Ukulele Hayley

by Judy Cox

  And rehearsed, of course. It wouldn’t impress the school board one bit if the band wasn’t any good!

  Once the word got out, lots of kids from school wanted to help. Parents and teachers too. Dad made an e-mail list of parent helpers, and Mom started a phone tree. Parents and kids wrote letters to the editor and to the school board. Curtis told his mom about the rally, and she arranged for her newspaper to cover the event.

  Many hands make light work. It was true. The work went quickly with so many people—kids, BUGs, parents, and friends—helping.

  But would it be enough to make a difference?

  Don’t Stop the Music

  Hayley woke to a soft pattering sound. Mango and Tango nibbling their kibbles? Tilly tiptoeing in the hall? Then she realized what it was—rain! And on the day of the rally!

  She pictured the BUGs with water dripping off their ukuleles and wind blowing music off their stands. Thunder drowning out their singing. No one would come to the rally in the rain.

  She stomped into the kitchen feeling like an old grouch. Tilly padded down the hall behind her. “Breakfast, Sissy?” she asked.

  Hayley got out the bowls and spoons. She poured them each a bowl of cereal. The milk was in a special pitcher that wasn’t too heavy. She tipped it carefully, tucking her tongue between her teeth as she poured.

  The hours crawled by. Hayley finished her homework. She made her bed. She took her dirty clothes out to the laundry room. She practiced her ukulele. In between chores, she glared out the window. If only the stupid rain would stop!

  By five o’clock, she got her wish. The sun broke through. Mount Hood peeked through the clouds.

  “Dad!” she yelled. “The mountain is out!” She danced around in her bare feet, too excited to eat dinner. “Hurry up!” she told her parents. “We can’t be late!”

  At last, everyone had finished eating. Tilly and Hayley helped Dad clean up. It took forever. Finally, the kitchen was spotless, the way Dad liked it. Hayley pulled on her yellow DON’T STOP THE MUSIC T-shirt and grabbed her ukulele. Rally time!

  Would anyone come?

  Would they! Would they ever! When Hayley and her family arrived at the district office, there were so many cars that there was no place to park. Dad dropped Hayley, Tilly, and Mom off and went to find a parking space.

  From the sidewalk, Hayley looked across to the school district office building. It was an old brick building. Stone steps led up to a wide porch, forming a space almost as big as a stage. This is where the BUGs had decided to hold the concert. The school board members would have to walk right past them to get to the meeting. They couldn’t help but notice the band.

  Now, as Hayley wound her way through the crowd, she wondered if anyone else would be able to see! The lawn in front of the district office was packed with people. Some carried signs. Some held balloons. Some wore yellow T-shirts like hers.

  Hayley spotted Skeeter and Olivia. She grabbed her uke. “See you later!” she called to Mom and Tilly. She ran off to meet the rest of the BUGs.

  “Look!” said Olivia. “Anna Chee from Channel Seven News is here!” She pointed to a van. Anna Chee was Olivia’s favorite reporter because she was Chinese American too. “We’re going to be on TV!”

  A dark-haired woman was setting up a camera and a microphone. Hayley grinned, but she wasn’t surprised.

  “That was my brilliant idea!” she exclaimed. “The one I was keeping a secret! I called the TV station!” Hayley hadn’t told anyone—not even her parents— because she didn’t want to disappoint them if it didn’t work out. But here was Anna Chee in person!

  “Come on!” Hayley pulled Skeeter and Olivia over. Then she stood there, shyly, until the reporter introduced herself.

  “So you’re the little girl with the big ideas? I’m Anna Chee.” Ms. Chee had a dazzling smile and glossy hair. She was even prettier in person than on TV. “I’d like to interview you.”

  On camera, Hayley told all about learning to play the ukulele and starting the BUGs with Mr. Y’s help. She told how important the music program was. She was too caught up in her story to have time to feel even one bit shy.

  “Well, Ukulele Hayley, I understand that you’re the little girl responsible for this rally,” said Ms. Chee. “What made a third grader think she could do this?”

  Hayley told Anna Chee the story of Ruby and Her Ragtime Rascals. “She did all that in a leg brace,” Hayley continued. “Because she was determined. I knew if she could do that, I could do this. But I didn’t do it all alone. Lots of people helped.”

  “Were you worried that no one would come?”

  Hayley smiled. “Never,” she said. “Well, maybe. Make that some of the time.” She took a deep breath. “Well, actually I worried all the time. But I guess lots of people believe in the power of music too.”

  It was time to start. Hayley joined the rest of the BUGs on the steps. She looked out over the crowd. It was amazing to see all the parents and kids, teachers, friends, and neighbors. Mrs. McCann was there. So was Ms. Lyons. She spotted Mom and Dad, with Tilly on his shoulders. Hayley grinned and waved. Mom cheered. Dad gave her a thumbs-up.

  Olivia’s mom stepped up to the microphone to introduce the BUGs. “If the music program is cut,” she said, “this is just one of the talented student groups that we will lose.”

  The thirty-five members, dressed in yellow T- shirts, stood at attention. At Mr. Y’s signal, they began. They played and sang, strummed and hummed. Curtis played a solo. Hayley, Skeeter, and Olivia played their trio piece.

  There were a few glitches—what live performance doesn’t have a few glitches? But Hayley thought it was the best they’d ever sounded. They ended with a song that Michelle had written for the rally:

  Don’t stop the music, they sang. Let it ring!

  Don’t stop the music! Let us sing.

  They took their bows to applause and cheers.

