Ukulele takes its place
in the pews New Hampshire praise
band has 20 of them By Wendy Healy
T
he newfangled popularity of the ukulele is popping up in the pews. Messiah Lutheran in Amherst, N.H., a congregation of about 70 families, recently started a ukulele praise band. The uke has gained in popularity because the Hawaiian instrument is easy to learn and instruc- tional videos are viral on YouTube, said Thomas Teichmann, pastor of Messiah (
www.messiahnh. org). Music legends Paul McCartney and Pete Townsend have embraced it, but when uke virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro posted online his rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” in 2006 popularity soared.
At Messiah, Linnea Micciulla, the music direc-
tor, was playing in a uke club when the idea of a church praise band sparked interest. “Everyone was interested in asking her about her uke band and said, ‘Why don’t we start a band here?’ ” said Teichmann, who also wanted to play the uke. So in January, Micciulla launched what is being referred to as the Ukelele Praise Band or U-Choir until they settle on a name. About 20 participate. “The ukulele is easy to learn, especially if you played guitar,” said Micciulla, who grew up sing- ing traditional hymns and playing the organ. But
28 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
BOB HAMMERSTROM
“Amazing Grace” on the uke? “Pretty much anything translates. It doesn’t have to be a Hawaiian song,” she said. Micciulla was “hooked instantly” when she borrowed a uke from a friend and went to the town’s uke club two years ago. Teichmann, who has served Mes- siah for seven years, said the popularity of the uke can be attributed to the fun factor. “Our uke band put a lot of diverse people together who don’t normally sit together,” he said. “When you play the uke you always have to have a smile on your face.” Taking up the uke is a good way to get involved in music.
At Messiah Lutheran Church, Amherst, N.H., the ukulele has found its way into the hands of members largely because of its “fun fac- tor.” They’ve formed a uke praise band.
“It’s easy, and kind of like that first flute you played when you were little,” he said. “It’s a lot like a guitar and people can play even if they don’t read music. You go by chord charts.” The group practices every other Sunday and plays for wor- ship and the youth group. The goal is to play every few months for worship. Teichmann hopes to write a uke liturgy. “As a pastor who came from a camp background, alternative ways of doing familiar things piqued my interest from the begin- ning,” he said. “Giving fresh life to timeless traditions is not only fun but vital to that tradition’s effect on people. I’ve also had wonderful experiences with contemporary music and praise bands and experiential liturgies.” Teichmann believes the band’s intrigue has already brought a few members into the church. For the town’s July 4th celebra- tion, Messiah had a booth showcasing the uke band. It’s a nice balance to the traditional choirs, he added, saying the congregation that once viewed the band as an oddity now gives it a warm reception. “Music hits people in their hearts and down to their emotions and gives them hope for things to come in their lives,” he said.
Healy is a freelance writer and member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, N.Y.
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