Wind symphony’s instruments stolen in $50,000 driveway heist

One minute the trailer was filled with more than $50,000 worth of percussion equipment, nestled in a residential Conestogo driveway.

The next it was gone, stolen a week ago Monday in the dead of night, taking with it the hopes and dreams of the region's illustrious Wellington Wind Symphony.

It's devastating," says Sarah Coles, a musician and board member. A lot of those instruments have been around since our group formed in the early '80s.

It's just that sense of violation, that somebody would just go and purposely take it away. We never anticipated that this would happen."

The black 2018 CargoMate trailer - parked in a symphony member's driveway on Northfield Drive East - included four timpani, a bass drum and stand, full drum kit, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, cymbals in cases, trap tables, Chinese gong and stand, speakers and stands, microphones and stands, a conductor's podium, orchestral bells and stand, bar chimes and stand, and smaller instruments such as wood block, granite blocks, cowbell, bongo and maracas.

Faced with insurance claims that will take time to process, won't cover the entire cost of either instruments or trailer, and the prospect of having to borrow instruments for upcoming shows, including a Dec. 11 Christmas concert, the symphony started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money.

At press time, the total had reached about $1,500, with $48,500 yet to be raised.

Everything is gone," laments Coles. We didn't have insurance on the trailer, only on the instruments. We're scrambling to get stuff for our Dec. 11 concert."

The volunteer organization - a regional community ensemble active for more than 40 years - reported the crime to police, says Coles, but were told they didn't have much hope of finding the trailer and suggested they watch the classified ad website Kijiji in case the stolen goods turn up for resale.

If you see anyone trying to sell anything that might be from our trailer, please be in touch or alert the police," the symphony posted on its Facebook page.

We are counting on the larger musical community to help."

It's been shared hundreds of times and we've received tips from other areas of the province on listings for instruments that could be suspicious," confirms Coles, so it definitely helps to get the word out there."

For more information, go to www.wellingtonwindsymphony.ca and click on News."