The Fountain Hills High School band is in desperate need of new drums and tubas to replace the 12-year-old, worn out ones that are currently being used, and funding is not available to cover the costs.

When Allen Fossenkemper and The OK Chorale Trio heard this from high school band director Lynn Truby, they immediately decided to see what they could do to help find the $50,000 needed for these instruments.

“We have an incredible band and music program at our high school and they have nowhere to turn but to the good people of Fountain Hills,” Fossenkemper said.

“We, as a community, can make this happen. Studies have shown how vitally important the arts, and especially music, are to a quality education.”

Over the past eight years, The OK Chorale has performed dozens of benefit shows for the high school music program and, as a member of the Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Association (FHCCA), Fossenkemper immediately contacted its leadership to ask for direction with this fundraising problem.

FHCCA forwarded the plea to Dwight and Laura Johnson, who manage the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation.

“This was just the kind of program that the foundation was set up to help,” said Dwight Johnson. “It involves a need with our children and our community.”

The Johnsons pledged $25,000 as a matching grant with the hopes that community members will contribute the remaining funds.

The OK Chorale has already secured some donations, but many more are needed in order to achieve the full $25,000 of matching funds offered by the Johnsons.

Individuals or organizations that would like to help with this cause are asked make a check out to FHCCA/Band Instrument Fund and send it to P.O. Box 18254, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269. The FHCCA is a 501(c) 3. All contributions are tax deductible and a public recognition of your generosity will be made.

For additional information, contact Allen Fossenkemper at fossenkemper@gmai.com or 480-707-2476. Band Director Lynn Truby may be reached at ltruby@fhusd.org.