Singapore’s top music stars, including JJ Lin, Benjamin Kheng, Shabir Sulthan, Awi Rafael, and Taufik Batisah, have pledged their signed guitars to support the Gift a Guitar programme, part of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. The initiative aims to provide underserved youths with guitars, mentorship, and performance opportunities at Sing60 this December. Adding a unique twist, the LEGO Group has crafted a one-of-a-kind playable bass guitar from LEGO bricks for the auction.
The proceeds from the auction will directly support the Gift a Guitar programme, equipping 600 youths aged 13 to 20 with instruments, structured lessons, and a platform to showcase their talents. JJ Lin, who donated his Martin D-45 guitar, expressed his hope to inspire young people to find their voice through music. “When I first held a guitar as a teenager, it opened up a world where I could dream, express myself, and connect,” Lin said.
The initiative was inspired by Danny Loong, CEO and Founder of Timbre Group, who received a guitar from his father at 16, sparking his musical journey. Loong’s vision for Gift a Guitar is to provide young people with the same encouragement and opportunity to explore music. “It’s about giving young people encouragement, a voice, and the chance to discover what music can mean in their lives,” Loong stated.
The Gift a Guitar initiative, launched by SGMUSO in partnership with The Rice Company Limited, invites youths to sign up for the programme, with selected participants receiving guitars and professional lessons. The initiative not only aims to nurture musical talent but also to build confidence and community among young people.
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