The Langley Ukulele Ensemble is now in its 42nd year – 32 years under the direction of Peter Luongo, and, for the past 9 years, under the direction of Paul Luongo. During this time the group has developed a reputation at home and abroad for excellence in musical performance. The ensemble members range in age from 13 to 19 years, and are students attending middle school, secondary or post-secondary institutions.

 

The ensemble has performed over 80 times within a calendar year. Notably, they have performed at ukulele festivals in Nevada, Oregon, Nova Scotia, Japan, and Hawaii, while also performing at local community events within the lower mainland and greater Vancouver regions. Prior to the pandemic, the ensemble had opened up for the Grammy Award Winner, Bobby McFerrin, as a part of the Grand Rally for Music Education within the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Convention. 

 

In 2021, the ensemble and association celebrated 40 Years of Enriching Lives Through Music. Although limited in their abilities to perform live and in public, the ensemble was able to record their latest album, "Celebrate", which featured alumni members of the ensemble over the past few decades. 

 

In this past year, the ensemble performed for a wide variety of events such as the Pacific National Exhibition, the Gift of Time Gala and Gift of Love events for Canucks Place & Hospice, The Township of Langley's Mayor Gala, The BC Legislature and Royal Museum, and the Okanogan Military Tattoo (OMT), to name a few. The ensemble looks forward to making its 26th Annual Tour to perform at the Sheraton Waikiki, this coming July, 2023.

 

The group’s motto is “Enriching Lives through Music”. The members are challenged to strive towards excellence in musical performance and to use music as a vehicle through which they can be role models and leaders among their peers. The group members see themselves as musical ambassadors for Canada, British Columbia, and Langley, as well as for youth. They hope to leave audiences with a sense that there is a reason to be hopeful about the future of today’s youth.