THE GIFT OF MUSIC PROJECT (synopsis of the Project here)
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." -Aldous Huxley
OUR GOAL: The Gift of Music Project is a collaborative effort by 5 Atlanta area stringed instrument builders. The goal of this project is to donate high quality handcrafted instruments to exceptional music programs for young people. Most importantly, we seek to provide financially disadvantaged high school and college-level music students with concert-level instruments in order to help them fully realize their personal, artistic, musical, and educational goals and aspirations.
This project is our way of giving back to the music community. We see the ever-dwindling funding for music and art programs as very unfortunate and wish to offset the effects of this trend. Furthermore, we believe that socioeconomic status should not be a barrier to a student’s ability to fully develop themselves through music, or influence the likelihood of them getting into advanced curricula. Admission into college-level music programs is becoming increasingly challenging. Having a professional-level instrument is essential for success. Our efforts will ensure that driven and talented students who receive ‘Gift of Music Project’ instruments will have a fighting chance when auditioning for these programs. We also feel that this project will inspire future philanthropic involvement in both secondary and post-secondary music programs.
OUR PROCESS: Each instrument will be created solely by the 5 individuals involved in the ‘Gift of Music Project’. Each craftsman will have tasks assigned to him based on his strengths and expertise. The instrument will travel to each luthier successively until the instrument is finished and the group is pleased with the outcome. Each step will be documented in photographs that will be posted on this site. The project instrument will vary depending on the program to which it is destined. Guitars from classical to jazz, rock ‘n’ roll to bluegrass, acoustic to electric are all possibilities. The average cost of a handcrafted guitar ranges from $3,000-$8,000...not something that everyone can afford.
While our first inclination was to donate instruments directly to deserving individuals, we realized that selection criteria to determine candidates to receive the instruments would be difficult. We concluded that donating the instruments to established music programs will be more effective. Directors of these programs know their students well and are better placed to evaluate how the instrument will best serve his or her students. The director may opt to loan the instrument out for a specific periods to students, or they may decide to give it to a deserving student outright. We feel very confident that the directors of these programs will allocate the instrument in the most effective and beneficial manner possible.
OUR FIRST DONATION: The first instrument, a Grand Concert Classical Guitar, will be donated to the Weaver Academy for Performing Arts in Greensboro, NC. The head of the guitar department is Patrick Lui, a very dedicated, talented, and kind individual who has toured extensively. He has also produced many outstanding recordings, and mentored/taught hundreds of students during his tenure as a professional musician. Pat is valued customer of one of the builders in the Project and several years ago asked him if he would be able to donate an instrument to Pat’s program. At that time, Pat expressed concern that several of his students who were auditioning for college programs might be hindered by their instruments, decreasing their chances of getting into the program. Unfortunately, a donation at that time was not possible, but the thought remained.
We recently informed Pat of the project then asked if he would like to be the first program recipient of the Gift of Music Project. He was overwhelmed to say the least! He immediately told us of 3 students that are in immediate need of better caliber instruments and he was eager to help in any way possible. He agreed to film videos and record audio of performances using the instrument that will become part of gift packages returned to donors at the various donation levels. We are very excited to have Pat and his students on board with the Project. We will build an instrument that surpasses their expectations in every way possible.
OUR FUNDING: Donations collected for this campaign will be used for the following:
· - The materials for a concert level instrument are increasingly expensive as the highly sought-after tonewoods used in instrument building are becoming increasingly rare. We intend to use only the highest quality wood—requisite for creating handcrafted instruments of the highest caliber. We only use FSC certified wood for production. FSC certification ensures that the wood is being procured in a responsible, efficient, and sustainable manner.
· - Quality tuning machines are essential on a concert level instrument because of their durability, accuracy, dependability, and smooth operation. The machines will ensure that the instrument stays in tune while performing and will also ensure worry free use for the life of the instrument.
· - A sturdy hard shell case suitable for a handcrafted instrument is very important. Higher quality cases are lighter while being more durable than other cases on the market. Since it is expected that the instrument will ‘travel’ extensively, such a case will fit the instrument better ensuring that it is not damaged during shipment and transportation.
· - Transportation/delivery costs to the location of the school. Due to the delicate nature of these instruments, it is advisable to send instruments (where applicable) next day air. Humidity, temperature, and shipping employee carelessness have often been cited for destroying instruments en route to their final location. We will take every precaution to ensure this does not happen to our instruments!
· - The materials required in the fabrication of the guitar including tools and jigs, drawings and also managerial and office supplies to ensure a smooth execution of the project. All members have the basic tooling necessary for building fine instruments, but several jigs and molds are instrument-specific and will need to be purchased or fabricated. As the not too funny joke goes, “How many luthiers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one, but he will need a jig to do it!” Lame, but true!
OUR FUTURE: We are still in the beginning phase of the project. Nonetheless we are optimistic that this project will become increasingly influential and far-reaching. One of our goals is to develop this project into a program that can be shared with other luthier (stringed instrument builder) organizations around the country/world. We aim to provide them with a working template for program evaluation, fund raising, instrument building protocol, and general guidelines to help make the entire process manageable. Similarly, we will provide fledgling Gift of Music Projects with references and feedback from previous projects as to lend credibility to their cause and increase their chances for a successful launch. We expect that this outreach will result in even greater numbers of instruments in the hands of deserving students of music, and greater philanthropic donations from outside sources as awareness of this program spreads.
At this point we are only making guitars, although we plan to solicit luthiers from other disciplines, such as makers of violins, cellos, and violas, into the Project. These makers will be invaluable assets as the Project gains momentum. The Indiegogo Campaign is essential to the success of the Gift of Music Project.
We are grateful for your donations. With your help we will achieve our goal to support music education. We welcome your input and feedback about the project.
