WOULD-BE guitar players across the Vale who don’t have access to an instrument could get the opportunity thanks to an Evesham musician.
Matt Bate, who teaches singing and guitar as well as performing around the world has just given 20 preloved guitars to Wallace House Community Centre.
It is the culmination of a two-year project that has seen him pass on more than 100 instruments to people who want to learn how to play.
The idea came about after a number of people contacted him saying that they were keen to have music lessons but couldn’t afford an instrument.
Matt’s appeal on social media for unwanted guitars clearly struck a chord and resulted in him being deluged with donations.
“It was one of those fun ideas that really took off thanks to social media – it just snowballed,” he told the Observer.
“I had the realisation a couple of years ago that there must be a lot of guitars that weren’t being used – in lofts or getting dusty as ornaments.
“Instead of just leaving them there I wanted to give them a new lease of life and rehome them to people that really wanted to play but perhaps can’t afford one”.
Matt, who also works as music producer, started learning to play the guitar about age nine.
“Music has always been a big part of my life and I absolutely love teaching, ” he said.
“I’m trying to give a little bit of my passion for music back to the community and hopefully someone will pick up a guitar like I did when I was a youngster and fall in love with it.
“I am so grateful to everyone who went into their lofts to dig out their instruments and really proud of the achievement.
“I hope it makes Evesham just that little bit more musical.”
Wallace House centre manager Sian Purton said she was ‘very grateful’ for the donation and ‘amazed’ at how many guitars that had been received. She said the plan was to offer them free to young people who were keen to learn to play.
“So much good can come of this gift and we are keen to pay it forward. It’s magical how the community can come together.
“We have a lot of people who access the centre so anyone who wants to learn can come along – just let us know. We try to be a community hub where people can connect.”
Anyone interested getting an instrument can email [email protected].
