Have Yourself a Tuba Christmas

Calling all tuba enthusiasts! Whether you're a tuba, euphonium, sousaphone or baritone player, don't miss your chance to be part of the 51st TubaChristmas at Keene State College. Join fellow musicians on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. in the Mabel Brown Room of the Keene State College Student Center for a festive, one-of-a-kind performance. The event, which is free and open to the public, promises to fill the air with the resonant sounds of holiday music, played by a lively ensemble of 40 to 60 tuba players. Registration to perform begins at 11 a.m., followed by rehearsal at 11:30 a.m., with a $10 registration fee. Lunch is provided to the players. The very first TubaChristmas was held on Dec. 22, 1974, on the ice rink stage of New York City's Rockefeller Center. It was an idea conceived by famed tuba player, Harvey Phillips, as a way to honor and celebrate his tuba instructor, William J. Bell. Bell elevated tuba to the level of higher consideration and made it worthy of study. He was born on Christmas Day in 1902. There were over 300 tuba and euphonium players in attendance at the first TubaChristmas event. "In terms of the Tuba Christmas here in Keene," explained Dr. John T. Hart Jr., coordinator and director of Keene State College's Tuba Christmas, "I am only the third to be the coordinator of this one. We are the second oldest Tuba Christmas in New England, second only to Boston. We have pictures dating back to the '70s. We are definitely one of the earliest satellite Tuba Christmases to exhibit." This will be Hart's sixth year coordinating the Keene Tuba Christmas. Being the coordinator is associated with the role of Associate Professor of Music, which is one of many roles that Hart has at Keene State College. He is the Coordinator of Instrumental Music Education, Coordinator of Winds, Brass and Percussion and Director of Concert Band. "The first coordinator of Keene Tuba Christmas was Doug Nelson, who still guest conducts every year. We are hoping he and his wife will be in attendance this year, too." Every year Tuba Christmas at Keene State College is standing room only. "People look forward to it every year and it's not just tuba, it is also a sing-along. We project lyrics onto a big screen and everyone in attendance can sing along," said Hart. TubaChristmas has become so widespread, it's easy to find one near you. There are also several abroad, as well. Most countries will have at least one. "I have a friend and colleague who coordinates a TubaChristmas in Norway. It's an international phenomenon," added Hart. Keene Tuba Christmas attracts players from all over. "People do travel to the Keene one as part of a circuit that they do. There is even a guy I know of, his home base is in South Carolina, and he loads up the van, finds the dates of each TubaChristmas and drives up and down the East Coast and attends them all. There is comradery about a month in advance with all the other Tuba Christmas coordinators, so we aren't stepping on each other's toes. We tend to reach out to each other before we start advertising and making posters." The event is made free to attend by donations and sales of merchandise at the annual event. "Last year we started a new tradition where we have a pre-lit Christmas tree. We sell ornaments that can be used to commemorate loved ones. Guests can buy an ornament and personalize it and hang it on the tree and we will hang it up on each subsequent year. We also have TubaChristmas merchandise. Items such as hats, scarves and headbands in three colors: red, blue and green. For performers we sell the TubaChristmas book, 'Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas.'" The L.P. Young Student Center at Keene State College is located on Blake Street in Keene. For more information on the event contact, john.hart@keene.edu.