The new Uke-dooks are not a fluke at PSUC

The Student Association recognized a new club this semester, The Uke-dooks. Founder Shannon Ferguson seized the opportunity to turn a passion for the ukulele into something she could share with her peers.

The Uke-dooks meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the blue room and sometimes outside on Plattsburgh State’s campus. The club currently consists of 30 people, and they are currently searching for more members. They have started their own Facebook page for the club’s information and details.

“I am an education major with a music concentration, so music is something that is very important to me, but so is teaching people how to play music,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s idea came about when students frequently asked what instrument she carried all the time, she said. The interest in the ukulele gave Ferguson the idea to start the club.

After asking around, Ferguson said she discovered there were enough people interested to make the club a reality.

Ferguson said students were really on board with the new club.

 “Music is such a form of expression,” she said. “Everyone listens to it but not everyone knows how to create it. I want to make that more accessible for people, and a ukulele sounds really happy.”

Ferguson said the ukulele is a fairly simple instrument to learn compared to others in the guitar family.

The Uke-dooks are waiting for approval for the funding of ukuleles. In the mean time, members of the club are sharing with each other.

Club member Dylan Black is someone who had no prior experience with string instruments but said he was looking to learn. 

“I initially joined because I saw a friend playing a ukulele one night, so I asked what it was, and he was like, ‘Yo, Uke-dooks,’” Black said.

Member Sheldin Maumkel, on the other hand, played cello for eight years and thought it would be fun. Maumkel heard about the club from his resident assistant, who is friends with Ferguson.

“Ukulele is a really nice sound, and it brings people together. It’s such a happy instrument,” Maumkel said. “You don’t hear this sound everywhere; it’s more in beachy-type areas.”

Black said he thinks it is difficult to find a club like this on many other college campuses.

“I think it’s very unique,” he said. “I have been to two other schools, and there is no such thing as a ukulele club.”

As far as performances go, The Uke-dooks are not going to have concerts, but they will do fundraisers and collaborate with other clubs. Ferguson said there are big plans for the club but didn’t want to reveal too much. They plan to partake in community service and visit local nursing homes.

“It’s about the looks on people’s faces and the expression they give to you,” Maumkel said about performing. “You really feel something by their feedback and see what you’re doing for other people.”

Black said he is looking forward to working with other members.

“It feels good to create music with other people. They start doing one thing and they feel that and start doing something else, and to put it together feels sensational,” he said.

The main goal of the club is to teach and help others while learning together as a group. 

“I really want this club to stay around, even after I graduate,” Ferguson said. “The goal is to teach people something that they probably wouldn’t have a chance otherwise.”