The Ukulele Hits DHS
NEIRAD enilno edition
My Dog Has Fleas. For most, the only significance of this phrase consists of a burden to a pet owner. However, this term has obtained a new meaning as an unusual instrument gains popularity: a pneumatic device for tuning the strings of one’s ukulele. In recent years, the ukulele has received an increasing amount of attention, and many say that this is due to the internet. YouTube videos and iPhone applications have allowed people to listen to famous ukulele groups such as the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and to learn for themselves how to play. Darien High School has followed suit by forming its own Ukulele Club in January of 2008. Run by DHS orchestra teacher, Jane Minnis, the Ukulele Club began when Darien resident Geoff Rezek donated 35 ukuleles to DHS. Playing the ukulele is a part of Darien’s elementary schools’ curriculum and Rezek wanted the program to continue to DHS. “His goal is to have one million people play ukuleles,” Minnis said.
Playing the ukulele was not only new to the students, but to Minnis as well. In the early weeks of the club Minnis decided to hire music teacher Pete Zaccagnino of Norwalk, to share his ukulele expertise with participating students. Zaccagnino, otherwise known as “Uncle Zac” to the club members, would meet with Minnis and the students on Thursday afternoons. “Pete comes with lots of tunes he can teach and we get to choose,” said Minnis. In 2008, the students performed “I Shot the Sherriff” and “Brown Eyed Girl” at DHS’s annual POPS concert and Art Festival. Practices begin in the spring in preparation for two performances at these two DHS events.
Returning member senior Allison Wetterauw plays the violin and Minnis confirmed her positive experience in the club saying, “Allison really took to the instrument.” Minnis and Wetterauw grew so fond over the ukulele that they took lessons together this past summer. “The ukulele has a flexibility and capability that the guitar doesn’t,” said Minnis. Senior Michael Sawitsky plays bass in the orchestra and tuba in the band and he admits that playing the ukulele is “a lot harder that the rest of my instruments. It’s more like a guitar.”
Most of the members of the Ukulele Club are involved in the music department. Minnis said, “It’s not an official club, it’s just something fun to do.” Sawitsky confirmed that the club is “fun and really well organized, it’s just not promoted very well.” There are no advertising or official announcements. However, some, like senior Alex Iqbal, have still heard positive things. “I have heard the club is really fun,” Iqbal, who plays the viola in the orchestra but is not a member of the Ukulele Club, said. She agreed that the club wasn’t advertised around the school, but just heard about through word of mouth throughout the F Building. “I’d love to have kids from outside the music department,” said Minnis. The group is looking for members of all grades and interests. Watch DHS’s talented ukulele players perform on May 6 at the POPS concert and Arts Festival later this spring.
