Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta forms ukulele choir
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MARIETTA -- Pastor Don Archer wants to bring a taste of Hawaii to the Mid-Ohio Valley through Hawaiian shirts and strumming ukuleles.
Starting next week, any local residents are able to join the new ukulele choir at the Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta.
"I got the idea when I watched a live streaming service out of Portland, Oregon, and they had a ukulele choir," said Archer. "I saw the diversity in ages and the different things they were doing. Some just sang, some played the ukulele, there was percussion and some that sang and played."
Archer said he also hopes that the ukulele choir will be a community choir, rather than just a Christ UMC choir.
"If they have a pulse, we want them," he said. "Anyone ages 9 and older can join. Diversity is the key."
Archer will be assisted in directing the choir with elementary music teacher Steve Brown.
"This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to pursue a new instrument," he said. "It gives a lot of people a chance to do something they've never done before and it's something different and fresh. There's nothing else like this in the community."
Within 30 minutes, most people can learn three chords on the ukulele and play a simple song.
"I always wanted to play the piano into retirement but I don't have one," said Ginny Ferguson, 65, of Marietta. "The ukulele is different and it's a very enjoyable instrument. I'm excited to get started."
Jeff Walker, 52, of Marietta said he'd always wanted a ukulele but his wife was against the idea.
"About two years ago I began pestering my wife about getting a ukulele," he said. "This idea came up and my wife ended up buying me a ukulele for our last anniversary."
Archer said he hopes this will bring the community together through music.
"We've had between 25 and 30 people express an interest so far," he said. "We hope to get many, many more."
An informational and planning meeting will be held next Tuesday in the Christ United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall at 301 Wooster St., Marietta. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. and anyone is allowed to attend. Vocalists and percussionists are also welcome.
"My mom and dad lived in Hawaii before I was born until I was over 1 year old," said Kathleen Perruci, 53, of Marietta. "My dad took lessons when I was little and played for years as I was growing up. I'd never bothered to learn how to play the ukulele but when I heard about this, I said sign me up."
For more information about the ukulele choir, call the church at 740-373-1512 or visit its website at christumcmarietta.org.