THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb
Growing up Black in rural North Carolina, Ray McMillian’s life is already mapped out. If he’s lucky, he’ll get a job at the hospital cafeteria. If he’s extra lucky, he’ll earn more than minimum wage. But Ray has a gift and a dream—he’s determined to become a world-class professional violinist, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his mother, who wants him to stop making such a racket; not the fact that he can’t afford a violin suitable to his talents; not even the racism inherent in the world of classical music.
When he discovers that his great-great-grandfather’s beat-up old fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, all his dreams suddenly seem within reach. Together, Ray and his violin take the world by storm. But on the eve of the renowned and cutthroat Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—the violin is stolen, a ransom note for five million dollars left in its place. Ray will have to piece together the clues to recover his treasured Strad . . . before it’s too late. With the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s great-great-grandfather asserting that the instrument is rightfully theirs, and with his family staking their own claim, Ray doesn’t know who he can trust—or whether he will ever see his beloved violin again.
The winner of the competition begins her performance at the 2:28 mark.
What do you think about underrepresented communities (BIPOC etc.) performing in the classical music world?
Ray knows he is an excellent violinist without the Strad, and he would never sell it for money; why, then, is getting the Strad back such an all-consuming objective for him?
Whenever Ray is challenged, he returns to the memory of his Grandma Nora in her pink house coat. What do you think of this?
Ray also finds light in Janice, his mentor. What do you think Ray might have done differently if Janice hadn't approached him about music school, especially given his mother's influence?
Ray's first experience with direct racial discrimination--where a person tells him his skin color means he deserves less--is connected to music. How do you think this affected his choices and trajectory as a musician?
Ray had every excuse to reject the world that rejects him at every turn--particularly the family members who didn't believe in him. Why does he instead endeavor to take his grandmother's advice of staying sweet to heart?
At the same time, Ray isn't a pushover; he calls people out on their prejudices. What message does this get across to readers?
The author uses the novel to explore what it means to do what you love – but you might often be discouraged, whether by discrimination, societal expectation, or the simple fear it will never be enough. What are your thoughts on this?
Did this book change you at all? Now that you’ve read it, do you have any new perspectives as a result of reading this story?
Ray’s mother doesn’t want him to go to college or succeed in any way. Do you know people like this? How real did she seem as a character?
Race is important in the novel, but Nicole’s race is never discussed. Why is that?
Why do you think the Marks family felt so entitled to the violin?
What do you believe the solution to the disparaging numbers of musicians of color in major symphony orchestras is?
Ray’s mentor Dr Janice Stevens, guides him through his path from gifted teenager to world-class concert violinist. How important are mentors in his situation? Can you describe the mentors in your own life?
Do you agree or disagree with these statements, and why?
Alone, we are a solitary violin, a lonely flute, a trumpet singing in the dark. Together, we are a symphony.
The one student who didn’t look like or play like everyone else, got the most out of my session. That’s why I am here. I gave that young man what no one else was willing to: a chance.
You work twice as hard. Even three times. For the rest of your life. It’s not fair, but that’s how it is. Some people will always see you as less than they are. So you have to be twice as good as them.
Questions provided by the author
