Ukulele Player Performs for College Grove Elementary

Published March 5, 2019

Fifth grade students at College Grove Elementary are learning about music, this time in the form of a special performance.

On February 28, international ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro allowed students to attend a sound check at the Franklin Theatre. Two years ago, Shimabukuro’s manager worked with WCS to get more than 100 ukuleles donated to various schools, including College Grove Elementary.

“For the past three years, fifth graders at College Grove Elementary School have performed the ukulele as part of their music curriculum,” said CGES music teacher Angela Hix. “In the past, the fifth graders have performed at their promotion ceremony to share what they learned in music class. This year, the College Grove Ukulele Ensemble will be performing for the first time at the WCS Fine Arts Festival.”

After seeing videos and learning about Shimabukuro, the students were eager to hear him in-person.

“Throughout the performance, the students’ look of amazement was priceless,” Hix said. “This was a very special opportunity for them to see a world-renowned musician perform on an instrument they have been learning to play since the beginning of the school year.”