Research shows that music education equips youth with foundational skills to learn, bolsters youth engagement and achievement, and develops abilities essential for lifelong success (Music Matters: How Music Education Helps Students Learn, Achieve and Succeed, Denver, CO, May, 2018).

4-H youth development specialist in the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service facilitated  a virtual ukulele club to provide music appreciation and education to young people who were isolated and needing an artistic outlet during the pandemic.  

Forty youth ages 9-17 participated in nine virtual meetings.  4-H’ers learned the basics of the ukulele, including the parts, history, how to properly hold the instrument, strumming and different chords. 4-H’ers submitted songs they wanted to learn.  By the end of the second meeting, 4-H’ers were playing “You are My Sunshine.” They also learned to play “Best Day of My Life” by the time the club ended. 

An end of club evaluation showed that some members were able to identify the parts of the ukulele, have increased their skills in expressive arts, and have used what they have learned to contribute to their community.  

One member stated that the biggest thing they got from the club was learning how to play the ukulele and they can now play many more songs and learned other chords on their own. 

Another member was interviewed and had this to say about the impact:

“Joining this club revived my interest for the ukulele,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it so much. This has led me to join a guitar class as an elective in middle school.” 

“My interest in art, plus interest in my ukulele and music have made me interested in becoming a recreational therapist,” said Leger, who is legally blind. “I want to help kids who have disabilities, like me with my sight, grow with music, art and things that I enjoy.”