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Arcadia Academy of Music’s Uke-Club is a program that aims to showcase the ukulele in a group based setting. This program allows for younger or newer musicians an opportunity to learn a versatile instrument that has grown in popularity as of 2019. It will allow those who might not yet be ready for more demanding group activities such as Arcadia Rocks an opportunity to learn in a fun and welcoming environment. Even more experienced musicians can take this opportunity to develop mentorship and interpersonal skills amongst their peers.
The program will run throughout the year, depending on interest as well as for specific times such as Musicfest, or community events that require an ensemble of ukuleles to perform. Each program will last for 12 weeks, with group members meeting once a week for one hour.
If needed, students will be put through an audition process so that they can be grouped with students of the same skill level. Once they are placed, they will be matched with a ukulele instructor who has experience directing and teaching the instrument in a group based setting.
Uke-Club groups are required to work on three songs, with one of them being an original creation that the instructor will work alongside them. In special cases, groups may opt to only perform two, however one of them must be an original.
As of 2019, more and more schools are adopting the ukulele as the primary choice of musical instrument to teach younger generations. Its small frame, and ability to create clear, and melodic tones make it an accessible instrument for any student to learn. Despite this, the ukulele has a vast depth of musicality that is often left unexplored. Arcadia Academy of Music wishes to take the accessibility, and increasing popularity of the instrument and offer a guided group learning process that will showcase more of the instrument’s potential. Excitement, and the joy of learning a new instrument in a group based environment will be a cornerstone of the program, and will introduce musical concepts in an engaging way to students young and old.
The main musical concepts will include developing a musical ear for rhythm, harmonic and melodic contrast, as well as performance etiquette. Members will be exposed to a fun and open environment focused on the joy of learning music while learning the fundamentals of music. Instructors will find opportunities to create bonds between members, having young musicians mentor and learn from one another.
This program also offers a way to expose students to other instruments of the same family such as guitar, or bass. Many younger students who develop further interest in music can seamlessly transition from ukulele to any of the private lessons or other programs offered by our locations. It can also offer current students who may not yet be comfortable for the Arcadia Rocks program a more accessible option to perform in a group with other students.
While the Uke-Club shares a lot of similarities with the Arcadia Rocks Program, the key difference is that the Uke-Club is designed to be an entry point for younger musicians to learn music in a fun setting. Therefore showcasing should generally be more intimate, or in controlled scenarios such as the annual holiday concert.
