Making uke music magic

TRANSFORMING popular tunes into four-string-friendly arrangements comes easily to Peter Gavin and the Bendigo Uke Group.

He said the company plays music for all skill levels and they’re hoping to increase membership after numbers fell during COVID-19 lockdowns.

“Before COVID we had probably 30 to 40 people regularly come. When COVID started to relax and we could do it again we were limited to 10 and we really haven’t been able to break back in past 10,” Gavin said.

“Rather than it just be a strum group which a lot of ukulele groups are… I make arrangements that include everybody from beginners right up to skilled individuals.

“The people in the group don’t necessarily have to be great players but you can still make great music as a collective if everybody’s got a simple part.”

The group rehearses at the Old Church on the Hill and each term selects a particular genre, album or artist to master, presenting their newly learned numbers in an end of term performance.

“Some music just screams out,” Gavin said. “I find that very gratifying, trying to squeeze it into such a small sonic range and still not conflict or get buried.

“We did one on the 60s that was successful and at the end of it we did a performance at the Blues and Roots Festival.

“Everyone came dressed up in their favourite 60s gear which was unreal, and the audience just loved it and they sang along with all their favourite 60s tunes.”

The group has also taken on The Beatles and Johnny Cash, and Gavin said he was in the process of arranging a big band piece.

Whether you’ve never held a ukulele before or you consider yourself a seasoned pro, Gavin welcomed anyone to the community music group.

“You get together, you have a play and a laugh,” he said. “You’d be surprised how familiar you’d get with it really quickly.”

For more information visit bendigoukegroup.com.