Huntington will be one of more than 250 cities participating in TubaChristmas, thanks to Marshall University’s School of Music and Theatre. Marshall’s Director of Bands, Brian Walden, will conduct West Virginia TubaChristmas, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Huntington Mall.
TubaChristmas was created by “titan of the tuba” Harvey Phillips to honor his teacher, the late William J. Bell, who was born Christmas Day in 1902. Every TubaChristmas performance since the first in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza in 1974 has featured traditional Christmas carols specially arranged by American composer Alec Wilder.
“Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages gather in cities across the globe to pay their respects to all the great artists and teachers who represent their heritage,” said Dr. George Palton, West Virginia TubaChristmas coordinator and faculty member at Marshall.
“The warm and rich, organ-like sound of the low brass choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience,” Palton said. “It is no wonder TubaChristmas has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.”
All area performers are invited to participate in WV TubaChristmas. Registration and rehearsal begin at 10 and 11 a.m., respectively, at the Smith Music Hall Band Room on Marshall’s Huntington campus. For more information about these events or music at Marshall University, contact Palton at 304-696-3117 or palton@marshall.edu.
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Photo: Brian Walden, Marshall University’s director of bands, will conduct the West Virginia TubaChristmas Saturday, Dec. 5.