First Ukulele Jam hub springs to life with a joyous chorus
DUNEDIN children raised ukuleles to their foreheads in salute yesterday as they took their first foray into the world of music.
The eleventh annual Ukulele Jam kicked off at Kaikorai Valley College (KVC) yesterday, which saw pupils from Balaclava School,
Mornington School and Concord School and KVC learn basic ukulele skills.
It was the first of six smaller jams, as opposed to the usual single day event.
KVC head of music and organiser Rion Corlet said the children loved being able to experiment with the instruments in a comfortable setting.
The pupils always raised the ukuleles to their heads together as a group during the event.
By having all the pupils together they could strum along without worrying about their ability.
There were many who seemed eager to carry on with music after having their first taste, he said.
Pupils were taught a range of songs, such as Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N’ Roses, Lullaby by Tiki Taane and Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Mr Corlet said the event usually travelled around the city on the day, but with Covid19 restrictions in place it would be better to run different hubs on different days.
Hubs would be held at Balmacewen Intermediate next week, Tahuna Intermediate next month and further jams next term.
Between lessons pupils were invited to come on stage and perform, with some showing off their ukulele skills and others displaying dances.
Concord School pupil Naomi Jones took to the stage to show off a sailor’s horn pipe dance, followed by a violin performance.
Music Education Otago secretary Alison Caldwell said it could not be held over the last two years due to Covid19 and restrictions meant it was better to run the jam as a series of smaller, spread out events.