Ukulele Orchestra brings musical twist to Champion stage April 22

BOERNE — The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, one of the most unique acts to ever be part of the Boerne Performing Arts series, comes to the Champion High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on April 22.

The audience should expect the unexpected from these world-renowned musicians in an evening of delightfully unorthodox renditions crossing many musical genres performed exclusively on ukuleles, harmonizing and lending vocals and laughs in a very British sort of way.

Its arrangements are written by director and founding member, George Hinchliffe, or by other members of the ensemble and aim to remain faithful to the spirit and notes of the songs they cover while creating a surprising new sound with the unique character of the ukulele.

This famous orchestra has performed around the globe in such noted places and venues as Carnegie Hall in New York City; the Polar Jazz Festival in the Arctic Circle in Svalbard, Sweden; the Royal Opera Hall in London; the Sydney Opera House in Australia; Chongqing Taindi Theatre in China; and for Queen Elizabeth when she celebrated her 90th birthday in the U.K.

The variety of ukuleles played includes all registers, from soprano to bass, while implementing harmonies, plucking techniques and changes to the style or genre of familiar music to entertain audiences with something unexpectedly fresh and brilliant.

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be participating in a student outreach program for Boerne ISD fourth graders in a special FOR KIDS! Performance.

These programs are offered at no charge to the students and are a foundational commitment for Boerne Performing Arts as they host internationally acclaimed artists to enhance exposure to the arts for young audiences.

The Champion High School orchestra will perform in the lobby before the show and at intermission and artwork by area middle school students will be on display.

Tickets range from $30-$60; $20 for students. Concessions will be offered by the orchestra booster organization.

For details, go to: www.BoernePerformingArts com or call the Performing Arts series message line at 830-331-9079.