Uke Can Do It, Just Put Your Mind to It!

Funded Nov 17, 2021

My students are jamming out on these ukuleles! They have learned three chords, and with those three chords they have played music by Adele and Justin Timberlake.

A moment I would love to share with you all is when students were learning chords. I would teach the chord, where your fingers go and what it should sound like, then go around making sure everyone was doing it correctly. I had students so excited to show me the chord that they would run up to me asking if it was right. Once they had it correct they would ask me if they could go around and help other students. It amazed me to see them take on such leadership roles. Students who did not engage in any activities in music were playing the ukuleles and excited to go and help others.

When my students first saw the ukuleles, to me, it felt like Christmas morning when you found the perfect gift for a loved one and you just couldn't wait to see the look on their face when they opened it. When I showed them a ukulele their eyes lit up! When I told them that people generously donated and that there would be a class set of ukuleles for everyone to use, they erupted in cheers! They were so excited to get their hands on one and kept asking if they could take these home. It broke my heart to tell them that they couldn't take them home, but then they asked how much they were and where to get them because they wanted to save up money or ask for one for their birthday.

The next step for my students and these amazing ukuleles is to continue learning basic chords, strum patterns, and how to read tablature. Once they have a few chords in their toolbox as well as several strumming patterns, they will move on to creating an original piece of music. Before we start a lesson, I give students time to explore the sounds the ukulele can make. After that exploration time, students ask to come up and share with the class what they created. These ukuleles are fostering a sense of creativity and ownership within the students, and I am excited to see the work they will put in to their original compositions. We cannot thank you enough for supporting our love of music!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Williams