The UCCS Kazoo ensemble, Plastitones, won nationals at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., on March 29.  
 
Kazoo performance is a new musical Bachelor of Fine Arts program offered by the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Led by musical mentor Kazoo Kid, the Kazoo Ensemble swept the competition, taking first, second and third place.  
 
After its premiere in Fall 2023, the kazoo major has rapidly gained popularity among UCCS students. Professor Brett Ambler designed the course to offer rigorous training in kazoo technique and musicality. “Kazoo is complicated. It requires extensive training in breathwork. It’s not easy to make that little piece of plastic sing,” Ambler said.  
 
Ambler found fame in his younger years with his 1989 hit, “You On Kazoo.” Dubbed “Kazoo Kid,” Ambler inspired tens of children to pursue their kazoo dreams.  
 
The Kazoo Ensemble is split into four sections: soprano, alto, baritone and bass. “To have a shot at nationals, we needed to amplify our musicality. Those high notes aren’t easy to hit; by nailing those, our soprano guaranteed our winning spots,” Ambler said. 
 
Under the stage lights of the famous Kennedy Center, the Plastiones performed a “Glee” inspired mash-up of “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Gold Digger.”  
 
“I didn’t think that combo would work, but they killed it. A hip-hop song on kazoo? Revolutionary,” Nancy Stringleader said. Stringleader, a world-famous recorder player, judged the competition alongside Lindsey Stirling and Boy with Uke.  
 
Despite the “don’t run, jump or dance” warning he endorsed on “You On Kazoo,” Ambler decided to add choreography into the Plastitones nationals set. “I knew it was a risk. I’ve lost a few good friends who tried to dance with kazoos, but … it was a risk I was willing to take,” Ambler said.  
 
Plastitones member Martha Temple, a sophomore dual interpretive dance and kazoo major, choreographed the dance. “My biggest challenge was finding a substitute for jazz hands,” Temple said, “It’s just not possible with a kazoo.” Temple is the sole soprano of the group and intends to pursue kazoo performance professionally.  
 
The performance included a surprise solo for Ambler. “He’s a legend,” Linus McPeterson, the baritone of the group, said. “Getting to share the stage with the Kazoo Kid? Life changing.”  
 
Ambler intends to take eight students to nationals next semester, doubling the size of the field of competitors.    

Editor’s Note: Scribble is the satirical section of the Scribe. 

Photo courtesy of Walmart.