Posted on Oct 13, 2020
The Langley Ukulele Ensemble started in the Langley School District during the 1970’s when the ukulele was incorporated as part of the music offerings in the District. 
 
In 1980, Peter Luongo joined the group as an assistant director and assumed the lead role shortly thereafter. He has been the group’s director for all, or part of every year since. His efforts and infectious personality contributed greatly to the ongoing popularity of the instrument in schools and to the recognition of the community of Langley as the “Ukulele Capital of Canada.”
 
The Langley Ukulele Ensemble’s composition changed quite dramatically over its 33 years. In the early 1980’s it was a group of about 15 children aged 12 to 15 years. During the mid 1990’s it grew to 30 members with members ranging in age between 13 and 25 years. Between 2000 and the present the group limited its membership to between 20 and 25 members.
 
Every group must start somewhere: The Langley Ukulele Ensemble began with performances in the local community for seniors, school groups, and clubs. As their repertoire expanded and the skill level developed, they received invitations to perform at music educators’ conferences and in communities through out Western Canada.
 
The ensemble’s first big break came in 1984/85 when the BC Television News reported on the story that the Langley Ensemble was off to Hawaii to share their ukulele skills with the Hawaiians. This was followed with stories in both major newspapers as well as numerous radio interviews.
 
The Langley Ukulele Ensemble’s regular visits to Hawaii are well documented: The group is well known in the Islands and attract large audiences during their annual performance tours to The Sheraton Waikiki Resort and at the Hawaii International Ukulele Festival (since 1994). 
 
The Ensemble’s travels have included performance tours nationally and internationally. They have toured across Canada to the Maritimes on 4 separate occasions and have been featured performers at the Stratford Summer Music Festival on 3 separate occasions.  The group have also had many trips to the United States. They regularly visit Washington State, Oregon, and California. 
 
They have performed for Rotary clubs in Florida, San Antonio, and New Orleans, and at the New York Ukulele Festival in 2012. In 2004 the ensemble performed in Japan and future include tours to Australia and Europe.
 
A milestone in the LUA history occurred in September 2013 when Peter Luongo retired and turned over the directing responsibility to former ensemble member, his son Paul.