This holiday season, a troop of tubists and a union of euphoniums – maybe even a smattering of sousaphones – return to the Centennial Concert Hall to present some low-end good cheer.
Manitoba Band Association’s “Tuba Christmas” takes place this Sunday, part of a broader brassy initiative.
“Tuba Christmas actually happens worldwide,” says Manitoba Band Association’s Chelsey Hiebert. The first Tuba Christmas was conducted in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink in 1974 with Manitoba Band Association joining in the festivities in 2002 – making this the 20th anniversary.
In partnership with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, participants perform at 1 p.m. on the piano nobile Sunday ahead of the matinée performance of “A Celebration of Nations.”
Approximately 40 players are expected to gather for Tuba Christmas, though there have been more than 100 instrumentalists who have performed together in past years, according to Hiebert.
Hear a little bit of low-end musical cheer, plus more on the initiative and a first-year tubist’s take, in the full video!
If you or someone you know would like to get involved, register at: www.mbband.org