We were amazed so many people wanted to teach the ukulele (From Worcester News)

We were amazed so many people wanted to teach the ukulele

11:40am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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UKULELES and banjos are proving surprising popular in Worcester.

When the Elgar School of Music appealed for a ukulele or banjo teacher in the pages of this newspaper last month, they were not expecting a big response. But, much to the delight of staff, they have been inundated with offers and requests for more information.

“We have been absolutely amazed and delighted by the response to the article,” said Gill Lumsdon, principal of the highly regarded school in Deansway, Worcester.

“Potential teachers from all over the Midlands have been in touch and we have been learning a lot about ukuleles and banjos – rapidly becoming experts in the variety of different instruments these names cover.”

The response was so positive that the school, probably better known for teaching classical music, is able to offer individual tuition for ukulele and banjo players, a weekly ukulele club for children and adults and a one-off ukulele workshop, to be held in May.

“Perhaps we can discover a new George Formby,” said Mrs Lumsdon.

The all-day workshop for complete beginners will take place at the school on Saturday, May 15. It will be run by Steven Sproat, a ukulele teacher who numbers actor Sir Tom Courtney, comic Harry Hill and TV presenter Nicky Campbell among his celebrity pupils.

Despite falling in and out of fashion with the public, ukuleles have remained popular with musicians. Beatle George Harrison was an enthusiastic player and it is the preferred instrument of the tongue-in-cheek Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Lancastrian entertainer George Formby found fame strumming The Window Cleaner song on his banjolele – a cross between a banjo and a ukulele.

For more information about lessons and workshops at the Elgar School of Music, call 01905 28613, e-mail enquiries@elgar school ofmusic.co.uk or visit elgar schoolofmusic.co.uk.

Elsewhere, the Severnside Ukulele Strummers Association, which meets at St George’s Social Club, Kidderminster, every Thursday, is believed to be one of the UK’s longest-running ukulele clubs, with up to 30 members regularly turning up to play the instrument and sing songs together.