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TUBAChristmas returns Dec. 22

By Staff | Dec 21, 2012

Shepherdstown is once again hosting a TUBAChristmas event. This year TUBAChristmas will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. on the steps of Shepherd Universitys McMurran Hall located on German Street. Erik Jones, Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Shepherd University, will again conduct the Shepherdstown TUBAChristmas group. Kathleen Corpus and Keith Alexander are coordinators for the event. The outdoor concert will last approximately one hour, with lots of familiar Christmas tunes and great family fun. TUBAChristmas, a public concert of Christmas carols played on the tuba and euphonium, is held at different locations throughout the United States during the Christmas season.

TUBAChristmas was conceived as a tribute to the late teacher and tuba player William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day in 1902. The first TUBAChristmas was performed on New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, Dec. 22, 1974. The not-for-profit Harvey Phillips Foundation of Indiana continues the legacy of TUBAChristmas in honor of Mr. Bell, Mr. Harvey Phillips, who was a tuba player and creator of TUBAChristmas, and all music enthusiasts.

Tuba and euphonium players are invited to participate in the performance no matter what their age or skill level. Shepherdstown TUBAChristmas player registration begins at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall, 109 King St., on the Shepherd University campus. A $5 registration fee to participate includes a commemorative pin. TUBAChristmas music is available for purchase at registration. Rehearsal follows at 10:30 a.m. and the concert begins at 1 p.m. Players need to bring their own instrument and a music stand. Players are also encouraged to decorate their instruments and music stands for the Christmas season. For further local information contact Kathleen Corpus at 304-876-5318 or kcorpus@shepherd.edu. Information about the national TUBAChristmas organization can be found by visiting www.tubachristmas.com. Last year, 26 musicians ranging in age from 12 to 80 years old came from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and far as away as Ohio and Texas, to participate in the Shepherdstown TUBAChristmas.