About 150 pupils from Alexandra Primary School and St Gerard’s took part in the town’s first Kiwilele Ukulele Jam — showcasing ukulele skills they had learnt over the past term.
Organiser and music teacher Liz Conway said she was thrilled with how the event came together.
"[The pupils] loved it — they were really excited."
The event was a jam, rather than a performance, she said.
"There wasn’t any pressure for perfection — it was just to come and have a musical experience."
"How can we get really accessible songs for these kids that are simple enough that they can play along with?"
As the pupils learnt the ukulele, musically talented pupils took up leadership roles by helping others, Mrs Conway said.
"Most kids were starting from nothing."
Ukuleles were an accessible instrument the pupils were confident using — even the most inexperienced player could produce a pleasing noise, Mrs Conway said.
"It ticks a lot of boxes with different learning styles."
"They’re an instrument you can pick and play and make a nice sound ... Even if they’re not pressing the right strings ... they’re still part of it."
