Posted by
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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The announcement on Tropico Station about Merry Tuba Christmas at the Alex Theatre on December 14, 2008, caught my eye because, well, it's free! Hundreds of tuba players will grace the stage to perform holiday tunes, and the audience will be handed song sheets and encouraged to sing along. (Honestly, this sounds like it could be a potential ear sore for me, but, hey, I don't have to go to these things to share them with you.)

I also found a video clip online of last year's concert, so you can decide for yourself if this kind of thing floats your boat:



If you go, let me know how it is.

Merry Tuba Christmas

Sunday, December 14, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Alex Theatre
216 N. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
818.243.2539
http://www.alextheatre.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=179&year=2008&month=12

Tickets:
Free

The annual Merry Tuba Christmas event at the Alex Theatre features hundreds of tuba and euphonium players of all ages from throughout Southern California. Special guests include the Tubadours, comprised of professional musicians from Los Angeles, and a special visit by Santa Claus.

Running time is approximately one hour with no intermission, and the performance is suitable for all ages. Photo/video recording by patrons is allowed.
I had to look up "euphonium." It's "a brass musical instrument similar to the baritone tuba but somewhat smaller, with a wider bore and mellower tone, and often having a second bell." So now I know. And so do you. We're learning together!




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6
Responses to ... A Whole Lot of Tubas: "Merry Tuba Christmas," December 14
Scott said... December 14, 2008 at 11:30 PM

I really wanted to go but ended up seeing Charles Phoenix at the Moonlight Rollerway instead! Next year...

Prince Gomolvilas said... December 15, 2008 at 12:39 AM

Look forward to your review of Charles Phoenix. I love him, but have never seen him on skates!

Anonymous said... December 15, 2008 at 4:32 PM

I was there... not in the audience, but up on stage!

I brought with me my 101-year-old double-bell euphonium. It was probably the oldest instrument on stage that night.

Everyone had a wonderful time--the players, the audience, and even Santa himself seemed a bit jollier for all the music performed that night!

I've been going to TubaChristmas for several years now. A few years ago, Huell Howser came down and interviewed several players including myself prior to the concert.

Happy Holidays... and "Merry Tuba Christmas!"

Prince Gomolvilas said... December 16, 2008 at 12:34 AM

Hi, Bob, your 101-year-old double-bell euphonium sounds like it must've been the most awesome thing on that stage. Congratulations! Maybe somebody YouTubed it even! :)

Julie said... December 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM

Hi everyone,

My Mom and I went to Merry Tuba Christmas for the first time this year, after seeing the Huell Howser piece on it last year, and we loved it! Mom is 88, has Alzeimer's, and is in a wheelchair, but I kidnapped her from the rest home in Santa Monica, and off we went - we had a great time!

I remember the tubas' renditions of all the old Christmas carols sounded especially warm, in those lower registers.

I remember seeing those double-bell euphoniums when the bandleader introduced all the different types of tubas; the instruments were all so beautiful, and some were beautifully- & playfully-decorated! My favorite was a beribboned number in the back row - it looked particularly medieval :)

Merry Tuba Christmas!

Prince Gomolvilas said... December 22, 2008 at 7:20 PM

Hi, Jewel, thanks for the review! We all should kidnap our moms from rest homes every once in a while. :)

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