production blends live performance with curated video to bring core classroom concepts, such as the 12-bar blues progression, historic lyric forms, and cultural roots, to life on stage. By connecting the roots of the blues to R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, and country, the program invites students to explore how music helps carry listeners through tough times. 

“When this program was reinvented 10 years ago, I was right there in the classroom working with students,” said Ashley D. Graham, coordinator of choral and general music at MCPS. “In my current role I get to be a bigger part of making these concerts possible, and I treasure seeing our music curriculum come alive on the stage at Strathmore. Knowing that this program provides equitable access to the arts for every single child in our district is an especially powerful experience.” 

The MCPS fifth-grade music curriculum also positions the genre as a quintessentially American art form and the root of modern music. In the months leading to the concert, students explore these concepts in class, culminating in a memorable live experience where the entire audience sings along with the band on “Singin’ the Blues” – a song written by AIR alumna Rochelle Rice, who now serves as Strathmore’s Director of Artists in Residence and Artistic Advancement Fellowship Programs. Rice and award-winning pianist and music director Mark Meadows are among the original 2016 cast members who helped lay the foundation for the concert series by originating the lead vocalist and pianist roles. 

“When we created this production, our goal was to honor the rich history of the blues in our country and enhance student learning by aligning directly with the MCPS curriculum,” said Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement. “Reaching this decade milestone is proof that vision works. Bringing those classroom lessons to life, especially when thousands of kids join the band to sing ‘Singin’ the Blues’ together at the end of the show, is just pure joy.” 

For this year’s milestone anniversary, the Strathmore Blues Band brings together AIR alumni and leading regional guest artists who serve as both dynamic performers and mentors. The band features Meadows on piano and as bandleader and narrator; Kanysha Williams on vocals and narration; Horace Turner, also known as Black Magic, on harmonica; Cristian Perez on acoustic guitar; Eliot Seppa on electric bass; Elijah Jamal Balbed on tenor saxophone; Jess Eliot Myhre on clarinet; and Isabelle DeLeon on percussion. 

The artistic vision for the 10th anniversary fifth grade concert is also guided by a dedicated production team, including Campbell aswriter and producer; Meadows as music director; and Daryl Davis as writer and artistic advisor. The Blues is an original production of Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc. 

The annual fifth-grade concert series complements Strathmore’s companion second-grade concerts with the National Philharmonic, creating a continuous elementary arts pathway for Montgomery County students. For more information about Strathmore’s educational initiatives and community programming, visit www.strathmore.org. 

---

ABOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (MCPS)

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the largest school system in Maryland and one of the largest in the United States. The district serves more than 150,000 students across more than 200 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as special education and alternative centers. MCPS is deeply committed to academic excellence, equity, and ensuring that every student is ready for college, career, and community success. Supported by a highly diverse and dedicated workforce, the district works in partnership with families and the community to foster safe, inclusive, and positive learning environments. 

ABOUT STRATHMORE

Since 1983, Strathmore has enriched lives through transformative artistic experiences and meaningful community connections. Based in North Bethesda, Md., this nonprofit cultural institution showcases world-class talent, supports emerging artists, and offers diverse programs at its Music Center and Trawick Mansion, as well as across Montgomery County. Strathmore fosters creativity and community through performance, educational initiatives, and accessible arts programming. Experience the magic of Strathmore, where the arts are everywhere. Follow Strathmore on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 

---