The KIWILELES, New Zealand's phenomenal massed children's ukulele orchestra, will celebrate 10 years in 2016.  Membership has grown to an incredible 2,500 to 3,000 children annually. 

Most KIWILELES join the programme as beginners. By the end of one year, when they headline at the New Zealand Ukulele Festival, they can play songs using several chords and a variety of strums. They sing in harmony. Many learn to read tab and play lead melody lines. Some will have written and performed their own songs and raps. They are amazing! The Kiwileles come from participating schools all over New Zealand. 

When the KIWILELES perform they raise the roof of the stadium and bring joy and pride to themselves, their schools and their families. It's an uplifting and empowering experience they will never forget! 

The SONGBOOK contains graded songs to suit all abilities. Musical styles are varied, and riffs, chords, words, scales and notes about the music are included.  Prepared each year by music educators and professional musicians, KIWILELES schools are always eager for the next edition. A rehearsal C D accompanies the book making it easy for any teacher or parent to facilitate learning. 

A selection of KIWILELES rehearsal tracks are available on the KIWILELES SOUND CLOUD for home practise. KIWILELES are encouraged to share their music with their families and teach someone else how to play too!

The annual performance by the KIWILELES at the NZ Ukulele Festival is the culmination of a year's music programme delivered by the New Zealand Ukulele Trust. The KIWILELES SONGBOOK and rehearsal C D is produced annually and is available to New Zealand schools who have registered for the programme.