About 300 pupils along with their colourful ukuleles gathered at Tahuna Normal Intermediate yesterday for the 12th annual jam.
They were led by Music Education Otago secretary Alison Caldwell and her five-piece band for the first of the three jam sessions this year.
After raising their ukuleles in salute and a quick stretch, the pupils got jamming as a collective.
Sawyers Bay School new entrant teacher Hilary Campbell said the year 3 and 4 pupils with her would practise playing ukuleles every Tuesday during their lunchtime.
She said the jam was a "rich opportunity" for them to participate in such a large setting with Ms Caldwell and her band.
"It’s good for them to hear what the songs are about and a little about the composers from the experts."
Ms Campbell said she always encouraged her pupils to take opportunities to do something different and coming to the jam was inspiring for them.
She said along with learning how to play the ukulele, the Tuesday lunchtime sessions had inspired a culture of collaboration for the pupils because they played with their peers and other teachers.
Educators from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery outreach education programme were also helping pupils to create art inspired by their ukuleles at the jam.
All three jam sessions would have about 900 pupils participating and the next two were set to take place at Taieri College on October 18 and George Street School on November 3.
