SHOWTIME
|
BY MELISSA MENDONCA
T H E U K U L E L E P R O G A M AT LASSEN VIEW SCHOOL
Photo courtesy of Kim Hickok
AMID THE CHORUS of young voices in the hallways of Lassen View School in Dairyville, there is often a bright and joyous sound of ukulele. A sixth-grader may be strumming a traditional Hawaiian tune, another may be in a different hallway plucking out a favorite pop song. Yet another may be refining an original score. “Ukulele can be heard all around the campus on many different occasions,” says music specialist Kim Hickok. “And it always brings a smile. It’s just so positive. It’s a happy thing.” The sixth-grade ukulele program at Lassen View has become one of the most popular offerings on campus, and is helping Hickok prove the point that every child is a musician. “Having those ukuleles has just opened up a floodgate at our school,” she says. “If someone could walk into the music room and see the joy and smiles on the faces.” Hickok, in her 16th year at the school, added music to her schedule of teaching seventh- and eighth-grade language arts and social studies four years ago when it became clear the school might lose its beloved music program. A 38-year veteran music teacher retired and the district struggled to fill the position on a part-time basis. “I’m a lifelong musician and I had the inspiration, with the help of my husband, to think that I could help out in this position,” she says. She began working toward the additional teaching credential needed and started thinking about how to revitalize the program. “I was looking for something to appeal to the older kids I teach, kids who might not be in band,” she says. “I chose it because I knew it was something everyone could have some success with. Ukulele is extremely popular.” The dedication that has developed around the instrument is proof. “The kids really crave it,” says Hickok. “They come in to practice at lunch. They want to take it home to practice.” More than a few students have received ukuleles for Christmas and birthday presents. One student got his dad hooked on playing. “It has become a little subculture within our music program,” she adds. A group has formed calling itself the Uke Jammers, and it performs for classrooms and at the annual Dairyville Orchard Festival, with the hope of adding more community performances.4 continued on page 32
IT’S A HAPPY THING” MARCH 2020
www.EnjoyMagazine.com
|
31
