The school term is set to end on a high note in Hampshire as a bid to secure the world record for the largest ukulele ensemble is made.
Hampshire Music Hub – a partnership led by Hampshire County Council’s Music Service – is appealing for more than 2,000 players to join the extravaganza and sing and strum their way into the record books in July.
Ukukele players of all ages and abilities are invited to sign up for the event taking place at Southampton Football Club on 18 July, from 1.30 – 3pm.
Hampshire Music Hub wants to beat the current record of 2134 participants in a ukulele ensemble, set during the Leiland Grow Incorporated Ukulele Picnic at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse in Kanagawa, Japan in 2012.
Leading the record attempt will be Cbeebies’ actor and entertainer, Justin Fletcher MBE.
Jill Larner, Head of Hampshire Music Service, commented: “We have found that the ukulele is very popular in whole class or group settings so we thought that aiming for a World Record would be a good way to motivate learning and to end the school year. A planned series of learning leading up to the event is in full swing and we hope to stage other ukulele ensembles after this world record attempt.“
“This will be a spectacular event that will enable hundreds of children to play and sing together in an atmospheric venue. Support from other ukulele players will be invaluable if we are to achieve the world record. Led by our Cbeebies superstar guest I’m sure it will be an unforgettable opportunity to make history and bring the record to Hampshire.“
Entry is £6 (£3 for concessions) with charges contributing to cover the cost of the venue hire. Tickets must be ordered by 1 June, by contacting Hampshire Music Service on 023 8065 2037 or email music.service@hants.gov.uk
Councillor Keith Mans, Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services at Hampshire County Council, said: “The ukulele is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, with a growing number of people taking up this instrument. If you’re one of them, please join us. Apart from anything else, it promises to be enormous fun and could leave you with a record breaking claim to fame with a certificate for you to keep to mark the occasion!”
The Hampshire Music Hub is one of a national network of innovative music education hubs established by the Arts Council in 2012, as part of the Government’s re-organisation of music education across the country. Hampshire’s Hub not only provides children with access to high quality musical education but also to a range of opportunities to participate in large scale, high profile performing arts events. The hub also provides development opportunities and training for school staff in a bid to widen participation in the arts.
The Music Hub has the backing of famed composer and leading impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber who agreed to be its champion, a role similar to that of a Patron in a charitable organisation.