COMING TO UKE REPUBLIC
Keep checking back for future events coming to UKE Republic.
Outgoing events
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Come jam with the west georgia ukulele ensemble
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Check the West GA Ukulele Ensemble's FaceBook Page for announcements.
Meetups per usual are Saturday's 10:30 am to 12:00 pm next to UKE Republic. Headed up by award-winning choral and band director Peggy Killian, the West Georgia Ukulele Ensemble is in its infancy. We will soon be meeting as an ensemble as soon as we get our beginners caught up. The summer meetups will be for beginners to understand the basics, learn chords, and strumming techniques. Beginning this fall 2018, intermediate and advanced players can join the ensemble. Intermediate and advanced players are welcome to come during the summer beginner meetups to assist the beginners and get to know your fellow members.
MISSION STATEMENT: KUMU Our Goals Are To: 1. Join together to enjoy the passion of music and ukulele playing 2. Share with our community the joy of music 3. Donate to charities 4. Create opportunities to play and sing a variety of musical styles MEMBERSHIP: HO'O.HUI 1. One year membership fee $25.00 2. All ages both young and young at heart 3. Meet once or twice a month 4. Perform in the community 5. Donate time and talents to charities 6. Meet at UKE Republic (Inside the Threadmill Complex) 5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd. Austell, GA 30106 Meet West Georgia Ukulele Ensemble Director: Peggy Killian Director Emeritus Brass Instructor Subjects Taught
Obviously, many students have grown up with P.K. The Performing Arts Program at AHS has flourished under her direction and inspiration. Her various talents and unlimited creativity are only a part of the reason our students are so successful. Her compassion and concern for each of them encourages their best efforts. She was born in Chester, South Carolina and took piano lessons in elementary school, along with trumpet, guitar and voice during her high school years. She attended Brevard College on a music scholarship where she received an Associate Arts Degree in music. While attending Brevard, she played with the Asheville Symphony, received the Music Talent Award, and performed with the group "Bounty Three." She gained valuable experience touring with "Bounty Three" and promoting their recordings in the area. Colleges and Education
Her first teaching job was in 1971 at Marist School, which was an all boys school at the time. She was a female band director for an all male band. She came to Douglas County in 1972 teaching at Chapel Hill Middle School. She left Chapel Hill in 1990 after 18 years to become the Choral and Spring Musical Director at Alexander High School. She stayed in this position for 15 years before retiring after the 2004-2005 school year. She now works part-time at Alexander teaching the Chorus classes. Along with teaching, Ms. Killian works with the Tri-M Music Honors Society, Spring Musical, Show Choir, and the Band. Professional Experience and ActivitiesWhile at Chapel Hill Middle School she formed Pique & Company, a professional group of students, eighth grade through college age, that performed with various well known personalities. They were in TV shows and commercials in the Atlanta area, as well as working and performing with Tim Conway and Don Knotts. They also recorded a video for the MTV Basement Tapes program. During the summers she performed at Six Flags Over Georgia in the Crystal Pistol shows both in the orchestra and cast. She has also played in local clubs and did studio recording work with different groups. Professional Accomplishments and AwardsHer accomplishments since coming to Alexander are numerous. She has improved the participation in the Performing Arts by using her people skills, as well as her talents, to promote an interest in the program and the arts. She received a lifetime membership in the Parent Teacher Association for her outstanding contributions to education. She won first place in the County and District Instructional Fair for new ideas and strategies in teaching. She was Alexander's Teacher of the Year in 1994 and, according to her students, "She is our Teacher of the Year every year!" Ms. Killian was selected as Star Teacher for 2002. She also served on the Board of FAME and lobbies for better curriculum and exposure for her students to the performing arts. The "P.K." Philosophy Her Philosophy springs from her belief that the arts are fundamental. She agrees with the Greek philosopher who said, "We must educate the whole man, the creative side, as well as the intellectual side." She feels the arts are for everyone, not just a chosen few. This is one of the reasons she writes the Spring Musicals instead of presenting traditional shows. Ms. Killian believes this gives more students the opportunity to be "the star," and the variety of music presented appeals to a broader audience. It is also her intention to give students as many life experiences as possible. This is the only chance for some of these students to perform and for others it is a training ground for things to come. She writes much of the orchestration for the live music, as well as directing all of the dialogue and choreography, which is done after school and on weekends. |