The Sounds of the Holidays (Tuba-Style)

When does it really start to feel like the holidays?

For some, it’s when they see television commercials and sales ads.

For others, it’s when the house fills up with holiday cards and cooking aromas.

For me, however, it’s the rumble of low brass playing holiday music.

(Since this is a legal publication, TUBACHRISTMAS^® is a registered property of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.)

My attraction was natural. 

I had played trumpet in bands in high school and college.

So, I was not surprised when I was easily hooked after I attended my small town’s Tuba Christmas^® concert.

• The large brass – everything from euphoniums to Sousaphones - were decked out with garland, ornaments, and antlers. One player even had the legs of a Santa stuck head down in a faux chimney in the bell of his instrument.
• Musicians thanked the crowd for applause by wiggling their instruments.
• The audience rejoiced in jovial sing-alongs.

But the palpable feeling of community goodwill has kept me coming back, year after year.

(I have had the same experience at sports championship parades and the annual fundraising race of my town’s food pantry.)

At my town’s Tuba Christmas^® concert, everyone shivers together for an hour outdoors in early winter to the sounds of live traditional music.

If rain forces the event indoors, at a local church, the experience remains the same – just without the cold.

I enjoyed the event so much that I even bought a Tuba Christmas® scarf—not to wear but as a holiday decoration. 

We display it on a shelf with our decorative plates as a year-round reminder of the joy the event brings us.  

I have even thought about buying a used baritone horn if I could find an inexpensive one. 

I think I would enjoy playing in the band since the valve fingering to play notes is the same as on a trumpet. 

Tuba Christmas^® is about the experience, so even players as mediocre as I am are welcome to play.

If you haven’t experienced a Tuba Christmas^®, there may be one in your area.   Even Hawaii and Australia host them.    

Wherever you may be, you can still experience the event vicariously. Many videos are available on YouTube, from towns big and small.

I hope you can join me in the “Joy of Tuba” this year.

But wear a hat and gloves (unless you are in Australia, where Tuba Christmas^® kicks off the summer).