The national charity Youth Music has thanked Faith Guitars today for its donation of a Faith Venus guitar which has been autographed by Mary Chapin Carpenter and many other performers at this year’s Cambridge Folk Festival. The guitar will be auctioned later to raise funds in support of Youth Music’s work with children in challenging circumstances. These include young people living with disability, poverty, mental health issues or in care.
350 Youth Music projects around the country support the development of practical, creative music-making skills of every possible style and technique, with activities including singing, songwriting, instrument learning, music production and performance. 75,000 children and young people up to the age of 25 benefit every year from attendance at the projects supported by the charity. As well as helping young people to develop musically, the projects also improve their personal and social skills, boosting educational and career prospects.
Performers at this year’s Cambridge Folk festival lined up in the MOJO signing tent to add their autograph to the guitar. Other signatories include Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, Lady Maisery, Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, and Blazin’ Fiddles. International acts include Ireland’s Imelda May, Baaba Maal from Senegal, the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans and the transnational Världens Band originating from Sweden.
Youth Music’s major fundraising initiative is Give a Gig, which invites musicians and bands of all genres to put on a gig, or donate some of the proceeds of a gig, to support Youth Music’s work. To date, gigs have been staged across the country at venues ranging from small pubs and churches to major music venues. Gigs can be registered at www.giveagig.org.uk
Matt Griffiths, CEO, Youth Music said: “We really appreciate the support of the music industry and are especially grateful to Faith Guitars for donating this lovely instrument. It’s now set to become a wonderful collector’s item with so many great artists autographing it.”
Alex Mew, Associate Director, Faith Guitars said: “Making music is good for society and good for the soul, and we’re delighted to be able to support the good work done by Youth Music. We hope this guitar can help raise valuable funds to further the organisation’s efforts.”
Info: www.youthmusic.org.uk and www.faithguitars.com