Guitarist Sean Hurwitz of Smash Mouth has donated two guitars to The Project Matters, an organization that seeks to put instruments into the hands of young musicians. Accepting the donation from Hurwitz is The Project Matters founder Karen High. Bill and Karen High lost their 19-yearold son Benjamin in 2007. The Freehold Borough couple are honoring the memory of their child, who died from a heart condition, by taking Benjamin’s love of music and helping young people to achieve their musical dreams with an organization they call The Project Matters.
Karen High said, “We believe in the importance of music. Our goal is to further the creation of music, with an emphasis on aspiring musicians age 21 and younger. Our mission is to empower, enable and encourage them to attain their creative potential.”
High said The Project Matters shares the name of the CD “Matters” by Benjamin’s band, Green Arrows.
“We believe musicians matter and that music itself benefits all of society. We are dedicated to supporting New Jersey kids with a variety of tools to help them grow musically and creatively. Providing a guitar can help get this process moving,” she said.
The Project Matters is a registered nonprofit corporation entirely dependent on contributions. The entity was formed and founded by High, who said her son “embodied all of the qualities of the young and bright rising stars” she is seeking to help with The Project Matters.
According to High, The Project Matters finds local talented musicians under 21 who are creating original music.
“A crucial element in selection is the level of dedication the artist has in pursuing a music career. The artists selected are offered a variety of assistance, including funding for education, instruments, touring and production expenses, as well as mentoring in the areas of business, artist consulting and law,” she said.
Since the inception of the organization in 2010, The Project Matters has supported four bands crossing the genres of indie rock, pop, Americana and stadium rock. It has produced five benefit shows with headliners including Cymbals Eat Guitars, Carah Faye of Shiny Toy Guns, Angel Olsen, Gold Fields and the Wrens.
Fundraising has allowed the organization to provide artists with instruments, instrument repair, studio time and other assistance, according to High.
The organization is now working on a “Guitar Days” campaign to supply young musicians with guitars. “Our goal is to tap into local and regional resources to find [used] guitars … We have and will continue to accept new guitar donations,” High said.
Specifically, acoustic guitars in playable condition are being sought.
Two guitars have been donated by Sean Hurwitz, a guitarist with Smash Mouth. High said Hurwitz reached out to her, brought the guitars across the country and met her at Lakehouse Recording Studios, Asbury Park.
“It was very exciting,” High said, explaining that Hurwitz became aware of the organization when a friend forwarded him one of the group’s newsletters.
She credited Lakehouse Recording Studios owner Jon Leidersdorff with arranging the meeting with Hurwitz.
In an email Hurwitz sent to High, the musician wrote, “For the last few years I have been wanting to get involved more in philanthropy. When I heard about this wonderful cause and the reasons behind it, I felt it was the right cause for me to get involved in. It may have started with a guitar giveaway, but I hope it becomes much more than that. I would love to give musicians what I can to help them on their way.”
High said her son, Benjamin, developed a keen interest and appreciation of music by the age of 5. He was born into a family of singers and musicians including his parents, his older brother, Matt, and his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, who all sang or played an instrument
“Music was an integral part of Ben, in his home, in the car, on TV, movies, soundtracks, computer games and church,” High said.
If an individual who wishes to donate a guitar lives in or near Monmouth County, arrangements can be made for the guitar to be picked up. Contact Karen High at [email protected] for more information to donate or to receive a guitar.