Ukulele community grows with local group
Paula Hostetler is a facilitator and teacher for T County Ukulele Squad.
The surge in popularity of the ukulele is reflected in a growing local group of players who find themselves in demand, playing small concerts around the county.
“There were just four people at first,” said Paula Hostetler, who facilitates the group and helps teach others to play. “They got together over a common interest in paying ukulele. They didn’t play for anyone else, just got together to enjoy playing together. Then Liz Strauss from the Dover Public Library put together a class to teach people to play. One of those original four taught the students in what was supposed to be a one-time class. At the end of it, they all wanted to continue to learn. The group got bigger and bigger, and eventually, they came up with a name, the T County Ukulele Squad.”
The group, then made up of 14 players, played a small concert for Christmas 2023. “Since January,” Hostetler said, “we've added 14 more already. I tell people that, and they can hardly believe it.”
The T County Ukulele Squad meets twice each month in the community room of Dover Library to practice and try out new tunes.
Hostetler began playing ukulele only four years ago. “They’re fun,” she said. “You play and you can’t help but smile. The ukulele community is wonderful and embracing. We all support one another.”
The group has a mission statement: “Fun, fellowship and music. The fun and the fellowship come first, then comes the music.”
Players are creating music at all levels of experience, Hostetler said. “You don’t have to be a virtuoso. We all have different goals and end points we want to reach in playing. Some are strumming a few chords while others are doing more finger picking. In all cases everyone is welcome here. I’m still learning. I consider myself a beginner or intermediate player,” she said.
She began in music years ago along a familiar path, starting with playing piano before taking up the bassoon and trumpet in high school.
After retirement she happened to remember the ukulele she and her husband had purchased on their honeymoon for his father, who had since passed away. The instrument was found gathering dust in the attic and revived to play again. It is the ukulele Hostetler uses today with the T County Ukulele Squad. Strauss again played a role, helping Hostetler learn to care for, tune and play her ukulele, rendering a few Christmas carols.
‘There are tons of tutorials on YouTube that help beginners to learn,” Hostetler said. “Many are taught by professionals.”
Still, she feels the best way to learn is to come and join the group and gain firsthand knowledge and help from people who love to pass along their passion for their chosen instrument.
Hostetler said a minor landmark for players comes when they can play without looking at their hands as they pick out chords.
“At that point you can perform a little. You really have to look out at the audience and smile. No one wants to watch the top of your head leaning over to see what your hands are doing. It doesn’t take long to get there,” Hostetler said.
The next gig for the group comes at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center on Wednesday, April 3 for the center’s Lunch and Learn series. They then move to playing a winery in Ragersville and other venues.
“People are starting to call to see if we’re available to play now,” she said.
Anyone interested in learning more about playing ukulele can come to a rehearsal the second and fourth Saturdays of any month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Dover Public Library.
“Just show up, no need to call ahead,” Hostetler said. To book a performance, call Hostetler at 330-340-2206.
The Dover Public Library is located at 525 N. Walnut St. in Dover.