Theft at Army Conference

MikeMilnarik · Post by **MikeMilnarik** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:16 pm

Hello All,

I didn't see anyone else post this.

Evidently a few of the vendors at the Army Conference had items stolen. I (TubaStudio.com) had a Gold Mike Finn 1 mouthpiece stolen, and I understand that a mute got stolen, as well as a TUBA from Dillon Music.

The mouthpiece I had stolen pales in comparison to the tuba that Dillon lost! Anyone know what kind of tuba it was so that we can keep an eye out for it?

Anyone hear anything?

Mike Milnarik

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:18 pm

disappointing and disgusting...

UDELBR · Post by **UDELBR** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:21 pm

And on an army base, too??

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:49 pm

... it's not like a tuba just follows you home by itself.

JCradler · Post by **JCradler** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 2:37 pm

The exhibit room is crowded and noisy. 4 exits and instruments and people coming and going... a recipe for this kind of thing. Theft....THEFT!!!! Really, really upsetting.
Is this enough to scare off vendors/exhibitors? I don't know, but I'll definitely feel differently about visiting exhibit rooms from now on.
This shouldn't happen anywhere, much less at an event where most all of the participants pride themselves on their unique sense of community and friendship.
On a positive note, the conference was again an excellent event. Congratulations to TUSAB and thank you for putting on such a good show.

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:24 pm

I am sure someone from Dillon will post information about the horn in a few days. Until then, I am not sure posts about this subject are appropriate unless you know all of the information.

As for scaring vendors away, I don't think this will happen. 99.9% of the people attending the conference are honest and the dealers very much appreciate this! So honest in fact, there were a few people who had brought pieces back to my booth that they had picked by accident!

Stealing, especially a horn, hurts the customer a great deal. As mentioned above, it is possible less horns will be there to play next year. Maybe a dealer will decide not to go. Or maybe the prices will have to up to cover the cost of stolen property.

With all of the above being said, we had a very successful conference and appreciate the great support the the tuba community has given Cimarron Music Press in the last two years. Rebuilding a company has been a long, time consuming and sometimes hard process.

Because of this support we will continue to grow. This growth will include a commission of a new tuba quartet composed by a good friend to our community, bringing many pieces that been out-of-print for a long period of time back into print and adding many new pieces to the catalog!

Wishing everyone well,

MikeMilnarik · Post by **MikeMilnarik** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:34 pm

I can't speak for the other vendors, but I know it doesn't scare me off. We (the individual businesses) will just need to keep a closer eye on things.

I don't feel there is anyone to blame but the person(s) that stole the equipment.

Tuba and euphonium players are a great group of people. Usually very laid back and friendly. (I was going to insert something about trumpet players here, but decided not to.)

Anyway, an event like this would be the last place I'd worry about something like this. But it can happen.

If Matt Walters happens to read this, please give us details on the horn that was stolen. If it was indeed a Miraphone BBb, serial number, condition etc.

Mike Milnarik

KevinMadden · Post by **KevinMadden** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 9:28 pm

bloke wrote:
RANT

I feel it is very unfortunate that some members of my generation have created that stereotype for the rest of us. I recall that for years when I was a younger child in ANY store i would always get the stern "keep your hands in your pockets lest you break something, we can't afford to buy it" from my parents. So on the few rare occasions when I'm in a situation like a trade show or at a vendor's booth with instruments I'm always certain to ask before I pick it up and I carry it like my life depended on it. Its just not cool to saunter up to someones wares and damage something. I feel if you damage it, you bought it.

Mark N. · Post by **Mark N.** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:00 am

These thefts truly disgust me as well. This is why I am never offended by any exhibitor asking for a driver's license or other ID card to hold while I am trying out an instrument or accessory. I hope all will take care of itself and the victims will recover their losses and the perps will be caught.

The Army conference exhibits are always terrific, I hope this year's events don't change the ability to try so many fine horns, mouthpieces, etc... from such great vendors.

Mark

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:15 pm

Info from Dillon Music can be found here:

viewtopic.php?t=19287&sid=50f0decc18eab ... 02becd9550

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:10 pm

snorlax wrote: Doc and Bloke, dis heer kollij perfesser sees EVERY DAY the destructive consequences of that book, the parents (and teachers) who heeded its disastrous advice...and the resulting children who think they are 100% perfect and above criticism.
Unconditional self-esteem, my a$$!!!!

Isn't that the truth?!

Lee Stofer · Post by **Lee Stofer** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:59 pm

One small note - of the 5 or so years that I have been exhibiting at the conference, this is the first where there were no name tags from registration. I'd like to see them return. If someone is lurking around the exhibits without one, then we might be tipped-off about their intentions. I plan to continue to exhibit at this fine event, and I hope that Dillon Music can recover this instrument.

My thanks to Bob Powers, Don Palmire, Aaron Lovely, and all the other folks who made the Conference a reality.