Tuba Christmas in Denver
In 1974, Harvey Phillips started a yearly tribute to his teacher and mentor, William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day in 1902. Held worldwide, Tuba Christmas is a concert of Christmas music performed by Tube and Euphonium instrumentalists.
I'm not quite sure where I first heard about this but I knew I wanted to attend.Happily, I found out that there would be a Tuba Christmas in Denver while we were there visiting over Christmas last year. A bit quirky, fun, Christmasy and free to attend, it was right up my alley.
Tube and Euphonium players are invited to attend and perform each year. (You can download the sheet music from the Tuba Christmas website and be aware there is a $10 registration fee required for musicians)
We arrived a few minutes before the concert started and stood for several Christmas songs along with a small crowd in a plaza in downtown Denver. There were several family members playing together - moms and sons, dads and daughters, three generations of musicians and even the youngest, who I believe was 11 and the oldest, who was in their 80's. They also announced those who had been playing in Tuba Christmas for years.
It was short, quirky and fun! If you're interested in attending a Tuba Christmas this year, check here to see if your city or one near you is participating.
I hope everyone's holiday preparations are going well. It's been a week of hiccups here at The Unpaved Road - I pulled a calf muscle putting up Christmas decorations - yes, putting up Christmas decorations - we had to send a car to the scrap yard and my computer was having some problems. But I'm counting my blessings for only small problems!
If you celebrate Christmas, where will you be celebrating this year?
This post is part of a link-up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Weekend Wanderlust Travel Blog Party!
I'm not quite sure where I first heard about this but I knew I wanted to attend.Happily, I found out that there would be a Tuba Christmas in Denver while we were there visiting over Christmas last year. A bit quirky, fun, Christmasy and free to attend, it was right up my alley.
Tube and Euphonium players are invited to attend and perform each year. (You can download the sheet music from the Tuba Christmas website and be aware there is a $10 registration fee required for musicians)
We arrived a few minutes before the concert started and stood for several Christmas songs along with a small crowd in a plaza in downtown Denver. There were several family members playing together - moms and sons, dads and daughters, three generations of musicians and even the youngest, who I believe was 11 and the oldest, who was in their 80's. They also announced those who had been playing in Tuba Christmas for years.
It was short, quirky and fun! If you're interested in attending a Tuba Christmas this year, check here to see if your city or one near you is participating.
I hope everyone's holiday preparations are going well. It's been a week of hiccups here at The Unpaved Road - I pulled a calf muscle putting up Christmas decorations - yes, putting up Christmas decorations - we had to send a car to the scrap yard and my computer was having some problems. But I'm counting my blessings for only small problems!
If you celebrate Christmas, where will you be celebrating this year?
This post is part of a link-up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Weekend Wanderlust Travel Blog Party!
Your photo of the person in green holding a tuba aloft is the money shot for me. Love how you caught the shine of the gold.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan! They were announcing some of the family duos and long time performers and I believe he was cheering with his tuba. It wasn't easy getting any photos as we were standing behind all the musicians. Thanks for visiting again, Jan!
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea. Somehow, tubas and Christmas music seem to go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteThey do, don't they? I loved it!
DeleteThat sounds like so much fun. Unfortunately, I looked it up for my city and it is today and I am traveling. Oh well, hopefully next year. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
ReplyDeleteHopefully next year! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteWe had this wonderful Christmas tradition in Los Angeles long time ago. The Tuba Christmas concert was held every year on the steps of the Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Downtown. At that time the L.A. Philharmonic conductor was Lalo Schifrin, but after he left the entire event disappeared. It was a general disappointment. Good to hear they have this event in Denver. #TheWeeklyPostcard
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear they're not having it anymore! Such a fun tradition! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteThey sound really good, especially considering that everyone mostly practices on their own instead of with the group. I know a few tuba players who may be interested in this. What fun!
ReplyDeleteThey do sound really good considering there is no group practice - they just show up and play! If I played the tuba, I would definitely want to play in it every year.
DeleteWhat fun! I love a concert, especially an outdoor Christmas concert. It's so cool it was so many tubas!
ReplyDeleteI love a concert, also - and an outdoor Christmas one is the best. Hoping to make it to another Tuba Christmas next year! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWhat a fun and quirky way to celebrate the holidays. I looked at the locations and there are some dates in Washington State. I will have to check it out! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFun and quirky - sums up what I loved about it! Hope you make it to one - thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNice to see Santa there exercising his lungs! I don't think this event has reached Seoul, yet. I'll have to keep an eye out. Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for linking up.#TPThursday
ReplyDeleteIf it does make it to Seoul, give it a go. It is alot of fun. Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!
DeleteI'm not sure my daughter could deal with all those tubas; she doesn't do loud. but Denver certainly seems to do a lot for the holidays and those city lights are amazing!
ReplyDeleteDenver does the holidays right for sure! Thanks for visiting, Eileen!
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ReplyDeleteFantastic Post!Lot of information is helpful in some or the other way.Keep updating tuba sheet music
ReplyDelete