Narrogin Spring Festival visitors were entertained by the energetic and enthusiastic ukulele players drawn from all ages and sections of the community.
Two local music teachers – Fiona Hastie and Mazz Witham – approached ARtS Narrogin in 2014 for help to buy ukuleles.
They wanted to introduce children and the broader community to music using ukuleles.
The idea was considered to have merit, a proposal discussed with Lotterywest and a funding application, with support from Narrogin Muso’s Club and Mazz’s Music, was submitted.
ARtS Narrogin purchased 32 ukuleles, music stands, tuners and other accessories and hosted two workshops with teacher Ginny Webb.
A group of community members and all the pupils at St Matthews Primary School are now enthusiastically playing the ukulele.
Ms Hastie said, “The response to my ukulele initiative from the kids at Saint Matthews has been amazing and inspirational. They are loving it and are picking it up quite quickly. Every student from grade 3 to 7 is having a lesson every week and it is very encouraging to see their eagerness to play.
“I am thinking about the possibility of offering the programme to other schools in
the area in 2015.”
The first public performances were held at the Narrogin Spring Festival in October and more are expected during 2015.
