Five Questions With: Cleveland Kurtz

Cleveland Kurtz, president of the Rhode Island Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, discussed his organization's commitment to music in education for young people.
Cleveland Kurtz, president of the Rhode Island Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, discussed his organization's commitment to music in education for young people.

Cleveland Kurtz has been president of the Rhode Island Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society for about five years. Along with a love for the music, he supports the group’s commitment to music in education for young people. He retired from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Continuing Education after 26 years of teaching and academic advising. Here he shares how his organization fulfills its mission.

PBN: Professor Edward A. Coates founded your all-volunteer nonprofit in 2003. How has the mission changed since those early days?
KURTZ:
The mission and vision that inspired Ed Coates to give birth to our organization in 2003 continues to guide the Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society today. Professor Coates, himself a formidable musician who played a significant role in Rhode Island’s music scene, wanted an organization dedicated to the celebration, preservation and promotion of rhythm and blues and the vital role it played in the black community and the community as a whole.
During his presidency, Professor Coates established the group’s major elements, which included high-quality performances, collecting and archiving local music history and supporting music education for Rhode Island’s young people. His extensive experience not only made him a music history resource, but also gave us access to the veteran musicians who perform for us or play in our band today. Our efforts thus far have been to stay the course and continue what he started.

PBN: Your Nov. 8 annual meeting features the Trinity Academy for Performing Arts Youth Band and guest artists. What should the audience expect besides performances?
KURTZ:
The Board of Directors and volunteers will host the 2015 annual Meet & Greet. It is open to members, guests and the community at large.
This event is an opportunity for our organization to build support, showcase our support for music education and continue our efforts to establish a rapport with the community. Along with snacks, there will be introductions and informational presentations from both the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts and our group. Attendees will have a chance to meet us personally and get answers to their questions.

PBN: Describe the Instruments for Children scholarship program. How many youth have you helped acquire instruments to date?
KURTZ:
We recognize that our schools are under financial stress, and too often music programs, along with other arts program, suffer the most. Many music programs have been cut back or eliminated. Some students are unable to participate because the price of the musical instrument is prohibitive. Our Instruments for Children program provides musical instruments for children who may not otherwise be able to participate in music programming.
To date, we have provided more than 300 instruments to Rhode Island nonprofits and school systems. Major recipients include the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts, West Broadway Middle School, the Warwick school system, Woonsocket public schools, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Pawtucket Urban Music Project and many others.
We advertise for musical instruments in local and statewide publications three to four times each year with much success. Through the generosity of Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents’ financial support and donations of new or slightly used musical instruments, we are able to help preserve and promote Rhode Island schools’ music programs.

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PBN: How many volunteers support the organization? What are you doing to build support?
KURTZ:
We never have as many volunteers as we need, and the number varies according to the interest generated by an event or activity. We announce our needs in our newsletter and by word-of-mouth.
Presently, we need help with our advertising and social media efforts, and a little help with our productions would mean a lot. We are able to build support through periodic musical events, an extensive email network, social media, outreach to individuals and other organizations and through our website, www.bluespreservationsociety.org.
As a membership organization, we are always seeking new members and volunteers to support our various programs.

PBN: How many artists are represented in your Oral History interviews and videos? How can the public access this treasure-trove of biographical information?
KURTZ:
The historical preservation of rhythm and blues is also rooted in our mission. We have conducted over 25 interviews, and collected photos and memorabilia of musicians, club owners, band leaders and historians from the Rhode Island rhythm and blues historical community between the years of 1940 and 1970. This material may be found at the Rhode Island Historical Society as part of their historic collection.

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