Uke-Troupe
Friday afternoons twice a month, St Ives Methodist Church
Band leader: Mark Taylor
Admin/Gig bookings: Joy Cooper and Mary Burbage
Uke-Troupe meets from 2-4pm on the first and third Friday afternoon each month in the upstairs room at the Methodist Church on The Waits, St Ives. Having met on Zoom every week during the pandemic, we continue to offer a Zoom link to our live sessions, so that members can still join us from home if they prefer.
The ukulele is a fun instrument and relatively easy to play. It is a very popular activity in many U3A groups around the country and requires no previous musical ability, expertise or knowledge. However, Uke-Troupe is no longer a beginner group and tuition is not offered during our sessions.
We play a variety of popular songs, both new and old, and create our own arrangements. Each member of the group has their own ukulele, digital tuner and music stand. Communication is by e-mail. Members receive a play list and new song attachments from Joy which they print off and bring to the following Uke-Troupe session. Regular practice and attendance is important.
Uke-Troupe now has approximately 25 members, and experienced players are welcome to join when there is space available. There is a small charge for room hire which is payable termly, in advance.
If you would like more information, the Group Organiser, Joy Cooper, can be contacted via the link on the top right of this page. (When emailing the Group Organiser please ensure that you mention 'Uke-Troupe'). The sessions are led by the Troupe leader, Mark Taylor, and our gig arrangements are managed by Mary Burbage.
The group regularly accepts invitations to perform, often in care homes or day centres locally. In 2023, we were invited back to play at the Rotary Spring Concert in Brampton, and in July we took part in a live broadcast from the Market Square on Radio Cambridgeshire. In October we again took part in the Ukulele Festival held in St Ives Corn Exchange (see videos below and on our Photographs page)
To see the Troupe performing live at Over Memory Cafe in March 2024, click the Facebook link top right of this page
(or copy and paste the following video link into your browser:
https://www.facebook.com/OverMemoryCafe/videos/2821889214615752)
Follow the links on the right hand side of this page to see more photos, videos and information about the Troupe
MEETING DATES 2024
All sessions are in the upstairs room at the Methodist Church on The Waits, St Ives, on a Friday afternoon, 2-4pm
Jan 5, 19
Feb 2, 16
March 1, 15
April 5, 19
May 10, (NB: date change) 17 May
June 7, 21
July 5, 19
August – no sessions
Sept 6, 20
Oct 4, 18
Nov 1, 15
Dec 6, 20
CONCERT GROUP 2024
The following gigs have already been booked for 2024:
Wednesday 7 February, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
Saturday 23 March, Over Memory Cafe, 10-12am
Wednesday 1 May, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
Wednesday 5 June, Hemingford Hub, Time TBA
Thursday 6 June, Elsworth Jubilee Club, 2.30pm
Wednesday 3 July, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
Wednesday 25 September, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
Saturday 23 November, Over Memory Cafe, 10-12am
Wednesday 27 November, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE
• Shirts/blouses/tops (not T-shirts) - White
• Trouser or skirts - Black
• Shoes – Black
• Belt (if worn) - Black
• A single tie, bow-tie, scarf, cravat – yellows/oranges/burnt orange (to match the music stand banner).
• No jackets, jumpers, waistcoats, hats, etc.
Ukulele Festival 2023 (Dirty Old Town)