This year, the annual TUBACHRISTMAS event in Ames was held at Stephens Auditorium as it has been for the past three years. Although TUBACHRISTMAS has packed Stephens once again, Ames is not the only place where it is well-known.
“Tuba Christmas, in general, is celebrating its 51st anniversary worldwide,” announcer John Bernett-Larkins said.
The first ever TUBACHRISTMAS was held at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Dec. 22, 1974, and has since been a tradition all over the United States.
“Tuba Christmas brings together tuba and euphonium players of all ages to present public concerts, with traditional Christmas carols, acknowledging their proud musical heritage,” Ames Mayor John Haila said.
Haila made an announcement during the concert that Dec. 7 will now be known as TUBACHRISTMAS Day in Ames.
TUBACHRISTMAS is a free and fun-for-all-ages event for any musicians 12 years or older who play tubas, sousaphones, baritones or euphoniums.
TUBACHRISTMAS has become extremely popular among musicians, with 251 people participating in the concert in 2023. The event is unique, as there is no prior training or registration involved.
Participants can register just two hours before the performance, rehearse for 40 minutes with the band and be prepared for the concert. Players are also encouraged to dress up themselves and their instruments with festive decor.
The tuba chorus played many Christmas carols, including “Deck The Halls,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “The First Noel,” “Angels We Have Heard On High” and other classics.
The best part of the show, according to Kinley, a 13-year-old involved in the production, was “probably hanging out with other tubas.” She enjoyed being in the show with her friend Bryson who is also 13 years old.
Bryson said his favorite part of the show was “hearing all of the tubas.”
TUBACHRISTMAS is an amazing tradition with lots of fun quirks every year. This year was no different, with “Santa Claus” stepping in as a guest conductor, a saxophone trio making an appearance and fun sing-alongs to almost every tune.
