TubaChristmas is now a well established tradition in the United States and this year has seen no less than 307 Tuba Christmas events around the country in the run up to Christmas. Tuba players of all kinds, from all walks of life and from different age groups have once again gathered together to bring a little festive cheer into the lives of local people. Playing in shopping malls, streets, churches, libraries and local community halls and theatres, the music has echoed far and wide with many photos and videos being published on the Internet in the last few hours.
Tuba Christmas In New York
In a previous Wagner-tuba.com News article about TubaChristmas we delved into the history of this special musical event. The very first TubaChristmas event was staged in 1974 at the Rockefeller Center and the tradition still carries on there to this day. On Sunday 17 December at 3.30pm, hundreds of tuba players gathered by the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree to play in the Rockefeller Center TubaChristmas event. There was a huge and appreciative crowd as you can see from the video clip above.
Tuba Christmas In South Dakota
On Saturday 16 December there were no less than 141 tuba players who took part in the 30th annual Sioux Falls Tuba Christmas. All the tuba players wore Santa hats and Christmas jumpers. Watch them play ‘Jingle Bells’ in this great video clip (above).
Tuba Christmas In Tulsa
On the same day and more than 500 miles south, close to 100 tuba players, ranging from high school students to long-time players, performed together at the TubaChristmas event in the Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Check out the Tulsa TubaChristmas Facebook page! The group played a super version of ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’.
Other TubaChristmas Events
At the Marquette Regional History Center (Michigan) there was a TubaChristmas event staged by 20 local players including students, music teachers and local community people. It is an annual event for the community of Marquette which is now in its 8th year. Follow the link to watch a video and see photos of the Marquette TubaChristmas.
The Bel Air TubaChristmas event (Maryland) is now in its 10th year and it was at the local Bel Air High School that 40 players from around the Baltimore region came together to perform a concert of Christmas carols. The players played a mixture of low brass instruments including tuba and euphonium which they decorated in Christmas lights and garland just for the occasion! You can watch some of the concert in a video clip here.
