Demand for tubas and large brass bands that use them are behind a recent string of burglaries at high schools in Southern California.

 

Dozens of the bulky instruments have been stolen in recent months from areas schools, including Bell High School, South Gate High School, Centennial High School, Huntington Park High School and Fremont High School.

 

School officials say the thefts are motivated by the growing popularity of banda, a traditional Mexican music that is centered on tubas, each of which can cost from $2,000 to $7,000. Banda’s gain has turned out to be marching bands’ loss as schools scramble for donations to replenish their tuba supplies.

 

Ten years ago, Fremont High had 13 sousaphones, large brass instruments similar to tubas; the last one was stolen in June.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

‘Tuba Raids’ Plague Schools in California (by Ian Lovett, New York Times)

A Rash of Tuba Thefts at Southland High Schools (by Sam Quinones, Los Angeles Times)