Students are strumming their first chords on ukuleles in Julie Baumann’s music classes at Hershey Elementary School and Dayton Elementary School. 

"It's not easy at first, and like anything you want to get better at you have to practice," encourages Baumann.

The fourth and fifth grade students are practicing “God Bless the U.S.A” for upcoming Veterans Day programs.

Baumann won the Ouibache Music Festival’s Bryan Metzger Legacy Award and used the funds to purchase ukuleles. “This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to traditional music,” says Baumann. “The ukuleles are easy to learn with only four strings and are the perfect size for elementary students.”

“I like learning new strings and how to play,” says Hershey student Barrett Dunn.

“It’s not a common instrument,” adds classmate Quinn Findlay. “It's fun to learn about a new instrument.”

Through their practice, students are developing skills like rhythm and coordination. For most of them, this is their first experience with a musical instrument which is something that Baumann hopes will spark a lifetime appreciation for music.