TubaChristmas Philadelphia 2023
Experience the joy of the season as dozens of tuba and euphonium players gather together to present a wide variety of festive holiday music for the entire family, under the direction and baton of Jay Krush.2023 is the 50th year of TubaChristmas concerts/events which are presented throughout the world.
Performance
Date
Sunday, December 17, 2023Time
2:00-3:00pmLocation
Cherry Street Pier at 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia.Admission
Free to all audience members.Directions and parking
See the Cherry Street Pier’s website for details.Note
The Cherry Street Pier is a wonderful indoor venue, but it is not climate controlled. If it's cold outside, it'll be cold inside. Dress appropriately.
Come play with us!
It doesn't matter if you've been playing for two weeks or two decades. If you want to play some great music with a bunch of fellow tuba and euphonium enthusiasts, you are more than welcome here!Now
• Sign up by sending email to tubachristmasphilly@gmail.com.Soon
• You will receive a confirmation email soon after you sign up.Later
• Plan your route to the pier.
On the day
Register
• You need to register when you arrive inside the venue.
• Registration is from 10:00-11:30am.
• There is a tax-deductible $10 fee, for which you receive a commemorative 2023 TubaChristmas button.
• The registration fee helps to cover the ever-increasing production, promotion, and administrative costs, and we very much appreciate your understanding.What you'll need
• Your instrument.
• A music stand.
• The standard and supplemental TubaChristmas sheet music (see Sheet music, below).
• Warm clothing.What to expect
• Rehearsal is from 11:30am until 1:30pm with a short break.
• The pier will be open to the public the whole time we’re there, so keep that in mind.
• Chairs will be provided.
• Many players have been known to decorate their instruments for the occasion. We will not discourage you from doing the same.Seating
Performers are seated based on their instrument and part:
Tuba I - Tuba II
Euphonium I - Euphonium II
Conductor (in the center)We understand that it’s not always possible to do so, but please do your best to sit in the proper section.
Sheet music
Most of the music we play comes from Carols For a Merry TubaChristmas. Books for tuba and euphonium are available from The Harvey Phillips Foundation. Copies will also be available for purchase on-site. Be sure to get a copy for yourself!Supplemental music we'll be using this year:
• Tubas & bass clef euphoniums
• Treble clef baritone/euphonium 1
• Treble clef baritone/euphonium 2Download and print the appropriate parts and bring them with you.
Program
About TubaChristmas
TubaChristmas was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips (pictured above) as a tribute to his teacher and mentor, William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell, we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists and teachers whose legacies have given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values, and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists.The first TubaChristmas was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 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!