For the six musicians of the new music ensemble Citywater, it is clear that no good deed goes unpunished.

That much became evident during the final concert of its Furlough Friday concert series last month when a vibraphone was stolen from the group.

And now the cash-strapped ensemble is on the hook to replace the instrument - which belongs to California State University, Sacramento - to the tune of $5,000.

It was not the way the ensemble had hoped to close its concert season, especially the Friday concert series that gave state workers a chance to attend concerts at a reduced rate.

But that altruistic aim ran into the baser side of human nature June 17, when the large vibraphone was left unattended for a few minutes outside midtown Sacramento's St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where the ensemble had performed.

"It was a great concert, and probably the best concert we've ever performed," said Cathie Apple, flutist with Citywater.

After the concert, the 65-pound Yamaha YV-3000 vibraphone was wheeled out the back of the church and left next to Citywater percussionist Ben Prima's van while ensemble members went back inside for more instruments.

"The instrument was left in such a way that it was really easy to wheel away," Apple said.

She believes someone may have cased the concert for an instrument theft.

"It's not like you just drive up and say 'Oh, look ... what could that be?' "

The six musicians fanned out around a 10-block area looking for the instrument.

So far, leads on the theft have been few. Members of the group have been scouring Craigslist musical instrument sale postings in Sacramento and San Francisco, and have been canvassing local pawn shops in hopes the instrument will turn up.

The instrument has the serial number "0037" and "55232" etched into its motor. When it was last seen, it was in a light green drop cover with "CSUS" written on it.

A $500 reward was recently posted for the return of the instrument - no questions asked.

Although the instrument belongs to CSUS, Citywater remains liable for the cost of replacing the instrument.

"The cost of the instrument is a very large percentage of our yearly operating budget. It's easily more than half for sure," said Prima. The ensemble is entering its fifth year and only recently earned its nonprofit status.

Citywater's liability to replace the instrument stems from the fact that members of Citywater did not use proper protocol for borrowing an instrument from CSUS, where some of its members teach or take classes.

"I've never seen something of this size stolen, and I've worked here since 1999," said Glenn Disney, events manager at the music department of CSUS, in an email to The Bee. "Usually it's smaller instruments like a trumpet, flute or clarinet."

Disney is not sure whether the university will replace the stolen instrument.

"I believe this was one of our best vibraphones, and the one normally reserved for percussion studio use and concerts," Disney said. "So the reality may be that students will simply have to make due with what's left. ... And of course for concerts, they'll just have to use a lesser-quality instrument."

Prima is worried about the fate of the unwieldy instrument.

"The bars are made out of solid aluminum. So I have this nightmare of someone taking them to a recycling center," he said.

Information about the whereabouts of the vibraphone can be relayed anonymously to missingvibes@citywatermusic.com. Donations toward replacement of the instrument can be made to the CSUS music department. Information: (916) 278-5191.

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