Helping the next generation pursue their dreams - Simple Plan guitarist donates his guitar to the Université de Sherbrooke's School of Music

SHERBROOKE, QC, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - On this International Music Day, the Université de Sherbrooke played host to an invited dignitary, none other than Jean-François (Jeff) Stinco, lead guitarist of the popular rock band Simple Plan, who came to donate his guitar to the School of Music in person. This magnanimous gesture will give a student the opportunity to use a high-quality instrument during his university career.

"Handing over my own guitar, which I used as a student of the Montréal conservatory, is a symbolic gesture," explained Jeff Stinco. "I couldn't imagine passing it on to anyone not in the next generation of musicians." He went on to say that "this guitar let me develop my potential and I hope that it will do the same for the student receiving it. The guitar holds a great deal of sentimental value for me. It has a number of outstanding qualities. Its high level of precision charmed me and the guitar has the gift of amplifying what the player asks of it."

Jean-François Desrosby, lecturer at the Université de Sherbrooke and a schoolmate of Jean-François Stinco, convinced the guitarist to donate his instrument to the Université de Sherbrooke. "A musician's instrument is often more than just a simple tool: it's the medium used to relate his or her soul to the public," explained Jean-François Desrosby. "I am quite pleased that Jeff so enthusiastically agreed to donate his valuable instrument to the Foundation so as to benefit future generations. I also hope that the instrument's own history will inspire recipients to pursue their dreams every time they pick up the guitar."

During the press conference, Jeff Stinco gave a final performance with his guitar before presenting it to Étienne Déziel, the classical-guitar student that will use the instrument throughout his entire undergraduate career. A highly symbolic gesture, representing the transfer of knowledge from the mentor to the student. The student then performed, playing the celebrated musician's guitar for the first time. "I am so grateful to be able to play a guitar that belonged to a star recognized the world over," related Déziel. "I never had enough money to travel outside Quebec. My love for music and guitar probably comes from the fact that, as a music student, you "travel" to nearly every country in the world, through every time period, and in every language. The guitar is my ticket to low-cost travel."

Anick Lessard, Vice Dean of Education and Development in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, praised Jean-François Stinco's gift, saying that "Mr. Stinco's guitar is the first-ever given to the School of Music and it stands out as a major, valuable contribution to our bank of instruments. An instrument is a musician's partner. Our students having access to instruments like this one gives them an opportunity to become better musicians."

"We are very honored indeed," stated François Dubé, the Foundation's Executive Director, "to have received this gift from an internationally renowned musician. Moreover, we thank him for believing in seeing that upcoming generations get trained on high-quality instruments. The support of donors such as Mr. Stinco is crucial for the Université de Sherbrooke to maintain its tradition of innovation and excellence in order to attract and retain the best students."

SOURCE: UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE

Isabelle Huard, Media-Relations Officer
Communications Department | Université de Sherbrooke
819-821-8000, extension 63395 | [email protected]

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