  Then, the members of the school board came onstage. Mr. Penwick took the microphone. He looked as cross as ever. He tapped the mic to make sure it was on. Then he cleared his throat. “First of all, I’d like to say that I’m impressed by this outpouring of support for the music program.” He paused, and Hayley’s heart pounded. It isn’t going to work, she thought. The board is going to cut the program anyway. What will I do without the BUGs? She reached out and grabbed Olivia’s hand and squeezed it.

  Mr. Penwick continued. “Obviously, we’ve underestimated the importance of music to the Bridgewater Elementary community. The board will reconsider the program and take another vote.” With that, the school board filed inside.

  Ukulele Hayley and Her BUGs

  Hayley started to follow the school board members, but Mom pulled her back. Tilly was slumped over Mom’s shoulder, snoring gently. “It’s late,” Mom said. “We need to get Tilly home to bed.”

  Hayley’s face fell. She had to know how the school board would vote!

  Dad agreed. “Let’s give Hayley a chance to see this through,” he said. “She’s worked so hard. Take Tilly home and I’ll wait with Hayley. We’ll catch a ride with the Watsons after the meeting.”

  Mom nodded. “I want you to know that whatever they decide, we are very proud of you,” she said. She dropped a kiss on the top of Hayley’s head and carried Tilly across the lawn to the car. Dad and Hayley went into the district office.

  The room was packed. Skeeter and his grandmother were there, as well as Olivia and Mr. and Mrs. Watson and most of the other BUGs. Even Curtis. Every chair was filled. Ms. Lyons sat in front, with Mr. Y and Mrs. McCann. Standing room only. Hayley and Dad leaned against the back wall.

  Mr. Penwick called the meeting to order.

  “First of all,” he said, “I’d like to recognize the parents, teachers, and students here tonight and thank them for coming. We have changed our agenda to take another vote on cutting the music program.”

  “Just a minute, Mr. Chairman!” another board member spoke up. “Before we vote, take a look at this!”
She handed Mr. Penwick a piece of paper. He put on his glasses and peered at it for a moment. Then he whipped a calculator out and punched in numbers. His usual sour expression dissolved into a big smile.

  “We’ve just been informed that The Benson Charitable Trust will award a grant to the Bridgewater Ukulele Group!” he announced. “However, the grant will be given only if the school music program is kept open.”

  Benson Trust? Could that be the same sweet old Mr. Benson from the senior center? The one who used to play the uke? Hayley looked around the room. She spotted him—a thin old man with a big grin. He caught her eye and winked.

  The board took a vote. This time, all five members voted to keep the music program. The room erupted with cheers. “Hooray!” shouted Skeeter.

  Mr. Penwick banged his gavel for silence. “The board has voted to reinstate the music program. After a short recess, we will continue our meeting to look for ways to save money elsewhere.”

  The school board recessed for fifteen minutes. As the crowd streamed out, people stopped to congratulate Hayley. Mrs. McCann gave her a hug. Ms. Lyons had tears in her eyes as she shook Hayley’s hand. Mr. Y gave her a high five. Hayley glowed. She floated out of the boardroom and followed Dad down the stairs.

  When she got back home, Jennifer and Sam were on the phone, calling for Hayley. From college!

  “I saw the rally on TV!” Jennifer said. “Hayley, you are a shining star.”

  “We’re proud of you,” said Sam. “Way to go!”

  Hayley beamed as she hung up the phone. Not too little! Not the shrimp! Not Go-Away-Hayley anymore!

  On Monday Mr. Y met the BUGs at the door of the music room with a big grin.

  The kids all crowded around. By now everyone had heard the news. But they wanted to hear it again.

  “Yes,” Mr. Y said. “The music program will stay! And so will I!”

  “This calls for a celebration!” shouted Skeeter.

  “What should we do to celebrate?” asked Lupe.

  “What else?” said Hayley, picking up her uke. “Let’s rock!”

  Hayley’s Tips on

  How to Play the Ukulele

  The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn to play. It’s light, portable, and small. Best of all, it’s inexpensive. Unlike the guitar, it has only four strings. Unlike the recorder, you can sing with it while you play.

  Choosing a Uke

  Although Hayley found a nice ukulele at a garage sale, you might do better at a music store. Don’t buy a plastic toy uke. You won’t be happy with the tone, and they are hard to play. Use nylon strings on your ukulele. Steel strings will be too tight and might bend the neck.

  How to Hold Your Ukulele

  Hold the uke lightly against your rib cage with the neck in your left hand. Put your left thumb gently on the back of the neck, and curl your fingers around it to touch the strings. Your right arm holds the uke. Use your right fingers for strumming and your left hand to press the strings down to play chords.

  Tuning the Uke

  You will also want to get a tuner. A digital tuner that clamps to the top of the ukulele is a good investment. Playing out of tune is not fun! Remember, you can tune a uke, but you can’t tuna fish!

  Turn the tuning peg with your left hand until the string matches the pitch you want. There are different tunings you can use, but most soprano ukes use C tuning. The strings are tuned to GCEA. You can remember the notes with “Good Cooks Eat A lot.” If you don’t have a tuner, you can tune to a piano. When your uke is in tune, it will sound like the tune of “My Dog Has Fleas.” Sing along to hear the notes the strings should make.

  Strumming

  To get started, use your pointer finger to softly strum across all the strings. You can vary the rhythm by strumming upward as well. There are many different strumming patterns you can use. Internet videos are a good place to watch people demonstrate different strums.

  First Chord—C

  You really can play hundreds of songs with just three chords. Start with C. Put the third finger of your left hand on the A string at the third fret. That’s a C chord! See how easy it is? You can find diagrams for other chords on the Internet or from a ukulele book.