By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Ukuleles are now a staple of classroom instruction for Buckingham Elementary School students, courtesy of a new initiative launched by Freeman Arts Pavilion, a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.

The pilot project focuses on art education. Started by the Freeman Arts Pavilion, it collaborates with Salisbury University music education professor Louise Anderson, who specializes in music education and integrating ukuleles into the curriculum.

To get the project off the ground, Freeman Arts Pavilion provided a classroom set of ukuleles and teaching tools tailored to elementary music introduction to Buckingham, said a press release from the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. BES will incorporate the instruments into its curriculum for at least five years.

According to Lindsay Richard, Joshua M. Freeman Foundation’s community engagement director, the ukulele was selected as the primary instrument for musical instruction for “a variety of reasons.”

“The ukulele is relatively easy to learn for children and can be used to teach various musical concepts,” she said. “The size of a ukulele is perfect for young children, and it is fun for children to play as a group. Additionally, ukuleles are generally affordable for families. We hope that students will fall in love with the ukulele in music class and their families will be able to purchase one and incorporate more music into the home.”

The ukuleles will be available to the Buckingham music teacher for the duration of the instruments’ lifespans and will be incorporated into musical instruction for at least five years. Richard noted that “students will learn the instrument nearly their entire time at BES.”

The musical project has been in the works since the fall of 2024. Richard said that the goal of creating such a program is to instill an enduring impact on the school and the students themselves. Organizers also hope the initiative will provide young learners access to new experiences to bolster their education.

“Music education enhances cognitive development and academic performance while building discipline, collaboration, and confidence,” said the community engagement director. “The ukulele is particularly accessible — easy to learn and less intimidating than other instruments. By investing in both instruments and professional instruction, we’re creating a sustainable, replicable model that maximizes long-term impact while reinforcing the importance of arts education in preparing students for success.”

BES was chosen as the program’s pilot school in part because music teacher Emely Martin was interested in integrating ukuleles into classroom instruction. Martin was also a former student of Anderson, allowing for a smooth collaboration.

While Buckingham will be the first school to incorporate ukuleles, initiative spearheaders hope to expand throughout Delmarva. Richard said the mission  offer the project to at least one school per academic year, focusing on elementary schools. However, she added that they will also consider general music programs in middle schools.

The program leads are confident that the ukulele instruction will enrich BES’s music curriculum and offer a new outlet for student expression. Per the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation’s status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donors have provided the funding for this initiative and the organization’s additional work.

“Our arts education programs and other Arts Access Initiative efforts are made possible thanks to this vital support, which helps us ensure that the arts remain accessible to all,” Richard said.