TubaChristmas Philadelphia 2025
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.This will be the 52nd year of TubaChristmas concerts/events which are presented throughout the world.
Performance
Date
Sunday, December 21, 2025Times
• 12:00 PM
• 6:00 PMLocation
Kimmel Center For the Performing Arts
Commonwealth Plaza (under the Kimmel atrium)
300 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19102.Admission
Free to all audience members.Directions and parking
See the Kimmel Center website for details.Note
The Kimmel Center limits the number of performers per concert to 100, so there are two performances, to accommodate as many performers as possible.
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
An RSVP is needed from participants. Please email your RSVP to tubachristmasphilly@gmail.com and include:
• your name,
• email address,
• phone number, and
• which performance you wish to participate in.If one fills up, you will be notified and can switch to the other performance if you wishSoon
You will receive a confirmation email soon after you sign up.Later
Plan your route to the Kimmel Center.
On the day
Register
• You need to register when you arrive inside the venue.
• There is a tax-deductible $15 fee, for which you receive a commemorative TubaChristmas button.
• The registration fee helps to cover the ever-increasing production, promotion, and administrative costs, and we very much appreciate your understanding.Performance #1
• Registration: 8:30-9:30 AM.
• Rehearsal: 9:30-11:30 downstairs in Innovation Theater.
• Performance: 12:00-1:00 PM.Performance #2
• Registration: 2:30-3:30 PM.
• Rehearsal: 3:30-5:30 downstairs in Innovation Theater.
• Performance: 6:00-7:00 PMWhat you'll need
• Your instrument.
• A music stand.
• The standard and supplemental TubaChristmas sheet music (see Sheet music, below).
• Warm clothing.What to expect
• There will be a short break during each reharsal.
• 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!We play additional music that's not in the TubaChristmas book. Those parts will be linked shortly. • Baritone 1 (TC)
• Baritone 2 (TC)
• Euphonium
• Tuba
Program
• TubaChristmas Philly 2025 Program will also be linked shortly.
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!