They're just four simple strings. But, placed in the right hands, there isn't much they can't do.
Members of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble will once again demonstrate the huge potential of the little instrument as they present Themes of Christmas.
Whether it's Santa Claus, snowflakes or silver bells, the most familiar sights and sounds of the holiday season will be brought to life on stage by 45 young musicians, who range in age from 13 to 20 years old.
"There are lots of classics — we're sticking with those," said LUE director Paul Luongo of the pieces the ensemble will perform during three Christmas concerts in the Lower Mainland this month.
Along with traditional arrangements of familiar tunes, they will also "spice things up with a few arrangements of songs that one wouldn't expect to hear," said Luongo.
For example, audiences will no doubt be surprised to hear the strains of Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven rising underneath Carol of the Bells.
A performance of the first and second movements of Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the Nutcracker will give the players a chance to show off the instrument's classical side.
And in what has become a tradition at LUE Christmas concerts, audiences participation will be encouraged during their rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas.
"There's quite a variety as we like to do," said Luongo.
And this year, they'll be doing it in a few different places, he added.
"We're branching out into a bit of a concert series in three communities."
The annual holiday concert performed by the Senior A and B Ensembles will culminate in Langley on the Saturday before Christmas, with performances in Abbotsford and Richmond scheduled for earlier in the month.
The first show will take place in Abbotsford on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Abbotsford Evangelical Free Church at 33218 Marshall Rd. The next will be held the following Saturday, Dec. 13, in Richmond at the South Arm United Church, 11051 Number 3 Rd. The final concert will be performed on Dec. 20 at Langley Evangelical Free Church, 20719 48 Ave.
All three concerts begin at 7 p.m.
For more information or to reserve tickets, go to langleyukes.com, call 604-340-8537 or email tickets@langleyukes.com.