City guitarists to play with ukulele group

VW independent/submitted information

A number of local guitarists will be playing with the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra when it performs in Van Wert next month.

Vancrest Health Care Centers is helping sponsor the unique musical ensemble at the NPAC, starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3. This outgoing group of talented ukulele players from New Zealand will bring its charm to the Niswonger stage, as well as provide a unique experience for some Van Wert sixth graders.

Van Wert City Schools music teacher Tina Decker and her sixth grade guitar students are in the process of preparing for a night they’ll never forget. Each of her students is training to transfer their knowledge and skill of their favorite six-stringed instrument to a similar, albeit smaller, instrument: the ukulele. These students will be joining The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra onstage to collaborate on some of America’s biggest pop hits. The process is long, but the kids sure are having fun and are plenty excited to perform for their friends and family. Who wouldn’t be excited to perform at the Niswonger?

“We have found that learning the ukulele has some similarities, yet so many differences from the full sized classical guitar,” says Decker, “and the students really enjoy the size of the instrument.”

As it turns out, this has been a whole new adventure for the guitar teacher as well.

“This is my first experience with the ukulele, and I’m certainly having as much fun learning as the kids,” Decker said.

The VWCS student performance is in collaboration with the group’s community outreach program and each student gets to take home a ukulele after the concert. The participating sixth grade guitar students include Christian Adams, Aubree Baer, Natalie Benner, KeAndre Blythe, Trinity Goins, Joshua Haines, Nathan Jackson, Trey Laudick, Emma McGuire, Sam Moonshower, Corbin Pfau, Jaryn Pierce, Deledia Quiroz, and Jacob Sealscott.

Tickets are still available for the event, beginning at just $20 through the Niswonger Box office: 419.238.NPAC or at NPACVW.ORG. The Niswonger is located at 10700 Ohio 118 on the south edge Van Wert.