The humble ukulele is experiencing a worldwide resurgence and in NZ the growth has been so big that this year's free Ukulele Festival has moved to Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium. Sponsored by the Play It Strange Trust, who have helped feed the fever by giving away 2600 ukuleles to schools, the festival will include The Kiwileles, an orchestra made up from 30 Auckland schools.

Trust CEO and musician Mike Chunn, of Split Enz fame, says the ukulele excites people because it is cheap, easy to play and sing along to.

"For me - it all began with a cup of tea at Bill Sevesi's home in Mt Roskill around 2001. He said 'the ukulele is the ideal instrument to foster musical performance in our young kids'. Bill is a musical prophet. I heard him. And followed his suggestion."The humble ukulele is experiencing a worldwide resurgence and in NZ the growth has been so big that this year's free Ukulele Festival has moved to Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium. Sponsored by the Play It Strange Trust, who have helped feed the fever by giving away 2600 ukuleles to schools, the festival will include The Kiwileles, an orchestra made up from 30 Auckland schools.

Trust CEO and musician Mike Chunn, of Split Enz fame, says the ukulele excites people because it is cheap, easy to play and sing along to.

"For me - it all began with a cup of tea at Bill Sevesi's home in Mt Roskill around 2001. He said 'the ukulele is the ideal instrument to foster musical performance in our young kids'. Bill is a musical prophet. I heard him. And followed his suggestion."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Between 6.30am and 8am. Usually while out on streets walking. Alone.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
I'm someone who will head into uncharted territory wrapped in optimism. Having thought a lot about what lies ahead first! Thinking - not talking about it.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Seeing it in action. Usually on a stage.
The Band Of Strangers concerts. When the first note is struck. The Sec Schools Songwriting Competition - when I push play on the Top 40 CD. The Ukulele Orchestras. Listening to a 40 piece orchestra sing Hoki Mai with Waka Nathan. That kind of thing.

How does your environment affect your work?
It doesn't really. I can find the space and quiet I need anywhere.
And I can find the right people to share my sharp left turns.
And my beautiful family who support me. We could be in Timbuctoo - it wouldn't matter.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I'm a big picture lad. Details make me sleepy.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Love your fellow man.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
WEell if you go back to 1972 when I started in this musical world - it would be the Play It Strange evolution over the last 5 years. Mind you - being in Split Enz was magical.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Over the last decade - it would be the APRA CEO Brett Cottle (based in Sydney) who I truly admire. A man who loves his music and has business/interpersonal/negotiation skills that are quite magnificent to watch in action.

What is the purpose of Play It Strange Trust and what programmes do you run?
The purpose of the trust is to foster the imagination of young NZers through the writing and performing of their own music. A nation's music tradition is built on songs written by the people about the people (and their place) ....for the people. Our Trust brings into the Spotlight many many school students whose musical creativity is spectacular.
We run:
Sec Schools Songwriting Competition
Band Of Strangers concerts
Ukulele Orchestra Programme

Why did you choose to get involved in this?
I am very aware (I have five children) of the sophisticated sporting infrastructure in NZ schools. That structure gives young people a proactive world in which they can play sport in abundance.
I believe a complimentary infrastructure for young people to explore, create, perform and target careers in contemporary popular music is as important. Music is an everyday need in our lives. So much so - it is taken for granted. Young people need to be able to explore that world in a structured environment akin to their sporting activities. Play It Strange lies behind that philosophy.

How has it grown since its beginnings five years ago?
Each year we are more active. More young people. More support from the older (parent) generations and a greater awareness an taking part and respect from the wider populace. More encouragement and participation from iconic NZ musicians.

What are the challenges and rewards of teaching and encouraging young musicians and songwriters?
There are no real challenges. It isn't an overnight thing. And we don't really teach them. Songwriting isn't a learned craft. They don't take lessons in it, or do homework or sit exams. It is not OF the classroom as such. Just like you don't study or sit exams in rugby and netball. You play the game. What Play It Strange does, in essence, is bring the truly talented writers and performers into the spotlight. So NZ can be aware of them and listen to their great music. In the past - their songs were written - and never heard.

What have you learnt from them?
The songs of young people are written in a truly honest way. Their words are heart-on-the-sleeve. They tell us of their world. They tell us about their take on this small country we live in. And - subtly - they tell us about ourselves. And we can learn from that.

Why did the Trust choose to introduce Ukuleles into schools?
The ages 8-12 are crucial evolutionary years in young people. They are poised to develop strong creative traits. The ukulele excites them as it is:
- easy to play
- sounds good
- you can sing while playing it
- has a strong community aspect to it
- isn't expensive
- is an instrument kids love to take home and show off with!!!!.

What are some of the highlights of this years Ukulele festival?
The Kiwileles will be the highlight. The 700 piece group of primary and intermediate students from all over Auckland!!!! 700!! It is a moving spectacle. A delightful celebration of musical ADVENTURE.
And there will virtuoso performers like Sione Aleki!!

Why is this humble instrument experiencing a resurgence, in New Zealand and worldwide?
For me - it all began with a cup of tea at Bill Sevesi's home in Mt Roskill around 2001. He said "the ukulele is the ideal instrument to foster musical performance in our young kids". Bill is a musical prophet. I heard him. And followed his suggestion.
To date Play It Strange has given away 2,600 ukes and we are going to explode in 2009!

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Wow! Never thought about that...... I love radio. I'd love to be on radio. A jock. A job like Jim Mora's. That would be cool.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Well - I was one of the lucky ones who had a dream and, mostly, it came true. I remember dreaming that dream in the Sacred Heart College music rooms. I had a favourite room. An old piano. A dusty guitar. I take that small room with me in my pocket.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
In the car. I never "listen" to music at home. Home is family. I don't watch TV. Talking, reading - New Yorker, Dickens, Updike... mmm don't seem to get to new release titles! thinking thinking ....... playing the piano or being alone and daydreaming.
Music is in the car.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A flag on a pole. I would drop the flag to half-mast when it should be half-mast. Otherwise - it flies up there so all can see it.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I've never really been given any. I perhaps should have gone looking for it once. . I was good at denying stress for a few decades. To my mental detriment. Now - I accept that stress can defeat me. So I avoid it. I like to think that at 56 I've come to know my limitations.

What's great about today?
Young people taking opportunities and, in that doing, bringing with them a BELIEF in themselves. When I was young "BELIEF" wasn't a very buoyant part of the makeup of the young people that surrounded me.

What's your big idea for 2009?
It's not an idea as such but as a fulfilment of the Play It Strange ethos- that we see someone who has taken part and succeeded handsomely in the Play It Strange programmes, blossom across NZ and beyond with her intelligent, melodic, insightful, varied and masterful music. She is Anna Macdonald.

The NZ Ukulele Festival

When: Saturday, 22 November 2008
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Central
Cost: Free