Greytown Arts Festival

As you well know, the Ukulele Orchestra played at the Greytown Arts Festival.  The weather was appaulling, but the crowds still came to listen to the groovy tunes.  We had an awesome turnout, and a crowd ready to sing along.

We even had an encore!  That is truly hitting the big leagues.

Shortly I will post a couple of the songs we played on Youtube and link them to here.  In the mean time, think about this..... maybe you too could join the KC Uke Orch?  Ukuleles start at about $30, which makes them fantastic value as an instrument.  They are also rated as one of the easiest instruments to play.  Our orchestra has all kinds of people with levels of interest and talent, from those lacking both, to having both in screeds.  As well as learning an instrument, it is a great way of getting to know some awesome people.  We had the chance to hang out backstage with the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra- and it was AMAZING--- we too shall be that cool eventually.

So, school is back next week.  Seniors, re-enrole on Friday.  And do this ESPECIALLY if you are an Arts student.  A number of senior Arts subjects are timetabled at the same time, so you will need to check up on your timetable and sweet-talk your teachers if there is a clash.

Ukulele Update!!!

So, if you read the Wairarapa Times Age, you would have seen some of the Ukulele ensemble on the cover the other day. 

If not, you can see the real thing on Saturday.

We will be hitting the main stage at the Greytown Arts Festival at 3pm, for a sing and play along (if you bring your ukulele).

It is not too late to join the band!  If you show up to the rehearsal in the School Music room at 11am on Saturday, you will get a chance to play along with us in style.  Remember to wear bright colours....

Our playlist includes:
Haere Mai
I'm Yours
Sailing
Slice of Heaven
When I'm 64
Tree Hugger
10 Guitars
Loyal
And the goodnight kiwi song.

We will be playing up to 17 songs.... do not miss this once on Saturday event.... as the price is right (FREE) as a warm-up to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra performance in the evening which has now sold out.

Ukulele Orchestra-ing

Right, as you all should know, the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is the key act of the Greytown Arts Festival this coming year.  As you may not know, we are providing a ukulele warm-up act.  Excellent!

As you will know if you have seen our Ukulele Orchestra perform, we are all about a full musical experience, with guitars, mandolin, kazoo and even the odd wooden block.  Totally awesome, complete with mime.  All previous, past and future members of the orchestra are invited to perform with us on January 23 2010 at 3pm in front of the Greytown Town Hall.

We will be holding 2 rehearsals prior to the event, on Saturday 16th at 11am and Wednesday 20th at 7pm at Kuranui.  If you have instrument, come along.  All instruments welcome!  Including ukuleles.  We would love to see as many people as possible.

Junior Prizegiving

Congratulations to all prizewinners and graduates from the Junior College. Particular congratulations need to go to Kaden Saywell, Drama award winner and lead in the major school production, Jan Meyer for receiving the Drama award at Year 10, and to both Sian Dunlop and Amanda Trass for their Excellence awards as well as outstanding work ethic. To the performers, well done! Aaron van Zanten, Finn Harmon and Phillip Penney did a great rendition of "Numb" by Linkin Park, and Zoe Renor, who sang, "Reflections" from Mulan. It was a terrific morning, and great to see so many talented students gaining recognition for their hard work this year.

This does signal the end of the Arts at KC for some time. However, during the Greytown Arts Festival, the College is playing home to the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, who will be performing on the 23rd of January. Watch out for a Ukulele gathering in the town, and the members of the KC Uke Orch who should be present.

School begins again in February, though staff will be onsight from mid-January. We should have the details of Stage Challenge, Rockquest and the Shakespearean Competition early in term 1, 2010. Have a great break, and be prepared for a busy 2010!

Music Camp

During the Junior Activities programme, Ms Webster ran a 2 day Music camp. Here we had a chance to play with new people, try new instruments and perform for others. We took the opportunity to put together a small band, with ukuleles, guitars, percussion and a kazzoo and travel to the Palliser Rest Home, where we entertained the residents. It was so
much fun! The students had a blast and were terrific representatives of the school. It was lovely to hear the audience singing along.

Next year we will try to arrange an over-night Arts camp and concert, and we will have to go back to Palliser again soon.

Pictures will soon accompany this site.