KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Sea placed a S$650,000 winning bid for PM Wong’s signed guitar.
- The funds will support 600 underserved youth with guitars and lessons.
- The contribution boosts platforms like the Sing60 Music Festival.
From Jurong East to Pasir Ris, many families feel the pinch when it comes to giving their kids space to explore the arts. So when Sea stepped forward with a S$650,000 winning bid for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s signed guitar, the news sparked plenty of warm chatter in the community.
The donation isn’t just symbolic. It’s a sizeable push behind local efforts to help youth—especially those from lower-income households—step into music confidently.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Winning Bid | S$650,000 by Sea |
| Beneficiaries | 600 youth aged 13–19 |
| Programme | Gift a Guitar (TRCL & SGMUSO) |
| Includes | Guitar, pro lessons, mentorship |
| Extra Support | Sing60 Music Festival platforms |
How Sea’s Bid Will Be Used
The funds go directly to Gift a Guitar, a national movement run by The Rice Company Ltd (TRCL) and The Music Society, Singapore (SGMUSO). The goal is simple but meaningful: give young people access to instruments, guidance and chances to perform.
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Each of the 600 youth will receive:
- A brand new acoustic guitar
- Structured lessons taught by professional instructors
- Mentorship from experienced local musicians
For many of these teens, these opportunities would be out of reach without support. That’s why TRCL and SGMUSO describe the bid as one of the year’s most significant philanthropic contributions to youth arts in Singapore.
Why This Guitar Matters
PM Wong donated his signed guitar back in April to rally support for the movement. According to TRCL and SGMUSO, Sea’s winning bid reflects “a belief that music can create meaningful, long-term change in young lives.”
Sea’s chairman and CEO Forrest Li said that the guitar represents a shared belief in giving young people avenues to express themselves. For a company rooted in digital culture—from gaming to e-commerce—it’s a meaningful extension of their support for creative growth.
Beyond Lessons: Building Confidence Through Performance
The donation doesn’t stop at lessons. It also strengthens platforms like the Sing60 Music Festival, where youth can perform in front of real audiences.
At Fort Canning Park, during the festival’s opening night on Dec 6, a group of 60 young guitarists made their debut. Many of them came from The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. Their performance, Me and My Guitar, was an original piece written for the movement.
They shared the stage with home-grown singer Awi Rafael and SGMUSO chairman Danny Loong—a huge moment for teens who may have never imagined playing on a public stage.
What TRCL Says
Santhiya Subra, TRCL’s head of arts and community, shared that the contribution allows them to offer accessible lessons and proper support. More importantly, it helps youth “participate meaningfully in the arts,” regardless of their background.
In a city where tuition fees, rising food costs, and everyday bills weigh on families, this kind of support opens doors that many young people might otherwise never walk through.
What This Means for Singapore’s Young Musicians
The impact reaches far beyond a single auction item. The bid strengthens an ecosystem where youth can:
- Discover music without financial pressure
- Build confidence through structured learning
- Perform on recognised stages
- Form friendships and communities through the arts
And for many parents—be it in Yishun, Hougang, or Tampines—the reassurance that their children can pursue creative interests is priceless.
