Merry TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 51st Anniversary (1974-2024). Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2024 concerts will be presented in over 200 cities throughout the United States and several foreign countries.
Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his teacher, the late, great tubist William J. Bell (born on Christmas Day, 1902). Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect to William J. Bell and all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage.
Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, (December 22, 1974, in NYC’s Rockefeller Plaza) by American composer Alec Wilder who died Christmas Eve, 1980.
Through Wilder, TUBACHRISTMAS concerts pay grateful tribute to composers who have embraced these noble instruments with solo ensemble compositions. Depending on the population of any given geographic area, TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract multiples of 100 participants, aged 8 to 85 years!
The warm, rich organ-like sound of the Tuba-Euphonium Choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS is an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.