The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
For many people, the day after Thanksgiving marks the seasonally acceptable date to start listening to holiday music.
As the days of December fly by amid a flurry of the final weeks of the semester and snow, the holiday spirit grows and music from holiday radio stations to caroling to rumbles of tubas fills the air.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point held its sixth annual Tuba Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 9 in Michelsen Hall of the Noel Fine Arts Center.
Tuba Christmas is a national event that has been getting music lovers in the holiday spirit for 43 years. The tradition began in 1974 in honor of William J. Bell, a tuba player and teacher, born Dec. 25, 1902.
Patrick Lawrence, associate professor of low brass and music education, conducts Tuba Christmas.
“Bell was sort of the grandfather of tuba. He didn’t invent the instrument – that happened back in the 1830s – but he was considered the first virtuosic player and teacher of the instrument,” Lawrence said. “He must have been a really wonderful guy because for that first concert in 1974, there were over 200 players who came out to support the commemoration of Bell.”
The first Tuba Christmas was held in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza, where it is still held, but the celebration quickly spread. Now, Tuba Christmas concerts take place in over 250 cities throughout the world, from Canada to Costa Rica to Switzerland. There are six Tuba Christmas performances throughout Wisconsin this season.
UWSP’s Tuba Christmas invites euphonium, baritone and tuba players of all ages to participate in the concert to bring a festive show of Christmas carols and innovative instrument decoration.
Sam Puffer, senior music education major, has been participating in UWSP’s Tuba Christmas since 2012.
“It’s just a big organ formed of different individuals,” Puffer said. “That was my first experience. I knew that I really loved tuba because of that sound. When you get all these people together who have such an appreciation for the instrument, as well as an appreciation for music itself, you really get this sense of community right away.”
Musicians, audience members and instruments are encouraged to sport their best holiday apparel for the show. Tubas, baritones and euphoniums turn out donned in wrapping paper and bows, Christmas lights and holiday garlands.
Kayla Vanderheyden is a community member who attended her first Tuba Christmas event on Friday.
“I was not sure what to expect, but it was fun to see people in the crowd decked out in Christmas gear and apparel. And then the tuba players themselves, not only with their hats and scarves and Christmas clothing, but their tubas were decorated as well.”
Participants registered back in November, but rehearsal is not held until the day of the concert. Though Tuba Christmas began at 7:30 p.m., musicians had an hour and a half rehearsal before the performance to get ready for show time.
The performance brings classic Christmas carols to Michelsen Hall, including “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night.” Throughout the program, audience members are invited to sing along, and lyrics are presented on screen for them to follow.
“I think there’s a lot of credit due to Dr. Patrick Lawrence who heads up this event, who is an extremely enthusiastic professor, and an enthusiastic performer,” Puffer said. “What he brings to Tuba Christmas is the community involvement aspect. He always likes to include something like that in any event he puts on. With this, there’s the overhead projector over the ensemble so people can sing along. I really think that’s what gives this program its real edge.”
Tuba Christmas is held every year. It is free and open to the public.
“I had a lot of fun,” Vanderheyden said. “I was expecting Christmas music to be played but not the whole crowd and the band itself to be that festive. That was a fun surprise and experience.”
“This is one of my favorite concerts of the year,” Lawrence said. “It’s just so great to get this many tubas and euphs together to play Christmas carols. I mean, what could be better?”
Kathryn Wisniewski
Reporter
kathryn.e.wisniewski@uwsp.edu
