Deborah McCann

Stolen Violin

This is an article I am going to send to the local papers. My violin, a John Paul Lucas 2006 #198, honey color with a hint of red, split flame maple back, antiqued front,boxwood trim, rosewood high centered chinrest, Charles Peccatte bow octagonal, silver/ebony; Albert Nurmberger round bow silver/ebony; Coda Pro model and a no name pernambuco bow were all stolen when my Jaeger case was taken from my home between July 15 and Aug 3. I have been to the police (not much help), pawn and music shops, contacting schools and anyone I can think of. This happened out of Tucson, AZ. Any help you can give, please do. I am accepting all advice I can get. So here is the plea I am going to post in the local papers. Maybe you can relate if it was you.

To Whom It May Concern;
Maybe we know each other, and maybe we do not. This is to the person or persons who stole from my home. The jewelry and other items I can get past. However, my violin is something I am not doing well with the loss of.

I have played violin for over 40 years of my 52 years of life. I have celebrated weddings, birthdays, coming of age ceremonies, holidays, and funerals with my violin. It is my friend, and very much like a child in my life. Why you chose to take this from me when there were so many other things you could have taken that would have gotten you more money I do not know. I play professionally here in Tucson and in Sierra Vista. I have played across the United States. I have Muscular Dystrophy, so finding that special violin that I can play as a normal person was difficult. We celebrated with music many different religious traditions. We have brought joy to people here in Tucson and many places in Arizona. We have taught younger people how to play and to enjoy music. In addition, it is how I make my living. Money I make from playing helps me pay my rent and groceries. Without it, and with the economy as it is, I do not know how I am going to make ends meet.

By taking my friend, I now have lost a major part of my voice. Playing the violin is how I express myself best. When I am happy, or sad, it is where I go. When I grieve it is the way I gain comfort. Now all I have is this empty hole in my heart. You could not have done much worse to me than taking my violin. In a way, you have committed murder, or at the least kidnapping, even if the law does not see it that way. I am sending this as a plea that you or whomever you gave my violin to please return it. Drop it off at a church, synagogue, hospital or even the office of a school. I just want my friend home safe and sound.

Deborah McCann-Snavely
Violinist and orchestra teacher in Tucson Unified School District
dmsnavely@msn.com

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