TUBACHRISTMAS?  Sign me up!  It’s that time of year again. Pack your instrument, your mouthpiece, your warmest coat, hat, and gloves (or sunscreen if you live in Arizona!) and head to the nearest Tuba Christmas gathering.  Tuba and Euphonium players from around the world unite to celebrate TUBACHRISTMAS and the holiday spirit.  If you have never participated in a Tuba Christmas, this is your chance!  Visit www.tubachristmas.com and find the event nearest you. 

As explained on the TUBACHRISTMAS website, “TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium.”

I remember my first TUBACHRISTMAS.  December 1990.  I was in Chicago for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.  I was so excited.  After hearing all the stories of TUBACHRISTMAS, I was finally going to participate.  I had my tuba and I was ready to “show my low brass stuff”.  Players started to arrive.  Baritones, euphoniums, double bell euphoniums, souaphones, helicons, BBb tubas, CC tubas, F tubas, Eb tubas.  Unbelieveable!  I had never seen such a variety of “tuba family” instruments in one place.  There were hundreds of tuba and euphonium players warming up, getting ready for the big event.  I was kind of nervous.  I had never participated in such a large ensemble and was afraid that I might make a mistake.  However, after warming up, hearing people play, and tuning up for the rehearsal, I was ready to go.  The first note we played together was absolutely amazing!  The sound was so HUGE and beautiful.  At that point I was ready to make music and have a great time.  I sat next to a tuba player from Yew York City.  She was also attending the Midwest Clinic and was pumped to participate in the event.  Today, that tuba player is one of my best friends in the tuba world.  She lives in New York and teaches band.

It is important to participate in events like TUBACHRISTMAS because it strengthens your “network” and it is something that benefits your community and the tuba world.  Tuba and euphonium players are a unique group of people.  When we gather together to make music, we can support each other and give something back to the community.  It is ALWAYS fun and spirited! 

Find the nearest TUBACHRISTMAS near you and participate this year.  You will have a great time and make new friends in the tuba world.  Go for it!  Visit www.tubachristmas.com for more information.