Tuba Christmas returns to Creston

Tuba Christmas is coming back to Creston – home of the “World’s Greatest Tubist” – Saturday.

Tuba Christmas started in 1974 by famous tubist, Harvey Phillips, as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J.Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902, in Creston. The idea was to present tubas and euphoniums (baritone horns) in a moving holiday performance arranged specifically for these instruments.

Coordinator Wade Stephens Sick said the event held at Southwestern Community College works “kind of like a cattle call,” in which all tubists and euphoniumists are invited to participate.

Stephens Sick said its never known ahead of time how many musicians will show up, but Creston’s Tuba Christmas event averages between 15 and 30 performers.

“Some people let you know they’re coming and some just show up. It can vary,” he said.

Since its inception in the ice skating rink at New York City’s Rockefeller Center in the late ‘70s, Tuba Christmas has grown to nearly 300 cities around the world.

The idea to host Tuba Christmas in Creston developed after Don Duskin, of Creston, attended his first Tuba Christmas event in Portland, Oregon, nearly 30 years ago. Upon his return to Iowa, where he plays with the Iowa State Alumni Marching Band, Duskin started performing with fellow tuba, euphonium and baritone players at Merle Hay Plaza in Des Moines.

Stephens sick said anyone who plays a tuba, euphonium or baritone who would like to participate needs to show up 1:30 p.m. Saturday for registration inside room 180 at SWCC. Registration for musicians is $10 and rehearsal begins at 2 p.m.

The public is invited and asked to bring a canned good as admission for the 4:30 p.m. performance Saturday inside room 180 at SWCC.

Questions about the event can be directed to Stephens Sick at 641-202-3011.