Uke Zoo w/ Eric Engblade of Music Sparks Meaning

Name: Uke Zoo w/ Eric Engblade of Music Sparks Meaning
Start: 2025-08-12T09:00:00-04:00
Location: 107 S Harrison St, Ludington, MI, United States, Michigan 49431

Schedule

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025 at 09:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

107 S Harrison St, Ludington, MI, United States, Michigan 49431 | Ludington, MI

August 12, 13 & 14 for kids 5 - 9 years old
UKE ZOO, A CRESCENDO CAMP
w/ Eric Engblade of Music Sparks Meaning
Throughout the camp, participants will learn new songs each day, engage in fun musical games, and develop their ukulele skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Each day will also feature a "Goodbye Song" and a home play assignment to reinforce learning.
Tuesday: Elephant - Ukulele Beginnings
Welcome to Uke Zoo!, where we'll embark on a musical adventure with the ukulele! On our first day, we'll get to know each other and the amazing ukulele. We'll learn the basic parts of the instrument, how to hold it, and how to make our first sounds. Through fun games and songs like "Baby Shark" and "Uke Zoo! Theme," we'll explore basic musical concepts and start strumming our way to fun! We'll even learn a new song. Get ready to "Pass the Elephant" and share fun facts about ourselves as we begin our ukulele journey!
Wednesday: Cat - Chord Exploration
Today, we'll introduce the C chord, a fundamental building block for ukulele music. We'll review the basics from Day 1, including strumming techniques, and for those ready, we'll even explore up strums. We'll play "Ripple and Splash" to get comfortable with the C chord and learn the importance of "RIGHT, TIGHT, LIGHT" for clear, beautiful sounds. We'll also play "Mary Had a Little Lamb Cat!" and "I'm Walking" to practice our new skills, and play a fun game of "Follow the Leader"!
Thursday: Ant - Dynamics and Teamwork
On our final day, we'll learn the Am chord and explore the exciting world of musical dynamics – playing loud and soft! We'll start with a cooperative game of "Musical Chairs" to get our bodies moving and our ukuleles ready. We'll review the C chord and strumming patterns, and then dive into the Am chord with a special chant: "Finger Two not by your TOES, Finger Two up by your NOSE!" We'll play songs like "For Tiny Ants" and "The Ants Go Marching," experimenting with loud and soft playing. Our grand finale will be a game of "Musical Hot & Cold," where we use dynamics to guide our search for hidden ukulele animals!
Get ready to strum, sing, and have a blast at Uke Zoo!
Music Sparks Meaning operates with a clear mission: to empower individuals and enrich communities by helping them discover meaning and purpose through music. They believe in music's profound personal and collective impact. From introducing beginners to instruments and expanding musical horizons to connecting music with life and learning, Music Sparks Meaning is committed to using music as a catalyst to uplift, empower, and better the lives of those around us.
One of their proud initiatives across Michigan is Crescendo, a youth outreach program. By bringing professional musicians and educators directly to students, they create unique and memorable learning experiences. Crescendo's curated offerings connect curriculum with real-world applications for engaging presentations tailored to various grades and age ranges.
Eric Engblade, a talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, performer, and music teacher from Grand Rapids, MI, is deeply aligned with Crescendo's mission. He believes in the power of the arts to empower young people and create positive, lasting impacts on their lives and communities. Eric is dedicated to bringing music education to various schools, nurturing creativity and fostering connection among students both inside and outside the classroom. He offers a range of engaging and inspiring workshops designed to develop musical skills across a diverse age spectrum. Eric's passion for music and his commitment to student growth make him an invaluable asset to the Crescendo team.