The NZ Ukulele Development Squad is an opportunity for students who show the ability to continue to develop their skills in ensemble playing and general musicianship. This year we have extended the programme to include a junior and senior squad and our senior squad toured to Christchurch. 

 

They attend an intensive three day course in central Auckland once a year in September. They play in four sections, like an orchestra. NZ Ukulele commissions music to be written or arranged for this unique ensemble. 

 

Both squads perform as part of the APPA Music Festival in Auckland’s Town Hall in November and on the main stage at the NZ Ukulele Festival. 

 

To be in a Development Squad, students need to be at intermediate or secondary school, competent at playing advanced chords and strumming patterns, play melody lines, arpeggios, basic scales, read tablature or notation -and most of all - be prepared to train hard! 

 

 

 

The New Zealand Ukulele Trust's Development Squad proudly play instruments provided by Kala ukuleles and Lyn McAllister Music.   

Philip Griffin   

  

We are delighted to have Philip Griffin as the musical director of the Development Squads. Philip is in demand internationally as a specialist in fretted instruments. 

 

Find out more about Philip HERE

You can hear our 2016 Junior and Senior Development Squads play around midday on the main stage at this year's festival and later in the day in the Teen Talent Showcase from 3.30.