Edinburgh music group's van stolen with sousaphones and drums

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 15:25 · Archive

A white Ford Transit van carrying nearly all of Oi Musica's samba drums, two sousaphones and other equipment was stolen between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

An Edinburgh community music group has appealed for help after their white Ford Transit van was stolen with nearly all their equipment inside. The van, nicknamed 'Big J', was taken between Sunday evening and Monday morning from Portobello. It contained nearly all the group's samba drums, two sousaphones, and other equipment and personal belongings.

Oi Musica, founded in 2011, specialises in large brass ensembles, street drumming and outdoor performance. It aims to use street band music to bring people and communities together. The group's main project is Brass Blast, an award-winning after-school programme offering young people, particularly disadvantaged youth in East Edinburgh, the chance to learn instruments and play in a band.

Co-director Olivia Furness told BBC Radio Scotland: 'I'm absolutely gutted, you know that sinking feeling that you get when you realise something like this has happened. I'm absolutely devastated.' She said the group was trying to keep going by using borrowed equipment and managed to continue its Tuesday Brass Blast session. The group had events planned including performances with primary school children in Greenock.

How it is being reported

• Stolen sousaphones and samba drums leave music group 'absolutely devastated'An Edinburgh-based community music group is appealing for help after a van carrying their musical equipment was stolen.BBC Edinburgh East And Fife · 29 Oct, 14:40
• Edinburgh youth music group left 'absolutely gutted' after van stolen with equipment insideThe van was stolen while parked on a Portobello streetEdinburgh Evening News · 27 Oct, 19:00

In this story: Oi Musica · Edinburgh · Olivia Furness · Portobello · Greenock

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