Northborough – Seventeen-year-old high school senior and Northborough Troop 101 Senior Patrol Leader James Miotto has spent most of his life bringing music to people. As a trumpeter in the Boston Youth Symphony for four years, he has performed in the Central District Music Festival every year since he was an eighth-grader. He has been a part of vocal ensembles such as the Boston Children's Chorus, the Worcester Children's Chorus and the Mastersingers of Worcester since he was 9 years old.
His most recent musical endeavor, however, is bringing music to inner-city youth programs through his position on the Boston Youth Symphony Teen Council.
As Miotto considered an Eagle Scout project as a capstone to his 11 years as a Scout, it was only natural to search for a way to “pay it forward” and try to?share the experience of learning a musical instrument?with disadvantaged youth in Massachusetts.
In his “Gift of Music” project, Miotto accepts donations of gently used band and orchestra instruments from the public, then works with his fellow Scouts to clean and refurbish them. In addition to collecting the instruments from communities in Worcester and Middlesex counties, James is raising funds for professional repairs, such as pad or mouthpiece replacement for the woodwinds, by collecting returnable cans and bottles. He is also developing an instruction sheet for the care and maintenance of each instrument.
Currently his beneficiary programs include the Worcester Public Schools and a related music program for teens who have recently arrived in America. He is also working with?a music magnet school in Boston.?So far, Miotto has collected trumpets, a flute, trombones, French horns, electric keyboards, a snare drum and a number of “junior” violins. His collection is approaching 20 instruments. Miotto provides follow-up with the donators to let them know about their instrument's new owner.
Miotto will be attending Williams College in Western Massachusetts this fall and hopes to continue his work helping other youth find the joy of music as he continues his own music studies.
To donate an instrument, contact Miotto at [email protected] or call 774-285-9528 with any questions or to arrange a pickup. Tax receipts will be provided. In addition, Miotto is collecting returnable cans and bottles.
