Strumming good fun

Getting ready for this week’s Alexandra Primary schools’ Kiwilele Ukulele Jam are St Gerard’s School pupils (back from left) Ellie Lanham, Molly Donaldson, both 10, and Sidney Corder, 8. In front are Albert Joseph (left) and Lucy Lake, both 8. PHOTO: JULIE ASHER

Organiser Liz Conway said the Kiwilele Ukulele Jam was a chance for the children to play together, just as they were.

Some were more experienced than others but that did not matter, Mrs Conway said.

There was no audience so there was no sense of being on show but an encouraging atmosphere led by the band made up of parents of the strummers.

At St Gerard’s during an lunchtime practice, pupils were enthusiastic about the class set of brightly coloured instruments they had been given by the New Zealand Ukulele Trust.

Mrs Conway said this year the Kiwilele Ukulele Jam, which was supported by the NZ Ukulele Trust and Central Lakes Trust, included all Alexandra primary schools and Clyde Primary School, in two sessions.

Last year was the first time the jam was held in Alexandra and it included pupils from St Gerard’s and Alexandra Primary.

This year Terrace and Clyde Primary Schools joined the fun.