The Sound of Generosity is Playing in Scottsdale Unified Schools
Local Scottsdale dentist donates musical instruments to underprivileged students

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (August 1, 2005) Students at Scottsdale Unified schools are playing a new tune thanks to the generosity of the Scottsdale Charros and a local dentist.

With the help from the Scottsdale Charros, a group of civic and business leaders who promote special events in the City of Scottsdale, and others Dr. Don Chiappetti has purchased, refurbished and donated more than 200 musical instruments to students whose parents cannot afford to rent or buy them.

Instead of simply writing a check to a charity, Dr. Chiappetti, who has been a member of the Charros for 42 years, decided to purchase and donate the instruments to schools five years ago when he started his charity.

“With music and fine arts programs facing budget cuts, I wanted to create a charity that would have a lasting impression on the students,” said Dr. Chiappetti.

For the first four years, Dr. Chiappetti relied on word of mouth for donations. Last year he approached the Scottsdale Charros for help. The Charros donated $10,000 to Dr. Chiappetti which went to the purchase of 79 much needed instruments.

Before the students receive the instruments, Roger Anderson, a band and orchestra teacher at Tavan Elementary School and Arcadia Learning Neighborhood Center, assists Dr. Chiappetti in researching and purchasing instruments on e-Bay. Once purchased, Dr. Chiappetti takes the instruments to a local string and band instrument shops to be repaired at a discount rate. An average repair cost is anywhere from $65 to $300 depending on the instrument.

Dr. Chiappetti also works with Scottsdale Unified School District personnel to coordinate which schools will receive the instruments before he presents them to the band/strings instructor.

“I’ve always had a love of music,” said Dr. Chiappetti. “Ever since I was a child playing the clarinet, music has influenced my life.”

Additionally, Dr. Chiappetti has an impact among the band/strings students at Navajo Elementary School. In the spring of 2004, a fire at the school destroyed a number of string instruments. That week, he received a call from a woman who wanted to donate six violins and a viola. Dr. Chiappetti worked hard to get the instruments to the students before their concert in May and was honored for his efforts.