University News
Ukulele University: Program That Offers Ukulele Lessons at Horn Field Campus Lodge March 28 and April 18
March 24, 2010
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's department of recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA) and Horn Field Campus are bringing the beauty of the music from the Hawaiian Islands to Macomb via Ukulele University. According to RPTA Professor Michael McGowan, Ukulele University is a program comprised of two workshops, with the first one (UKE 101) slated from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 28 at the Horn Field Campus (HFC) Lodge and the second one (UKE 102) scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 18, also at the HFC Lodge.
"UKE 101 is designed for those who have no experience with the ukulele and introduces the basics, including tuning, basic chords, basic strumming techniques and songs," McGowan explained. "UKE 102 begins where UKE 101 left off, with more chords, advanced strumming techniques and songs."
According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the ukulele is of Portuguese origin and was popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s. While many may associate the ukulele with Hawaiian musician Don Ho and his famous song "Tiny Bubbles," the four-string, guitar-like instrument can be played to accommodate complex musical arrangements, as demonstrated by Kalei Gamiao, a musician from Haleiwa, Hawaii. (See Gamiao perform with the ukulele on his YouTube channel at youtube.com/KaleiGamiao.)
Advanced registration for each Ukulele University workshop is required; interested individuals can register by contacting the RPTA department at (309) 298-2026. The registration fee for each workshop is $5, and ukuleles are provided for the first 11 participants who enroll. If you have your own or can borrow a ukulele, you may also register for the workshops.
For more information, contact McGowan at ML-McGowan@wiu.edu or Horn Field Campus at HF-Campus@wiu.edu.
HFC is located south of Macomb on China Road. From South Johnson Street (past Macomb High School), turn right on China Road and follow the road one-quarter of a mile to the Horn Field Campus entrance. Parking is permitted on the HFC lot. Visit HFC online at wiu.edu/RPTA/HFC.
Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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