2008 Session
Teachers
- Plus a special concert by Tom Petty
Students
- Steve Saranchuk
- Jeff Thomas
-
Gary Hammitt
"A+ for Fender University!! They spared no expense on creating the perfect Rock Experience for us, aside from the luxury accommodations and all inclusive treatment. Fender University tailored made each alumni experience, taking into account the individual skill levels, playing styles, musical likes & dislikes."
- Gary Hammitt
- Sean Shreder
- Paul Blackwell
- Theseus Chan
- Michael Sanchez
- Jack Logan
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Gordon Logan
"It was a rare and wonderful experience that exceeded my expectations beyond measure. It totally blew me away. Being able to share it with my brother fulfilled life-long dreams we didn't know we had. Everything was perfect, better than perfect. There was something great for each facet of my guitar geekiness, from my interest in history and vintage guitars and amps to my love of learning and love of playing."
- Gordan Logan
- Adrian Coleasa
- Javier Chapa
- Shane Ferster
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Norm Willis
"A long time ago I read an article in Outside Magazine referring to the concept of making a "life list"; you know, a sort of "bucket list". The concept being that instead of just saying "that's something I want to do some day", actually keeping a list of things like that, and most importantly, trying to do at least one of them each year. Otherwise the years flash by and all of a sudden it's too late, or you're too old, or like some of my cancer patients, you waited too long. Fender University was one of those "life list" quality things that's worth taking a chance on, maxing out the credit cards, and just going for it."
- Norm Willis
- Robert Landuyt
"The US is famous for it's warm hospitality, but you really could not have done more to make us feel welcome and at home."
- Russ Castioni
- Charles Campbell
- Phil Rich
- Calvin Hoyt
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Michael Wilson
Even though I was one of 2 guys there who had the fortune of winning their way in through a contest, I was never treated like I didn't belong, or didn't deserve to be there. On the contrary, although I don't play guitar except for a couple chords, I wasn't looked down on or shunned. I was shown what to do, how to do it and where to go in the future to truly enjoy my growing guitar playing experience. Your staff was absolutely top notch and everyone treated me like a king.
- Michael Wilson
Round Up
The 2008 graduating class of Fender University at
Fender's Corona, Calif., manufacturing facility.
With school getting back in session nationwide, Fender re-wrote the three Rs as “rehearsing, riffing and rocking” as it presented its inaugural weekend-long “Fender University” educational program, Aug. 21-24 in Corona, Calif.
And what a curriculum. Twenty students from around the nation and around the world—including Romania, Singapore, Canada and the U.K.—enrolled for four days of intensive hands-on guitar and bass instruction and total Fender immersion, all amid the Southern California environs where Fender was founded more than 60 years ago.
“What an amazing experience,” said Jennifer Burton, Fender marketing communications manager. “We couldn’t have anticipated how magical this first session of Fender University would be. It was truly an honor to be a part of something so historical. Really, it is the highlight of my professional career, and I got to experience it alongside great friends.”
Arriving students registered for Fender University that Thursday evening at their hotel, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, Calif., and received their new instruments (Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® or Jazz Bass® guitars; specified by each student before arrival). A reception and Fender presentation there also included a performance by folk-rockers Raining Jane, after which the students returned to their rooms to find Fender swag bags packed with gifts.
Bass class with Reggie Hamilton.
“It was a rare and wonderful experience that exceeded my expectations beyond measure,” said Fender University student Gordon Logan. “It totally blew me away,”
Friday’s schedule began with a tour of the Fender factory and Custom Shop in Corona, Calif., followed by lunch there with Custom Shop master builders. Afternoon activities consisted of a tour of the nearby Fender Center, with its historical “The Fender Story” exhibit and fully equipped modern recording studio, and a lecture/playing demonstration by guitarist Dweezil Zappa. That night, students were treated to a concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in nearby Irvine by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood, with VIP area access (Winwood stopped by for a personal pre-show visit).
Instruction began in earnest on Saturday at the Fender Center with a morning instrument setup class and a presentation by Anthrax bassist and Fender signature artist Frank Bello. Students then met with instructors including guitar monsters Greg Koch and Jeff Kollman and bass aces Reggie Hamilton and Tony Franklin before breaking into small groups with them for more involved musical instruction. That afternoon, students attended presentation and performances by Fender signature artist guitar mavericks John 5 and Yngwie Malmsteen. In the evening, students toured local sites important in Fender history and were given a tour of the Fender-filled Fullerton Museum by curator and noted guitar author Richard Smith.
Guitar class with Greg Koch.
Franklin noted that Fender’s own people—himself included—were as moved by the entire experience as the students were. “I spent a lot of time interacting with the students,” he said. “As a ‘professor,’ I was giving them bass instruction and musical pointers, but on a deeper level I was connecting with them as a fellow fan of Fender.”
Sunday was another non-stop day, with morning study hall back at the Fender Center and a home-recording instruction session. Students then listened to a presentation by famous rock photographer Robert Knight, who photographed students and joined them for lunch. Afterward, guitarist/teacher Wolf Marshall gave a presentation and students prepared further with their instructors for a late-afternoon jam session. The graduation dinner and ceremony that night featured an address by guest speaker Phyllis Fender, wife of late Fender Founder Clarence “Leo” Fender, and a special guest performance by acoustic guitar master Willy Porter.
“I have never experienced so much pride and fulfillment with any other event I’ve ever worked on in my 10 years with Fender,” said John Dreyer, Fender events director.
Gallery
