Chorus trailer stolen before holidays

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - You've heard of 'The Year Without A Santa Clause.' Well, this might be the year without a Christmas concert.

Police say thieves stole a trailer full of instruments from a Chesapeake church parking lot. It happened at the Unity Renaissance Church off Eden Way.

The trailer belonging to the 'Sounds of Joy' chorus was parked behind the church where they practice. The chorus bought it with money from donations accumulated over a 10-year period.

"No one is paid," said Joan Kennedy, the music director. "We're not government funded. We're not church funded. We're not funded."

Inside the trailer, the chorus kept a treasured piano, lights, custom made risers, and special seats for those who can sing for longer than they can stand.

"We sing because we're happy and we're happy because we sing!" said Donna Corbet, a soprano in the chorus.

Corbet saw the trailer pull away, as she looked out the window during Bible class on October 24. The next day, the man who brings the trailer to the shows came up to her to ask where it was.

"And I said, 'What do you mean? Where's the trailer? I thought you picked it up yesterday?" And, he said, 'No, I didn't pick up the trailer.'"

And what makes the loss more upsetting is the upcoming schedule, full of Christmas concert after Christmas concert.

"It's not just a stand up concert. We try to do show stuff, a little yada yada yada kind of stuff," laughed Kennedy. "And, it's just really heartbreaking to think we're not going to be able to give a complete show this Christmas."

But they practice anyway, because they pray God has a plan, and they just don't know it yet.

"Please bring the trailer back." said Kennedy. "Please. Please. Please!"

The white trailer was unmarked, specifically so it would not be attractive to thieves. The pick up truck that hauled it away was also white, but Corbet could not give a better description than that.

If you have any information, call Chesapeake police.