45th ANNIVERSARY MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS® 2018
MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2017 (file photo)
MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 45th Anniversary (1974-2018) Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2018 concerts will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his mentor/teacher, the late great tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902). Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect – through William J. Bell – to all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage. Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged (for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, December 22, 1974 on “The Rink at Rockefeller Center”) by American composer Alec Wilder (died Christmas Eve, 1980). Through Wilder, TUBACHRISTMAS concerts pay grateful tribute to composers who have embraced these noble instruments with solo and ensemble compositions. Depending on the population of any given geographic area, TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract multiples of 100 participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.
MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS will be in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Sunday, December 9th at Penn Central Mall. Kim Benson, a music educator and current Vice President Editorial & Production at C.L. Barnhouse Music Publishing will be the conductor for the day. Penn Central Mall invites all tuba and low-brass players to come be a part of this one-of-a-kind concert. To participate, players can register December 9th (the day of the concert) to perform in MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS. Registration starts at 1pm in Center Court. Practice is at 1:30pm and the concert performance at 3:30pm in Center Court, Sunday Dec. 9th at Penn Central Mall in Oskaloosa. The general public is invited to experience this FREE concert featuring traditional Christmas carols played by an all tuba-euphonium choir at 3:30pm.
