TRANSFORMING popular tunes into four-string-friendly arrangements comes easily to Peter Gavin and the Bendigo Uke Group.<\/p>\n
He said the company plays music for all skill levels and they\u2019re hoping to increase membership after numbers fell during COVID-19 lockdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore 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\u2019t been able to break back in past 10,\u201d Gavin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than it just be a strum group which a lot of ukulele groups are\u2026 I make arrangements that include everybody from beginners right up to skilled individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people in the group don\u2019t necessarily have to be great players but you can still make great music as a collective if everybody\u2019s got a simple part.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome music just screams out,\u201d Gavin said. \u201cI find that very gratifying, trying to squeeze it into such a small sonic range and still not conflict or get buried.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did one on the 60s that was successful and at the end of it we did a performance at the Blues and Roots Festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019ve never held a ukulele before or you consider yourself a seasoned pro, Gavin welcomed anyone to the community music group.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get together, you have a play and a laugh,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019d be surprised how familiar you\u2019d get with it really quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n