Playing music with heart
for Whatcom County
Upcoming Concerts
Click on the event title for more details.
About the Community Ukulele Players
The Community Ukulele Players have been joyously serenading Bellingham and Whatcom County for more than 15 years. Their vocal and instrumental repertoire spans genres, moods and decades from American folk to contemporary standards. Celebrated as one of the premiere local ukulele ensembles, the Community Ukulele Players has attracted growing crowds at venues including The Whatcom Museum, the Mount Baker Theater, The Firehouse Arts and Events Center and the Jansen Art Center.
About Vintage Strings
A smaller and uniquely creative ensemble, Vintage Strings romps through pop, folk, standards and original tunes, with an intriguing interplay of vocals, ukulele and other instruments including bass, keyboard and guitar. Under the musical leadership of Linda Henderson players include: Floyd Lewis, Helen Arntson, Margie Kimberley, Carla Bean, Hillary Miller, and Carla Jennings. Since their debut in 2022, Vintage Strings has been performing with Community Ukulele Players as well as independently at events, parties and fundraisers.
Linda Henderson, Musical Director
Linda Henderson enjoyed a musical childhood, from early piano and flute lessons through choir and band participation in high school. After earning a BS in Music Education, she taught music for several years at all grade levels. During her second career in community health services, she moonlighted as a keyboardist with various SoCal rock bands, and toured several seasons with the 360 Band in Taiwan. Now retired in Bellingham, Linda plays keyboard and sings backup vocals with The Birdhouse Band and Vintage Strings, appearing regularly at community and private events. She is proud to serve for the past five years as Musical Director for the Community Ukulele Players, bringing the joy of music to their audiences.
Over the Years from Linda Henderson
“What an absolute delight it was to hear you at the Jansen Art Center! Your group is amazing, fun, entertaining and so musical.” — Karen Visser, Music Studio and Performance Coordinator, Jansen Art Center. Karen is a long-standing member of the Bellingham Symphony.
The Jansen Center has been one of the venues we love to play, raising funds for their programming events. Since we started performing and raising funds for non-profit organizations in Whatcom County, our audience size has increased to often standing room only. Our mission is to create shows and performances that entertain, inspire; support the arts, culture, literacy, and other non-profits who strengthen the overall health and well-being of our community through our requests for donations.
We achieve this by playing good music that warms the heart and engages our audiences. Over the years we have had a number of high points, including a fund raiser for Joan Airoldi at the Deming Library, a pre-show performance at the Mount Baker Theatre for renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and a sold-out crowd at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center. Our annual event at the Whatcom Museum “Deck Old City Hall” fills the Rotunda Room, which is decorated with holiday trees.
Many thanks to our supporters who allow us to bring our joy of music to the community and we look forward to bringing our music to the community. Look for us at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center in the summer and winter, out of home living residences around the city, and farmer’s markets. And be sure to watch for our small ensemble, Vintage Strings that performs a variety of pop, jazz, folk and some original music by local composer, Scott Henderson.
Book Us
Community Ukulele Players share their love of music and passion for ukulele with Bellingham and Whatcom county. We are an acoustic group that utilizes sound amplification that works best indoors. We play in a variety of settings, including senior care facilities. In the past we have played for donations that support a wide range of local charities.
For booking information, please contact Musical Director, Linda Henderson. See contact information below.
Join Us
Musicians interested in joining the Community Ukulele Players must be able to play the ukulele and sing at a medium to advanced level and commit to weekly rehearsals and monthly performances.
For more information, contact Linda Henderson, Musical Director, to discuss an audition.
Images of the Community Ukulele Players
Community Ukulele Players playing with Jake Shimabukuro in the Mount Baker Theater Member’s Lounge, November 2023