tubupfb • The Utterly Butterly Ukulele Project

Dragon School, Oxford

“It just takes an empty butter tub, some fishing line and a few pieces of wood to make an authentic-sounding ukulele, as Year 4 pupils found out on Thursday 7th November. In a workshop led by three Hawaiian-shirted helpers from the Utterly Butterly Ukulele project – ‘Prof’, ‘Toff’ and ‘Nutter’, the children made their own instruments from entirely recycled materials, tuned them and customised them, before spending some time learning how to play some useful chords. By the afternoon, they were ready to perform live in front of an audience in the main school hall.
Familiar songs such as ‘In the Jungle’ were played alongside specially-composed numbers including ‘The Utterly Butterly Ukulele Song’ and ‘Blow Your Bubble,’ which had the ukulele-players singing and strumming away happily while the audience clapped them along. Another performance of the hand-made ukuleles can be expected at the End of Term concert.”

The Field Family Festival, Corby

“Well done! Today was a very nice day with my mum we wear a exelent team together Loved it – great fun Fantastic! Very Musical. Really Enjoyable. Rock on! Excellent Great fun, learning how to make a musical instrument – Tutor’s made it so easy, with musical fun. Well planned. Fantastic fun Fantastic, great fun, and creative. Loved it. Fantastic, Kids loved it Today’s activity ukulele building and playing was just absolutely incredible. So simple but effective. Steve & Nick were utterly butterly brilliant. Really hope to see these 2 guys back in Corby again. Everybody young and old should see these two. Fun, great way to get kids out of the house It was very fun Fantastic 4 year old nephew thoroughly enjoyed the event and was very engaging. GREAT! Such good fun Absolutely briliant, got the children involved, very informative It’s nice that I liked it I liked it, fantastic Excellent All right It’s great Very good Brilliant for different ages to get involved My daughters really enjoyed taking part in this activity. Really interactive and friendly. Brilliant. Very team building. Brilliant. Amazing Brilliant Brilliant Very good tutors, great evening”

Marian Anderson, Made in Corby

“The evaluation report is brilliant….and the whole project was a masterclass in audience development. This project made so many people smile and laugh and gave people a confidence about being creative – it was really great to see! It definitely helped tremendously in the success of the final festival event. I even learned some new songs!”

Ian, Active Arts

“What a blast. You were a sensation and Blaby is still ringing to the sound of Ukuleles. One little girl insisted on taking hers back to playgroup on Monday, for show and tell. Mum said it hadn’t left her sight since making it on Saturday morning. A duet was heard in Waitrose, which confused the shoppers somewhat. Many thanks, look forward to working with you again”

Charlotte Krzanicki, Deputy Head (primary)

“The children had a fantastic time making and playing their Ukuleles made out of a margarine tub!. They will be taking them with them to the Food and Farming Day on 5th July at the big concert at the East of England Showground. we look forward to hearing that!”

Kerry Watkins

“Thank you for giving the children at Stourfield Jnrs such a fantastic week. The concert on friday was fab and my son has said it was one of his favourite school experiences. The ukelele has pride of place at home – only downside is I can’t get the song out of my head – Brilliant”

Claire Butter

“Well lads, what an eventful few days the children at Otterham CP School have had with you. Not only did we have the pleasure of making ukuleles, but to be able to perform in front of Prince Charles at Dairycrest, Davidstow was truly amazing! You were really fantastic with the children and a great bunch to work with.”

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