Prior to our concert at the Peace Center last night, the entering audience was serenaded (if that’s the right word) by a group of 35 tubas playing Christmas carols. Apparently this is a national event that takes place the second weekend of December each year. According to 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.
I heard a bit of it while waiting backstage. It was hard NOT to hear it. For next year, I may just have to pick up a Euphonium.
Bad musician’s joke – If you can see yourself reflected in the bell of a sousaphone, does that make it a tuba miram?