This year’s annual Americana Project Guest Artist Concert will be held in the Pagosa Springs High School auditorium on Wednesday, April 29, at 7pm.
Students from the class will open the show with a great mix of covers and original songs. This year’s special guest is the band Mojo Birds. Their sound is a mix of roots, rock, soul and Afro-Peruvian mojo. Inspired by the likes of The Band and a touch of Al Green, these Birds are sure to get you tapping your toes.
Tickets for this evening of music are $20 for adults, $15 for students/seniors, and 12 and under are free. Tickets are only available at the door. The doors will open at 6:30pm. Please help us spread the word, and let’s celebrate music in the public schools.
The Americana Project was established in 2008 to provide an outlet for students who love music but may not participate in traditional music programs like band or choir.
With the help of grant funding and a dedicated group of educators, administrators and community mem- bers, Pagosa Springs High School partnered with Brad Tisdel to mentor the local team on how to successfully implement the program. Tisdel is the originator of the Americana Project in Sisters, Ore. A key focus from the beginning was community involve- ment, and the project quickly gained
local support.
During a time when many school districts across the country were cutting arts programs due to economic challenges, the Archuleta school board made a clear and courageous decision to protect and invest in the arts. This support made it possible to launch the Americana Project and to sustain it through the years.
Christine Funk, a local community member, played an essential role early on, organizing fundraisers to help purchase instruments and equipment.
Each year, the program invests in bringing a professional musician or group to both perform and mentor the students.
Over the years, the Americana Project has welcomed an impressive list of guest artists, including: Victor Wooten, Pete Kartsounes, KJ Denhert, Sway Wild, Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin, Bo DePena, Joe Craven, Joseph Wooten, Thom Chacon, Caleb Hawley, Jaden Carlson Trio, Elder Grown, Good Time Travelers, Beth Wood, Songs of the Fall, Nathaniel Talbot, Vicki Genfan, Gary Morris, Ariella, and Patrice Pike.
The class continues to thrive as an elective course that uses music, performance and songwriting to encourage self-expression, build confidence and give students a chance to connect through creativity.