Couple donates antique grand piano to MUSD

You could call it a grand donation.

Before even opening its doors, the new Performing Arts Center at Maricopa High School has received a generous gift. The state-of-the-art building will be home to a piece of American history through the donation of a Chickering grand piano builit in the late 1800s.

The antique piano was donated by former Maricopa residents Joan and Devon Walker, who recently moved back to their home state of Alaska.

“We wanted to make sure the piano was used and cared for,” Devon said. “We thought the arts program would be ideal and we knew they could use it.”

Founded in Boston in 1823, Chickering and Sons was considered the premier manufacturer of pianos in the United States before the prominence of the well-known Steinway and Sons company. The value of the piano is listed at $20,000, but Devon said appraisals for a Chickering like the one they donated can be easily as high as $60,000.

Devon said it was restored awhile back and the couple has meticulously cared for it through the years. They decided to give it to an arts program rather than transport it back to Alaska.

To help them find a deserving benefaciary, the Walkers contacted Diane Morrow, office manager for the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce, and asked her whether she knew of an entity or a person who could care for and use the piano.

Morrow replied she had someone in mind and immediately contacted Carrie Vargas, a fellow church member and founder of the Maricopa Community Theatre. Vargas, in turn, thought of the new Performing Arts Center.

“It’s going to be in such a beautiful place. How can you not put it there?” Vargas said. “I was amazed to have someone be so generous and knew the district had nothing of this magnitude.”