Perry Fine Arts presents first TUBACHRISTMAS in Perry

COURTESY OF PERRY FINE ARTS COMMITTEE
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The Perry Fine Arts Series presented TUBACHRISTMAS for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Perry First United Methodist Church.

Low brass players are invited to show up, register, rehearse, then play a concert all in one day. This year's conductor was Gary McCurdy.

2022 is the 48th anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell, we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well-structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists.

More:William Bell Memorial Tuba and Euphonium Day celebrates 40 years of tubas

The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980.

Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium.

Area low brass players perform during the first TUBACHRISTMAS on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Perry.
Area low brass players perform during the first TUBACHRISTMAS on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Perry.

Perry Fine Arts 2022-2023 Season

  • Jan. 22, 2023, 2 p.m. Jake Doty and the Swensongs, (Rock ‘n’ Roll) (with Dave Swenson)

  • March 26, 2023, 2 p.m. Red Cedar Chamber Music

  • April 16, 2023, 2:30 p.m. Greater Des Moines Community Band

  • July 4, 2023, 2 p.m. Music Extravaganza and Ice Cream Social

All concerts will be at Perry High School's Performing Arts Center, 1800 18th St., except for the Fourth of July Extravaganza which will be at the Perry First United Methodist Church, 1100 3rd St. Both venues are handicapped accessible and free-will offerings are accepted.

This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Perry Fine Arts presents first TUBACHRISTMAS in Perry