Thursday nights – 6:00-8:00 – Carrington Bowling Club,Carrington
The WestNewkestra sessions started in March 2011, and have been going strong ever since. It was originally set up as a novitiates group but the attendees have been improving so much that it now caters for intermediate players. But we also, as always, welcome newer folk. Jane Jelbart runs this ukestra and she really likes to bring her acapella and singing passions into the class. Her ukulele tuition includes an emphasis on finger picking, vocal harmonies, and varied strum patterns. This group is even starting to read musical notation and ukulele tablature. For this ukestra we recommend that you know your strings (CGEA) your C scale and about 8 chords.
The Thursday night sessions are pretty rowdy and vibrant, with emphasis on instruction but also fun. We have a PA system that allows soloists and vocalists to be heard above the ukulele rabble. Our aim (as always) is to provide another relaxed evening opportunity for people, and to provide a ukestra which is more accessible to Newcastle’s western suburbs.
Jane has been playing ukulele for 8 years and now leads a couple of ukestras, teaches beginners sessions, and conducts ukestra performances. She also performs on uke (and banjo) in Jack n Jel.
All ukestra attendance is casual ($16.00) but you can also prepay and get the classes cheaper (10 classes $130). If you prepay for classes, you can attend any session at any time, no need to come every week. If you come to a second class within the same week we charge you only $10 for the second class.
The WestNewkstra group have been doing public performances since August 2011. As many diehard ukestrans will tell you, the ukestras are a wonderful experience of their own, but public performances are especially inspiring. All are welcome to join in and participate at whatever level they choose.
Contact Jane if you are interested in coming along, or just come and check us out on Thursday nights.