About MIPress Releases Detail

Nov 08, 2010

Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (MI) received more than $50,000 worth of instruments from Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Guitars for students studying in GIT, the guitar program at Musicians Institute, on PRS Day for students at MI.  Paul Reed Smith personally paid a visit to the college, along with guitarist Orianthi of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It Tour.”  She wowed over 400 students while demonstrating her new signature model PRS eguitar, the SE Orianthi.  Students joined Orianthi on stage for an impromptu jam session and accompanied her on bass, guitar and drums.

“I had a blast at the GIT PRS day meeting all of the students.  There was definitely a lot of love for playing the guitar in that room, and I hope to come back again soon,” said Orianthi.

“I loved being at GIT.  The student musicians were so receptive and enthusiastic to PRS, and it’s an incredible feeling knowing they will be part of our future,” said Paul Reed Smith.

PRS President Jack Higginbotham and MI’s Director of GIT Jude Gold spearheaded the musically inspired partnership and worked together to create a special, up-close and personal PRS Day for the students at MI.  Higginbotham and Gold worked closely to create an arsenal of the best PRS instruments for the school to share with students as they learn to make their living doing what they love.

“The event was spectacular on many levels,” said Gold.  “In Paul Smith, you have a pro-guitarist and industry pioneer who can articulate his own successes into life lessons anyone can take inspiration from, especially guitarists.  On top of that, Paul, in one of the most generous gear donations in MI history, put a truckload of his finest guitars and amps in the hands of the next generation of guitar professionals, plus brought in Orianthi, the electric guitar’s brightest young star, for an exclusive clinic.  It’s an event no MI student will ever forget.”

The donation of PRS guitars included a Custom 24, the guitar model that put PRS on the map and one that Guitar World has noted as being responsible for a “full blown American guitar renaissance” by “compelling American guitar makers to improve their game.”  Several of PRS’s newest electric models were part of the donation as well, including a Hollowbody Spruce, the retro-inspired Starla and Starla X, the 305 as well as a new Angelus cutaway PRS acoustic and several amplifiers from their new line.

About PRS Guitars

Paul Reed Smith Guitars is a leading manufacturer of high-quality instruments in Stevensville, Maryland and has been providing some of the world’s most renowned guitarists with instruments since 1985.  Highly skilled craftspeople produce hundreds of guitars each month for worldwide distribution.  PRS Acoustics and PRS Amps were introduced as new product lines in 2009 with support from renowned artists Ricky Skaggs and Derek Trucks.  Carlos Santana, Linkin Park, Orianthi, Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down, and Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge are also among the artists currently playing PRS Guitars.  For additional information please visit www.prsguitars.com

About Musicians Institute (MI)

Since 1977, Musicians Institute has been a world leader in contemporary music education, providing cutting-edge resources in its state of the art facilities located right in the heart of Hollywood, the capital of the world music industry.  Its dynamic curriculum is current, comprehensive and compatible with the needs of students who not only desire to study music, but also build a career in the music industry with the knowledge they learn on-campus.