Even though only half the Wanganui Ukulele Orchestra were available to play on Sunday at the Masonic Court Home for the Elderly Christmas function, those who did, played with gusto.
The Wanganui Ukulele Orchestra is a fund-raising group, donating to charitable organisations.
"It's something we feel really good about," says Ukulele Orchestra
member Aydie Holland.
They play many styles of music, from rock to country, pop and reggae, and even carols for the Christmas season.
After the Sunday performance, the ukulele orchestra was able to hand cheques to Wanganui Hospice, as well as Birthright Wanganui.
The Wanganui Ukulele Orchestra formed four years ago, and have some accomplished musicians in their midst.
Even though they are a ukulele group, they will occasionally bring in other instruments such as the banjo, recorder, kazoo and spoons.
"The ukulele has universal appeal," says Aydie.
"It's so little. This makes it delightfully innocent and child-like in its tone, but at the same time, it can also be played to a virtuoso level.
And because of its size, it is totally transportable. As a group, we have as much fun during our practices as we do onstage."
You can hear this warm-hearted group on stage in January at the Wanganui Vintage weekend Caboodle.
