JAY — Jay Elementary School fourth-graders have developed skills with strumming a certain four-stringed instrument.
During a performance this week, parents and other attendees heard students play the ukulele, covering songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and The Beatles.
WATCH: Video of Jay Elementary students performing at Ukulele concert>
The event was six months in the making, with as much practice for preparation.
Learning to play the instrument is part of the school’s newly implemented science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, or STEAM, curriculum.
GALLERY: Photos from the Ukulele concert at Jay Elementary School>
“With engineering, they are writing their own songs; with science, you having to pull things together from scratch and try it out and, if it doesn’t work, try it again,” music teacher Kristi White said.
WATCH: Video of Jay students cover 'Eleanor Rigby' by The Beatles during concert>
So, why the ukulele?
Well, it’s fresh to the students, White said. “Recorders,” on the other hand, “have been done … and over-done.”
Principal Kelly Allen-Short hopes student involvement with music will benefit other school curricula.
“Some of these kids may not be as successful in the classroom academically, but they have tasted what it feels like to work hard and do something they are proud of — and hopefully that is something they will remember,” she said.
White said she sees positive effects from the lessons.
“I am already starting to see it, especially with the way they carry themselves,” White said. “Now you can see them walking around with pride and a sense of accomplishment; they did something they did not think they could do.”
White hopes to further expand the school’s art program.
“I would like to move on to the violin and, in the future, come up with a string orchestra,” she said. “There is so much potential at this school.”
Those who wish to donate to Jay’s music program can visit www.donorschoose.org/KristiWhite.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay teacher eyes music program’s expansion (VIDEO, PHOTOS)