WEST BRATTLEBORO — On Sunday, Dec. 17, TubaChristmas brings together local players of valved low brass instruments, including the tuba and euphonium (also known as a baritone horn), to rehearse and perform Christmas carols specially arranged in four parts.
The public is invited to a culminating concert and sing-along in the church sanctuary of the First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave. at 3 p.m.
TubaChristmas events take place in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.
Retired Brattleboro Union High School band director, Steve Rice, serves as host and music director for the local TubaChristmas. He took the reins from the late Bruce Corwin, director of the Brattleboro American Legion Band.
TubaChristmas events are overseen by the Harvey Phillips Foundation. According to the information they provide, Harvey G. Phillips was inspired to create this annual event honoring his mentor and teacher, the tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902). The first concert was held on Dec. 22, 1974, on the skating rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City, a site that continues to host TubaChristmas annually.
Events in large cities attract hundreds of musicians. The Brattleboro version is typically much smaller in scale, with 12 to 20 players. Organizers say "the warm, rich, organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience, helping to make TubaChristmas an established Christmas tradition throughout the world."
Participants should arrive for registration at 12:45 p.m. Rehearsal starts at 1:15 p.m. Each participant needs a copy of the music book, a music stand, and the $10 registration fee. Anyone who needs help obtaining a book should contact Rice at 802-451-9072 or [email protected].
There is no admission fee charged for the concert and a free-will offering will be collected to benefit the church's mission to serve the West Brattleboro community.
This The Arts item was submitted to The Commons.