Request for support: Ukulele Fundraising
About Uke’an Be Happy
Uke'an Be Happy currently offers musical enrichment classes at the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club through ukulele instruction. The program was founded in January, 2016 by Caroline Olsen who is currently a senior at Cardinal Newman High School. Using ukuleles that had been donated to the Windsor Boys & Girls Club, Caroline taught ukulele lessons beginning in the Boys & Girls Club's 3rd Quarter. Over the course of her 5 week session with 1 hour lessons, she introduced the ukulele to over 15 young people (ages 7-11) and by the end of the session, a majority of the Club Members receiving instruction could: identify the parts of the ukulele, play at least 2 chords, strum in unison, sing while strumming, and play a melody.
In the spring, she taught another 5 week session leading up to a performance during the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club annual Youth of the Year Recognition event. Some Club Members would arrive early, stay late, and even finish their homework early just to practice for the big performance at the end of the year. On the night of the performance, 10 Club Members performed the Star Wars melody and You Are My Sunshine in front of an audience of 250 people. To date, about 40 members have participated in the program.
Due to a lack of time and money, music programs are among the first to be cut from California elementary schools’ curriculums. Annual student survey results reflect a desire for increased enrichment programming with arts and music activities topping the list. In Healdsburg, with only superficial music activities offered in the classroom, most of the children in grades K - 2 have very little access to a robust music education. Outside of the classroom, music lessons can cost between $20 - $40 per half hour. With nearly 2 of every 3 Sonoma County children considered economically disadvantaged, access to instruments and music instruction are all too frequently insurmountable obstacles in achieving some level of musical proficiency.
This means a majority of the youth in Sonoma County are missing out on the benefits of learning an instrument including:
For the 78% of English Language Learners in Sonoma County, 44% of whom are not expected to graduate from high school, learning songs on the ukulele makes for effective after-school language practice. Between reading the music and reading the words of the songs, members’ language abilities increase which will inadvertently help them read and participate in school.
After-school participation in Uke’an Be Happy also helps to promote healthy relationships through collaborative music that brings members together in a new way. In Sonoma County, by 9th grade, nearly half of the youth in the county report having consumed alcohol or used drugs and 8% of 9th graders say they’re in a gang. By creating a musical outlet for the members of the Boys & Girls Club, Uke’an Be Happy helps the youth of the community to both make good choices and avoid risky behavior after school.
Though a small instrument, the ukulele offers a powerful solution to the lack of music education in Sonoma County. The ukulele is inexpensive, easy to handle, and even easier to learn, creating a point of pride for young people that are willing to practice and perform. Right now, the closest program to music education the Central Sonoma County Boys & Girls Clubs offer is iPad music. With the proposed “Ukulele Kits,” Boys & Girls Clubs would receive 10 ukuleles, 10 cases, and 2 tuners. The Uke’an Be Happy website will grant clubs easy access to lesson plans, sheet music, handouts, and links to instructional Youtube videos. Uke'an Be Happy offers the youth of Central Sonoma County not only a chance to learn an instrument, but a chance to be heard.
Program Costs
It costs $1500 for a Boys & Girls Club to receive a Ukulele Kit and implement Uke’an Be Happy for 8 weeks. Itemized program costs are outlined below.
Uke'an Be Happy currently offers musical enrichment classes at the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club through ukulele instruction. The program was founded in January, 2016 by Caroline Olsen who is currently a senior at Cardinal Newman High School. Using ukuleles that had been donated to the Windsor Boys & Girls Club, Caroline taught ukulele lessons beginning in the Boys & Girls Club's 3rd Quarter. Over the course of her 5 week session with 1 hour lessons, she introduced the ukulele to over 15 young people (ages 7-11) and by the end of the session, a majority of the Club Members receiving instruction could: identify the parts of the ukulele, play at least 2 chords, strum in unison, sing while strumming, and play a melody.
In the spring, she taught another 5 week session leading up to a performance during the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club annual Youth of the Year Recognition event. Some Club Members would arrive early, stay late, and even finish their homework early just to practice for the big performance at the end of the year. On the night of the performance, 10 Club Members performed the Star Wars melody and You Are My Sunshine in front of an audience of 250 people. To date, about 40 members have participated in the program.
Due to a lack of time and money, music programs are among the first to be cut from California elementary schools’ curriculums. Annual student survey results reflect a desire for increased enrichment programming with arts and music activities topping the list. In Healdsburg, with only superficial music activities offered in the classroom, most of the children in grades K - 2 have very little access to a robust music education. Outside of the classroom, music lessons can cost between $20 - $40 per half hour. With nearly 2 of every 3 Sonoma County children considered economically disadvantaged, access to instruments and music instruction are all too frequently insurmountable obstacles in achieving some level of musical proficiency.
This means a majority of the youth in Sonoma County are missing out on the benefits of learning an instrument including:
- Improved memory & social skills
- Stress relief & self-expression
- Increased confidence & creativity
- Enhanced listening skills, patience, & sharpened concentration
- A sense of achievement & happiness
For the 78% of English Language Learners in Sonoma County, 44% of whom are not expected to graduate from high school, learning songs on the ukulele makes for effective after-school language practice. Between reading the music and reading the words of the songs, members’ language abilities increase which will inadvertently help them read and participate in school.
After-school participation in Uke’an Be Happy also helps to promote healthy relationships through collaborative music that brings members together in a new way. In Sonoma County, by 9th grade, nearly half of the youth in the county report having consumed alcohol or used drugs and 8% of 9th graders say they’re in a gang. By creating a musical outlet for the members of the Boys & Girls Club, Uke’an Be Happy helps the youth of the community to both make good choices and avoid risky behavior after school.
Though a small instrument, the ukulele offers a powerful solution to the lack of music education in Sonoma County. The ukulele is inexpensive, easy to handle, and even easier to learn, creating a point of pride for young people that are willing to practice and perform. Right now, the closest program to music education the Central Sonoma County Boys & Girls Clubs offer is iPad music. With the proposed “Ukulele Kits,” Boys & Girls Clubs would receive 10 ukuleles, 10 cases, and 2 tuners. The Uke’an Be Happy website will grant clubs easy access to lesson plans, sheet music, handouts, and links to instructional Youtube videos. Uke'an Be Happy offers the youth of Central Sonoma County not only a chance to learn an instrument, but a chance to be heard.
Program Costs
It costs $1500 for a Boys & Girls Club to receive a Ukulele Kit and implement Uke’an Be Happy for 8 weeks. Itemized program costs are outlined below.
Conclusion
Just one “Ukulele Kit” & associated program costs gives 10 Club Members at a Boys & Girls Club the opportunity to learn a fun, lighthearted instrument and experience the many social and academic benefits of being a musician. With your help, 29 more Boys & Girls Clubs in Central Sonoma Country could offer this program -- giving up to 3,000 kids access to Uke’an Be Happy.
Please support this Boys & Girls Club program because Uke'an Make a Difference.
Just one “Ukulele Kit” & associated program costs gives 10 Club Members at a Boys & Girls Club the opportunity to learn a fun, lighthearted instrument and experience the many social and academic benefits of being a musician. With your help, 29 more Boys & Girls Clubs in Central Sonoma Country could offer this program -- giving up to 3,000 kids access to Uke’an Be Happy.
Please support this Boys & Girls Club program because Uke'an Make a Difference.
