By Juliet Speedy
The Roncalli International Ukulele Orchestra took out the prize for best school orchestra with the famed instrument.
The group had travelled from Timaru to do their bit to create the biggest ukelele orchestra ever assembled.
“We've got people from all around the city, including the mayor, jumping up on stage and around the James Hay Theatre playing the ukes, it's going to be fantastic,” says Jeff Fulton, organiser.
The current world record boasts 1120 people strumming in unison in Auckland last year.
“I'd like to think we can get close, but we'll just have to see, you never know,” says Mr Fulton.
The ukulele is fast becoming the instrument of choice for young and old, it’s popularity is thanks largely to the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, the very group that inspired this group of talented boys.
“Last year we had a arts trip for school and we went and saw the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra and it was pretty much set then that we wanted to have a bit of play around and do the ukulele orchestra,” says Steven Marr, musician.
“I know here in Christchurch, Musicworks are selling over a dozen a week, they've actually sold out for today which is good and bad I guess but yeah it's a very popular instrument among schools,” says Mr Fulton.
The record attempt got underway late this afternoon with young and old playing a classic New Zealand hit.
In the event they only mustered about 200 players, well short of the 1,100 strong record set in Auckland last year, but these players sure had fun attempting it.
3 News