The True Christmas Spirit of TubaChristmas!

As a high school band member, I have plenty of times heard the stereotype of the ‘band geek. ’ While this band member typecast is misplaced, the stereotypes that are connected to the players of certain instruments are completely TRUE.  Trumpet players are over confident show-offs who are usually pretty good at everything-and not afraid to tell you so.  Flutists are tiny and girly and, so sweet you might go into sugar overload.   Saxophone players are cool and relaxed, but like to keep to themselves.  And then there are the tuba players.  These giants of the instrument world require two things of their players: a strong back and a willingness to never be center stage.  Solos rarely happen for the tuba player, instead they must be content to oom pah unseen in the background.

Every dog must have its day, they say, and that day comes each Christmas for the tuba player.   TubaChristmas is a national phenomenon that began in New York in 1974 as a way to celebrate William J. Bell, the premiere tuba player and teacher of the first half of the 20^th century and the instrument he made famous as a member of the John Phillip Sousa band.  In major (and minor) cities across the nation, members of the tuba family (tuba, baritone, sousaphone, and euphonium) gather with tinsel bedecked tubas to perform a rousing outdoor concert that has a quirky way of completely embodying the Christmas spirit.    

With minimal practice, performers ranging from 8 to 80 and from all over the area congregate and gift the audience with a concert filled with conviviality and playfulness and true community spirit.  Festively decorated instruments and choreographed tuba dances are a regular part of the fun of this free event. These players know that they will be resigned to the back row for the remainder of their musical year, so they take their moment in the sun seriously and play with rousing spirit that makes for an unforgettable performance you won’t want to miss.

Check out the TubaChristmas Concert Finder to find a concert near you.

Photos courtesy of Tuba Christmas