Children strum their way into record book

Musical youth: A section of the 620 pupils and preschoolers from across Johor Baru strumming their way into the MBOR in Iskandar Puteri. — Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI: They may be small and young but it did stop them from aiming high.

Some 620 preschoolers and primary pupils are now in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for strumming and being a part of the largest ukulele-players gathering in the country.

Coming from 24 primary schools and 32 kindergartens around Johor Baru, they got together to perform in the Grownce Ukulele Festival held for the first time here.

Grownce Sdn Bhd operation director Willen Wong Wai Lun said the children, aged between four and 12, practised really hard over the last four months.

“It is not easy to gather a big number of children from so many institutions. They also have to go through scores of group practice sessions in three of our music centres around the city.

“The moral support and strong encouragement from their parents and schools made this event successful,” he said after the event ended at the EduCity Sports Complex here on Friday night.

Wong said the ukulele was selected as it is easy and fun to learn for children starting from an early age of four.

During the performance, the children strummed three songs – Mary Had a Little Lamb, Little Tiger and Muafakat Johor.

MBOR office manager Lee Poi Leng, after making sure the participants had fulfilled the criteria, duly presented the certificate to Grownce’s sales and marketing director Steven Cho Soon Kai.

Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong witnessed the ceremony.

Tee said the state government fully supported and encouraged such activity involving the community.

“This activity showcases the spirit of Muafakat Johor among our multi-racial and plural society.

“Besides, nurturing talent and interests from a young age will help to shape our children to be proactive, caring and respectful to one another,” he said, adding that such programmes would have a positive impact to society.