C.F Martin & Co. donate guitars to LIPA

Students at LIPA are getting their hands-on some of the world’s most sought-after instruments following a donation from guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co.

The company has given LIPA five instruments, three guitars, a bass and a ukulele. They were presented by Chris Martin IV, chairman of the board and sixth-generation leader of the company.

He said: “The guitar is a challenging instrument to play and I think it's important students get a guitar that plays well. My family’s been making guitars for 193 years and I’m confident the guitars we’re donating will play well.

“I hope they’re inspired by the tone to grow as musicians and think about writing their own material because these Martin guitars are the perfecting songwriting tool.”

LIPA Principal and CEO Professor Sean McNamara welcomed the donation. He said: “Martin guitars are widely regarded as the gold standard, and having access to instruments of this quality provides our students with a valuable opportunity to further develop both their playing and their songwriting.

“This donation forms part of an ongoing relationship with Martin, which also includes the presentation of a Martin guitar to a music student at our Graduation ceremony. We look forward to building on this partnership and exploring further opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

During the visit, Chris Martin IV was joined by Martin Guitars ambassador Craig Thatcher to host a masterclass for students, where the company’s history and how the instruments had helped shape modern music was highlighted along with demos of a selection of guitars.

Craig Thatcher with LIPA's Head of Music Tim Pike. Photography: Brian Roberts

C.F. Martin & Co. donation

Guitars:

D10 Retro Road Series

OMC 10 Modern

000-X2 lefthanded

Bass:

000-CJR 10

Ukelele:

OXK Concert Uke

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