Kent Music is teaming up with a local company which specialises in musical instruments for schools to promote Music Plus Digital, a new programme designed to make teaching whole class ukulele lessons fun, easy and accessible to schools across the country.

DJM Music, based in Paddock Wood, Kent, will be demonstrating Music Plus Digital at Music Education Expo at Olympia, London, on February 25 and 26, with live demos by musician Jake Painter, the presenter of the video lessons package, at stand H8 in the technology hall.

Managing director Darren Mennie said: “We are very excited to work in association with Kent Music as the sole distributor of Music Plus Digital, which covers an entire year’s worth of ukulele tuition incorporating key music skills and national curriculum outcomes based towards Key Stage 2.

“Schools can buy just Music Plus Digital or combine it with our ukulele package. Tuners, music stands and straps are also available so we can tailor the package to what the individual school requires.”

Peter Bolton, chief executive of Kent Music, said: “Our two-year trial has shown that Music Plus Digital can be of enormous benefit to teachers, whether or not they have specialist music training. We believe that every child should have the chance to learn a musical instrument and Music Plus Digital gives schools a cost-effective option for making high quality, whole-class music education more inclusive.”

Music Plus Digital enables non-specialist classroom teachers to work with professional instrumental teachers to lead whole class lessons in playing the ukulele, using specially-commissioned catchy and engaging songs for children to play and sing, together with fun and exciting characters for children to learn with.

The 30-week programme is aimed at children aged 7 to 11. It consists of 15 digital lessons, each up to 40 minutes long, interspersed with 15 “live” lessons delivered by a professional ukulele teacher.

The programme’s website also features a selection of free resources available to all, including chord charts, notation, tabs, backing tracks and repertoire for the ukulele.

Jake, a London-based session musician, who has recorded with Paloma Faith, Culture Club and Vampire Weekend, presents the online lessons. He said: “The ukulele is becoming the most popular instrument in primary schools and Music Plus Digital also helps schools to cover Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, using sound educational principles, such as use of notation, pitch, composition and rhythm. After a year, students should be able to play some chords and have a good grasp of singing, notation, melody and composition.”