Blues Camp FAMU

Blues Camp Palm Beach County

Photo by Fernando Jones

Proposal from Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp International

To Florida A&M University Development Research School (FAMU-DRS)

Tallahassee, Florida

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Dr. Jerry, I will come to FAMU in the Winter or Spring to survey the spaces and help promote and recruit. An online audition can be available for those unable to audition in person. My number is (773) 841-5262.

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Just as there are fundamentals for playing your favorite sport, we will teach the fundamentals and basic skills needed to become a more impactful musician and well-rounded student. Blues Camp FAMU-DRS will provide student musicians (Blues Kids) with career readiness skills. We will survey Blues, Funk, and Soul styles.

During this 4 to 5 day experience the Blues Kids will be placed into ensembles/bands based on age and skillset(s).All vocal styles and instruments are welcome. Participants will learn and play 3 to 5 songs in their ensembles/bands. They will present those songs during their Friday morning class or Thursday evening concert as a culminating activity. Blues Camp will also include extracurricular activities including but not limited to a campus tour and public community concert performance during that week.

Schedule: Monday, June15 to 19, 2026

8:30A | Welcome to Campus (Morning Blues Jam + Snacks)

9A to 9:15A | Morning Assembly: Roll Call

9:20A to 11:20A | Ensemble Sessions

11:25A to 11:50A | Return to Auditorium / Pro Talk / Lunch

12P Dismissal

Tentative Equipment + Space Needs

FAMU will donate/provide the space and gear needed to facilitate Blues Camp. We need each ensemble room to have 1 drum set w/hardware and cymbals, 2 to 3 guitar amplifiers, 1 bass amplifier, 1 to keyboards w/amplifiers and a PA System w/2 to 3 microphones and stands. As an option Blues Kids can bring their own musical instruments

Lodging/Flights Needs:

3 hotel rooms + direct flights from Chicago's MDW or ORD airports for the instructors.

Rate: $15K

Blues Kids Foundation will provide:

• 25 to 40 local and national student musicians ages 12 to 18 on campus.

• An online audition portal, registration and emergency/waiver forms.

• The curriculum and instructors including Fernando Jones.

• 25 to 40 T-Shirts, swag bags and certificates for the Blues Kids.

• Physical and digital Blues Camp flyer for FAMU-DRS mailings, social media posts, email blasts, etc.

• A 30-minute concert by Jones’ band in conjunction with the Blues Camp culmination activity.

Will FAMU-DRS:

• Organize press coverage from the pre-audition to the audition(s) to the Blues Camp itself?

• Provide 3 to 4 performance ensemble rooms in the same building w/musical instruments TBD?

• Host a Meet & Greet for the parents/guardians, Blues Kids and Blues Camp instructors?

• Provide daily breakfast and lunch for the Blues Kids?

How much does the cost?

The "auditioned" Blues Kids will be awarded tuition waiver scholarships. In other words, it's free.

How are Blues Kids selected?

Entry is competitive. Beginner, intermediate and advanced placement in ensembles is available. For audition information visit BluesKids.com/EarlyBird.

Who will be the Instructors?

A team of highly qualified and internationally-traveled instructors including Fernando Jones will teach..

How can the parents get involved?

We can have Blues Mamas & Daddies band. This is a concept based on family inclusion. The week will be a nonstop party so why can’t the adults have a piece of the pie, too? If any parent/guardian, volunteer, etc. wants to be in the Blues Mamas & Daddies email us at Info@BluesKids.com. Put Blues Mamas & Daddies in the subject field.

Internationally known Bluesman Fernando Jones founded Blues Camp, an international program, and established it Monday, July 5, 2010 on the campus of Columbia College Chicago where he is on faculty in the Music Department. Jones said, "It has been a dream since childhood to have a centrally located place where children could come and play the Blues in a user friendly, nurturing environment on a college or performing arts campus."

The Blues Kids Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. We were established to preserve, perform and promote the Blues among America's youth, parents and educators under the tutelage of highly qualified instructors. Our focus is on education, literacy, social emotional learning and music as a second language.

KNOWLEDGE