At Tuba Christmas concerts across Washington, D.C., the sound of holiday music is both loud and deep, brought to life by the powerful resonance of tubas, euphoniums, baritones, and sousaphones. You don’t need to be a brass instrument expert to enjoy the seasonal tunes, but you might be surprised by the rich, melodic tones these instruments can create.
“The tuba is often seen as just an ‘oom-pah-pah’ instrument,” says Karl Hovey, co-coordinator of the Old Town Alexandria Tuba Christmas concert. “But it can also be a beautifully melodic instrument.”
Tuba Christmas concerts are gatherings of volunteer musicians who bring their own brass instruments to play festive songs in both indoor and outdoor settings. The event’s origins aim to popularize the tuba, which many people may only associate with marching bands.
“Most people hadn’t heard the tuba used outside of that context,” Hovey explains. “The goal was to show just how versatile the instrument can be.”
Tuba Christmas was founded by musician Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor, William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. The first Tuba Christmas concert took place on December 22, 1974, in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. Today, nearly 300 Tuba Christmas concerts take place worldwide each year.
While audience members may be encouraged to make a donation to a local nonprofit, join in singing along, or even enjoy the conductor’s humorous commentary, there’s no admission fee. Musicians, on the other hand, must register in advance, usually with a $10 fee, and purchase the “Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas” songbook, which includes 33 specially arranged holiday songs.
“It’s an experience for players of all skill levels,” says Dick Fonda, co-coordinator with Hovey in Alexandria. “We pass the melodies around, so everyone has a chance to contribute.”
The songbook allows musicians to return year after year, often performing at multiple Tuba Christmas concerts in a single season, says Patsy Ensminger, the concert coordinator in Frederick, Maryland.
“Once you buy that book, you can attend any Tuba Christmas concert,” she says. “Our Frederick performance even includes additional music arranged by local musicians.” Ensminger notes that many families return year after year, enjoying the same program. “It’s just fun,” she says.
Brian Sands, now the Washington, D.C., coordinator, met Tuba Christmas founder Phillips while studying at Indiana University, where Phillips was on faculty. After moving to the D.C. area, Sands was recruited by Phillips to perform the solo for Santa Wants a Tuba for Christmas in the District concert, which was then held on the Ellipse. “I’ve been playing it ever since,” Sands laughs.
Tuba Christmas concerts welcome musicians of all ages. Rick Reaves, who coordinates the Leesburg and Harpers Ferry concerts, remembers when a 4-year-old showed up dressed in a gold onesie with a cardboard tuba cutout. Last year, at 9 years old, the same child played a real tuba.
“This is a wonderful way for people who play lower brass instruments to come together and have fun,” Reaves says. “Normally, you’re in the back of the band, playing downbeats or countermelodies. Tuba Christmas brings the back of the band to the front.”
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