Welcome to the Rehearsals and Repertoire page for our Ukastle Ukestra performances at the Newkulele Festival 2026 and CCUF 2026

Ukastle Ukestra Gig time 4-4.30pm @ The Diggers at The Entrance

CCUF 2026 Repertoire

Videos

Instructional Videos

Instructional videos can be found here under Jane’s YOUTUBE account.

There are 18 of them, and Jane uses a different hat for each song……yes she was going crazy by the end of recording! If the link doesn’t work for you then-

YOUTUBE Jane Jelbart @janejelbart6264. Go to her “shorts” or instructional videos.

Rehearsal Videos

Rehearsal #5 – Sunday 16 August 2026 – Carro Bowlo

Here’s the link to the final rehearsals. It is a youtube playlist.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ below here are old rehearsal videos. The arrangements may have changed. But I’m a hoarder, I can’t delete history!

Rehearsal #1 – 12 July 2026 – Carro Bowlo

On our drive to and from Victoria, we relistened to this rough first rehearsal. We sound quite good for a first one! Below each video are some notes. Please peruse and practice!

1. Undressed

Notes

We need more people on Riff #2 – please practice!
We are wondering on whether to have another harmoniser in addition to Jo.
Everyone can sing the chorus
Shaz seems to be accidentally singing harmony in part of the bridge. Have a listen to the original and try to stick to the melody.
The final chorus will be Acapella with everyone, followed by a strong riff #2 & #1 and finish.

2. You were meant for me

Notes

We need to be careful of the emphasis and timing of the riff vs. the lead vocal.
There is something not quite jelling between the drums and the riffs. The feel is sorta out, a tension between swung and straight. Our playing of the riff is different to original. Perhaps the riff is too staccato, and/or we need to pause before last note of riff.
Needs a couple of backing singers (Jess? Kris?)
Pay no attention to Jane’s singing. It’s a bit off at times.
There is no riff under the D chord
Perhaps reduce the number of people playing the riff during singing
Remember, Single Chord Thumb Strums are always correct. Don’t overplay.

3. Hey Ya

Notes

Everyone sings the chorus – HEY YA!!!
Singer needs to turn up their volume (take that how you want Loz, but a bit more ‘assertiveness’ in your delivery would serve the song better)
Bec/Crowley to write a rap – we will all have responses

4. Buzzcut Season

Notes

Emphasis on the G chord (blum blum blum) needs to be emphasised consistently (on both ukes and drum)
Cathy needs to consolidate her vocal (but she knew that). Perhaps less emphasis on vocal gymnastics and squeak. But you do have a lot on your plate at the moment. Please let your Sydney friends know that Cathy is an unspeakably good performer, and is appearing at the Sydney Fringe in late August.
Off beats on ukes on chorus and pre-chorus needs to be more solid.
We need to clarify and consolidate the backing vs lead vocals, particularly in the chorus.

5. Someday

Notes

Rhythm needs to push more, probably on the ukes.
There are bugger all people playing riffs in Part B – if a few more of you can get across that, it’d be much better.
The second time around is better rhythm
Don’t forget you can do an E6 (straight across the 4th fret) instead of an E (unspeakably awkward)
The ending is one beat on the A
Cut back to JUST bass and drums half way through song for 4 bars

6. Hoochie Coochie

a. Most of the song of Hoochie Coochie

Notes

This will be the crazy last song of the festival. We will invite other instruments from across all the workshops to join in (might have to leave on marimba out and ready). It’s a blues, so eminently jammable.
This doesn’t mean that the lead singers won’t feature, nor does it mean that we, as professional ukestrans can slack off. We need to solidly hold down the stop time rhythm.
Renee. Make up more shit. Be assertive. Own the song. More hands movements!
The solo should have saxophone, harmonica and Craig.
The very ending will be drawn out – we need to work on this a little. It’ll probably involve some sort of disagreement between Mark and Jane. Who will win? Spain or Argentina?!

b. Hoochie Coochie – Just the ending

7. It Must Be Love

Notes

This song needs work, but we are confident we can pull it off.
Clare needs to put in emphases, particularly for the second time through (at least that’s my interpretation of the sparse notes from the car journey).
Nees a saxophone solo
We fixed up the ending (see second video)
Single Chord Thumb Strums – always good. But we need people on riffs (competently)
Make ending different? Difference of opinion between m and j

A stuff up – the ending again of It Must Be Love

8. Chandelier

Vocalist phrasing needs to be confirmed
2 beats in post chorus (what does this mean?)
Chorus. Ukuleles need more emphasis on Jane’s claps
Post chorus to be sung by choir. Will allow Jo to improvise. Same on second pre chorus

9. I don’t want to be with nobody but you

Single Chord Thumb Strums (SCTS) and arpeggio on all verses.
We’ll limit the chunk to just a few people or just the drum
“You can call on me” just SCTS
We need to confirm everyone’s participation on the “Yes! Yes!”.

10. Burning Love

Notes

Ukes need to strengthen the blues riff. Practise! It’s not hard, and can serve you well in future songs. Can be emphasised by the saxophone.
Everyone ooh on the chorus/bridge. Half of the ukestrans could join in with the vocals
Needs a harmony singer on Verse 2
We might bung in a saxophone solo and drop a sung verse. (Less memory work for you Craig!)

Here’s a link to the Playlist for Rehearsal #3 videos.

Videos of past performances or original versions

Chandelier

This is a version that we did in 2018 at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival. Jane reckons it’s faster than we’d do it today.

Buzzcut Season

Here’s a version we did at the 2016 BMUF.