Sing and Strum: The Ukulele Service Project

Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, undergraduate music education students and members of the UF CNAfME chapter implemented ukulele-based music enrichment classes with children in grades 1st through 8th on a biweekly basis at the Southeast Alachua County Boys and Girls Club. The project, titled “Sing and Strum: The Ukulele Service Project,” was initially developed and implemented by the UF chapter of the National Association of Music Education (CNAfME) immediate past-president and senior music education major Dominique Baeta. With the help of UF CNAfME immediate past-treasurer and senior music education major Rachel Stern, the students were able to secure a grant from the Collegiate Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) Board to purchase 24 soprano ukuleles for use in the project. Dr. Megan Sheridan, assistant professor of music education, advised and oversaw the project. The UF CNAfME chapter was recognized by the Collegiate FMEA Board at the 2018 FMEA Conference for their work on the project. The students plan to continue their work with the community for the next academic year.