#Japan #Music Education #Shibuya #Youth Program #Fender®

Fender® Youth Music Program: Empowering Young Musicians

Fender® has announced a philanthropic initiative aimed at enhancing music education in Japan through the Fender® Youth Music Program. This project supports light music clubs in middle and high schools across the nation, providing essential resources to nurture the next generation of musicians.

Operating out of Shibuya, Tokyo, Fender Music Corporation, led by CEO Edward `Bud` Cole, is dedicated to enriching students' musical experiences. The program focuses on providing free guitar, bass, amplifiers, and critical support from established artists in the music industry. The objective is not just to equip schools with instruments but also to inspire creativity, teamwork, and self-expression among students through music.

Key Objectives of the Program

The partnership with the National School Light Music Club Association will allow Fender® to assess the specific needs of schools, ensuring a fair and effective approach to charity. Selected schools will receive:
1. Instrumental Support: A variety of musical equipment, including electric guitars, electric basses, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, and accessories like cables, straps, picks, and stands, tailored to the school's specific preferences.
2. Specialized Music Lessons: Unique opportunities for a selected school to receive music lessons led by accomplished artists.

Edward Cole commented, "Music has the power to connect people and ignite change. At Fender, we believe in supporting musical expression and connections through instruments and music. We aspire for students to engage with music positively and freely within their light music clubs."

Why Support Light Music Clubs Now?

According to the National School Light Music Club Association, around 2,000 out of approximately 4,800 high schools in Japan have light music clubs, representing only about 40% of schools. Despite this, light music continues to be one of the most popular extracurricular activities. The value of popular music is increasingly recognized, with lessons about rock history being integrated into school curricula.

Participating in light music clubs fosters not only the joy of playing instruments but also communicative abilities, teamwork, and creativity - essential skills for future success in any field. Fender® identifies light music clubs as a fertile ground for nurturing the next generation of music culture and aims to provide tangible support to those involved in music education.

Previous Efforts and Achievements

Fender’s commitment to music education is not new. Last year, the company launched the We Love Music charity program celebrating its 75th anniversary, providing equipment to schools like Sakai City Maruoka Minami Junior High School and Tenri City Fukuzumi Junior High School. The program featured renowned artists such as MIYAVI and members of OKAMOTO’S, offering unique music lessons that invigorated the music activities at those schools.

Reports indicate that students widely engaged with music education, forming bands and actively participating in music clubs subsequently.

Application Process

Schools interested in applying to the Fender® Youth Music Program can submit their applications through the dedicated application page, ensuring that a designated staff member completes the entry. The application period is June 9, 2025, to July 7, 2025. The selected schools will be announced by July 18, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria Include:

• - Middle schools, high schools, and special support schools across Japan (public, national, and private)
• - A commitment to improving music education and light music club activities
• - Schools with existing light music clubs or those considering establishment
• - Completion of all application questions concerning music education and light music clubs

Fender is thrilled to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Japan by launching this program, strengthening its connection with the schools and music culture in the country. For more details on the application process, visit Fender's Youth Music Program.

The power of music has always been at the heart of Fender's philosophy. As they continue to innovate and support future musicians, they remain committed to sharing the joy and transformative potential of music with the world.