The Sr. B Langley Ukulele Ensemble was pleased to have a number of concert opportunities throughout the fall and looks forward to another busy spring! Currently, the students have a number of shows planned around the communities of Langley, Surrey and Abbotsford and will enjoy their first concert in downtown Vancouver at the end of April.

The Sr. B will also be having a day retreat in late February to focus on team building activities and musical development. In addition to the upcoming concerts and retreat, the Sr. B Ensemble will be holding its second annual recital in May (the exact date is to be determined) and will be venturing out to Kelowna at the end of May for a fourth annual weekend concert tour. Upon our return, some of our students will be auditioning to get into the Sr. A Ensemble and we will also be holding auditions to recruit new members into the Sr. B for the fall of 2008.

Click here for a current picture of our group. Click here for our bio.

For more information about the Sr. B Ensemble contact Lisa Luongo lisamluongo@hotmail.com.

These shots were from the 4th consecutive presentation at the Northwest P.E.T.S. Rotary uses these seminars to bring together all of the elected presidents for the coming year. During the weekend over 700 future Rotary Presidents from regions as far north as Alaska and as far south as California gather to attend information workshops, leadership seminars, and 4 plenary sessions. Guest speakers at the plenary sessions include highly respected National Business Leaders, former Presidents of Rotary, motivational speakers, and during the past 4 years The Langley Ukulele Ensemble.

This is more than another concert for the ensemble however. The group's previous success is highlighted and used as an model for future Rotary Presidents. Using the letter names of the 4 strings of the ukulele, Director Peter Luongo shows that the A, D, F#, B strings are attached to the concepts of Administration of Personnel Resources, a common Destiny, a culture of Friendship, and a sense of Belonging. These 4 qualities are shown to lead to a successful organization.

The highlight of the presentation is the point at which Luongo demonstrates to the audience of 700 how these 4 qualities are employed as the ensemble learns and performs a newly learned song within 10 minutes. For the fourth consecutive year the presentation was met with a thunderous and extended standing ovation.

The final figures are in, and The Ensemble's contribution to the Gateway of Hope Homeless Shelter Concert helped raise approximately $250,000.00 and was an unqualified success. Excerpt from The Langley Advance:

Langley's four Rotary Clubs, along with the Rotaract, teamed up to present the sold-out evening, and while figures were tentative, it's estimated that the gala generated about $220,000 towards a commercial-grade training kitchen for the new homeless shelter, slated to open next year, said one event organizer, Peter Luongo.

Included in the Rotary donation will be about $30,000 that was generated during the high-end live auction.

"We far exceeded what we thought we'd do that night in response and support," Luongo said. "The four Rotary Clubs and the community came together to support a segment of our Langleys that needs help the most. Congratulations."

Click for pictures: Dal and Group. The Host.

On Saturday, May 18th the Langley Ukulele Ensemble will perform with the New Westminister Symphony on stage at the Massey Theatre in New Westminister, B.C. The concert is part of the annual Hyack Festival. This is an exciting opportunity for the Langley Ukulele players to perform with a full symphony. Both groups will play pieces from their own repertoire before joining forces to present ukuleles and full orchestra. This is a must see event. Please check out http://www.nwso.ca/perform.html for ticket information.

The Ensemble is now making plans for two tours in the coming months. In June the ensemble has been invited to perform at the 99th Annual Rotary International Convention being held in Los Angeles, California. This is the second time that the group has been part of this major international event. The performances will occur at the L.A. Convention Center where thousands of Rotary Conference delegates from all over the world will experience the music and youthful enthusiasm of the Langley ensemble.

Ticket information and additional details will be available shortly. Keep checking our web site for updates.

This year marks the 15 anniversary of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble travelling to Hawaii. From July 2nd through the 13th the group will once again perform a series of concerts on the shores of Waikiki at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort. They will also entertain local Rotarians and participate in the Pacific Rim International Childrens' Choral Festival. Highlighting the tour will be a ukulele legends concert featuring the ensemble and some of Hawaii's finest ukulele players.

Photos 2007

The members of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble have extended their talents beyond performing music; many members are now also teaching music. Through a program sponsored by a grant from Coast Capital Savings the ensemble members are sharing their musical expertise with children and seniors. We now have past and present ensemble members teaching elementary aged children in Langley to play the ukulele.

Lessons are also being offered to Seniors in Langley, White Rock, and New Westminister. The mentorship program includes providing instruction to the mentors in how to teach. This program is in its first year and has already impacted the lives of hundreds of people both young and old. Plans are in place to expand the program to include more participants next year.

At the core of our success is a method of teaching the instrument which focuses on 7 categories of instruction:
1. Note Reading
2. Ear Training
3. Theory Instruction (Taught by doing rather than by writing)
4. Correct Singing technique
5. Solo playing
6. Strumming/ chordal accompaniment
7. Technique Development including learning scales

The workshop in September allows us to present this program and to help participants develop their own playing skill. We use the finest teachers in the country, from across the country.

We hold two days of workshops (Friday evening and all day Saturday). A local hotel, The Hampton Inn and Suites is one of our partners and delegates are invited to stay there at a very reasonable rate. The conference itself is held at a local elementary school and lunch is provided on the Saturday. A final component of the weekend is the chance to hear some of Langley's finest players perform for delegates at a concert entitled, "Ukulele Masters In Concert". This show takes place on the Friday night at the local convention centre.

The Langley Ukulele Ensemble performed at Ukulele Ceilidh in Liverpool Nova Scotia in October of 2007. The Ensemble was a definite hit. Read below for comments:

The evening developed into a thing of wonder with first big John K, then Tim and Ed, and The Langley Ukulele Ensemble, who not only showed us all how it's done, but did it with such a combination of grace and passion and energy we were just blown away.

-Sue

The group's performance lived up to our high expectations. Uke players and "laymen" alike raved the rest of the weekend about the magic of the evening.

-Kelly

http://www.ukulele.ca/07ceilidhlangley.htm

The Langley Ukulele Ensemble has finished recording and the CD is now available. Sound clips are now available on the site as well.

The cover features our signature crossed ukuleles...more information is now available on our Recordings Page...click here >>