Tuba Christmas, an ensemble of tubas, baritones, euphoniums, sousaphones and other low brass playing Christmas favorites, will be Dec. 2 on the Southwestern Community College campus, in room 180 of the Instructional Center. Those wishing to participate should register at 1:30 p.m., with rehearsal to follow at 2 p.m. Cost for participants is $10, and you will need to provide your own music. The actual performance will be at 4:30 p.m. and the general public is invited to attend. Admission to the 4:30 p.m. performance will be a free-will donation or a non-perishable food item.
The conductor will be Dr. Jeremy Fox and the coordinator is Wade Sick. If you have any questions or need to order music, check the Tuba Christmas website at www.tubachristmas.com or call or text Sick at 641-202-3011.
Tuba Christmas is in honor and memory of one of the world’s most famous tuba players, William “Bill” Bell who was born in Creston on Christmas day in 1902. Low brass players gather in many locations, both in the United States and worldwide, to participate in this festive and unique event held throughout the holiday season. The family of the late Harvey Phillips, also a world-renowned tubist, with carol arrangements by Alec Wilder, have kept the annual tradition going for many years.
Tuba Christmas Creston is a part of the “No Place Like Creston for the Holidays” event held Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 and a kick-off event as part of the Creston Sesquicentennial celebration, and is sponsored in part by Rieman Music.