Volusia Community Symphony recovering after equipment theft

Volusia Community Arts, a nonprofit organization that organizes the Volusia Community Symphony in addition to other groups, is replacing thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment that was stolen in January. The theft knocked the group down, but generous donations have helped them get back on their feet.

Now, the group is preparing for its first public concert since the instruments and equipment were stolen.

In January, Volusia Community Arts’ trailer was parked outside the West Volusia Shrine Club at 272 W. Taylor Road in DeLand. The group had been parking there for three years with no problems, but all it took was once for the group to lose $30,000 to $40,000 in percussion equipment and other materials.

"It was pretty much what Volusia Community Arts owned," Executive Director Traci Flumer told The Beacon. "It was the large stuff our people would normally bring back and forth."

That included music stands, a conductor's podium and percussion equipment, including timpani drums, a bass drum and a drum set.

But when the nonprofit needed help, the community stepped up.

Volusia Community Arts received more than $6,000 in donations to a GoFundMe, and Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park let the organization borrow their timpani drums. The money from the GoFundMe went directly toward purchasing a new trailer.

"Right now, our main concern is that we replace what we need in order to perform," Flumer said. "We don't need a xylophone at this time to perform our show in April so at this time we’re not purchasing a xylophone."

In April, the group will perform its first private concert since the theft, and the first public concert will be held May 6. That show, titled "A Night At The Movies," will feature the iconic themes from movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and more.

More information about that concert will be available soon, and tickets will be available for purchase one month in advance.

For more information about Volusia Community Arts, or to donate, visit their website, www.volusiaarts.org.

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