Ukulele Big Band!
Band Leader – James Hill
That’s right, ukulele big band. It’s time to take a full-blown hip-shakin’ big-band swing arrangement and give it a ukulele makeover! All sizes of ukulele are welcome (baritone ukes will have to use a capo). You should have some experience reading music notation or TAB (both will be provided). If you’ve always wanted to experience the thrill of playing in a swing orchestra, now’s your chance. A-one, a-two, a-one, two, three, four…
(Please make sure you’re fluent with the C scale and are comfortable reading music notation or TAB – both will be provided).
Ukulele Symphony Orchestra
Band Leader – James Hill
What do Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi and Mendelssohn have in common? Their music sounds beautiful on ukulele, of course! This is your chance to experience the music of the masters on the instrument of the angels. Please make sure you’re fluent with the C scale and are comfortable reading music notation or TAB (both will be provided). Get ready for Ukulele Symphony Orchestra: the beauty, the drama and the fun of classical music brought to life!
Pop Arrangements for Ukulele
Band Leader – Brook Adams
We will play and sing music of the 20th century, Soul, Jazz, Pop and Rock.
We will invent layered arrangements and all kind of trickery to make it sound full and interesting. Skill level 2-4. Level 2 players might want to talk to me about it. Pre-requisites: Should be able to read tablature. Level 3-4 should be comfortable with moveable chords. And all should be willing to sing (skill optional).
Jugless Ukulele Jugband/Skiffle Orchestra (includes but doesn’t require a jug)
Orchestra leader – Del Rey
Called Jugband in the ’20s and ’30s and Skiffle in the 50s, this is popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, often using homemade or improvised instruments (so says Wikipedia!) This orchestra will have 5 parts, accommodating a variety of skill levels, as we try to use the uke to re-create the sounds of the great jugbands. If you have a banjo or resonator uke, this is your happy place, but all ukes are invited. Also jug, kazoo, horns, suitcase percussion, washboard. We learn by ear in this class – no charts, no tablature. Our aim is to induce dancing, strutting and general wahoo. Songs will be posted a few weeks before class so you can listen to the tunes ahead of time.
Old Time Ukulele Stringband
Band Leaders – Jere and Greg Canote
We’ll explore the compelling Appalachian melodies and harmonies that can be played using the thumbpicking, clawhammer, and flatpicking techniques. We’ll also study essential back-up strums and fingerpicking patterns that emphasize the offbeat and a steady rhythm. Then we’ll build arrangements that highlight the fun and simple beauty of old time stringband tunes and songs, including sung verses and choruses, and instrumental breaks. The general prerequisites of open chord changes apply to this class. These song often have three chords.
