This past Saturday, the College of Arts and Sciences hosted a ukulele jam at the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, where students and faculty members of the University of Rhode Island along with members of the greater Kingston community joined together to create music.
The event was organized by Audrey Cardany, an associate professor of music and director of music education at URI, who is no stranger to putting together events like this.
“This kind of interactive event is something that is part of what I’ve been doing since I’ve been a music teacher,” Cardany said. “Although this one is unique as I’ve never created a jam session.”
Cardany wanted to contrast this event with the more refined nature of her job, which features a more consistent cycle of establishing a repertoire and learning how to work with the same groups of people. However, with the ukulele jam she intended on bringing in as many people as possible, regardless of their musical experience or background.
“People come with whatever music ability or music interest they want,” Cardany said. “Then we make music and then we go home. So it doesn’t result in a performance but it results in performing for each other.”
This begs the question of why the ukulele was the instrument of choice. Cardany placed a great amount of emphasis on the ukulele’s versatility in different genres, such as pop and hip-hop, along with it being beginner friendly. She is also involved with a local ukulele jam group, which meets at the Pump House every Monday, and wanted to bring that experience to campus.
When the night came, people both on and off campus arrived at the Fine Arts Center, some bringing their own ukuleles, while others borrowed some that the school had available. Accompanying them were students who were a part of the music program who assisted on drums, bass, electric guitar and vocals.
The list of songs varied greatly, starting off at the ukulele’s origin with some Hawaiian tunes before transitioning into other genres, like blues and eventually rock. Instructions on what cords to play were projected on the stage, making it easy for everyone to follow along.
Emmanuel Oyewole, a graduate student studying marine affairs, attended the event after becoming interested in it after seeing a poster for it at the Fine Arts Center. As a lover of music, playing drums, guitar and piano, he hoped to further expand his musical capabilities.
“This was my first time handling a ukulele,” Oyewole said. “I think I’m gonna get one, and definitely check out the next jam that’ll be here.”
Even prior to the event, Cardany was already in the works of organizing another jam session.
“We do plan on doing something like this next year,” Cardany said. “I just have to figure out what it’s gonna look like, if it’s a refinement of the ukulele jam or if it’s an extension onto something different.”
However, this means for some they’ll have to wait.
“Next year? Why not this year?” Oyewole said, letting out a laugh.
More information regarding events like this can be found on the URI music department’s Instagram at @urimusicdepartment.