A different kind of Christmas concert will take place in a few days and if you play the tuba or the euphonium, you’re welcome to join the fun. The 27th Annual QC TubaChristmas concert will be Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-3 p.m. at SouthPark Mall, former Younkers court, Moline. Bring your family and friends and enjoy this free public concert filled with holiday music and traditional carols.
At 10:00 a.m., tuba and euphonium players can meet at SouthPark Mall, Moline (the empty store space near Von Maur) for a quick rehearsal before the annual free QC TubaChristmas concert held at in the former Younkers court at 2 p.m. Dec. 8.
Tipton, Iowa Band Director and QC TubaChristmas participant Dusty Johnson will be this year’s QC TubaChristmas director; the 27th annual Quad City area concert.
TubaChristmas concerts are presented around the world each year, and started more than 40 years ago in New York City by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902, and American composer Alec Wilder who died on Christmas Eve, 1980.
The first TubaChristmas event was conducted in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink by Paul Lavalle in 1974.
QC TubaChristmas concert organizer, Chris Foster says typically over 100 tuba and euphonium players participate in the local concert.
“We have people from Scott, Rock Island, Jo Daviess, Cedar and Dubuque counties who come together for the concert,” he said, adding the music was arranged by Wilder.
“Wilder was the arranger of the traditional Christmas music performed at TubaChristmas,” Foster said. “Because of the work done by William J. Bell, Alec Wilder and Harvey Phillips, the tuba and euphonium have been brought out of being background instruments and treated with respect as solo instruments.”
Registration to play in the QC TUBACHRISTMAS concert is $10 and includes a commemorative button. Players may register Griggs Music, Davenport or at the venue before rehearsal. The concert is free and the public is welcomed.
For more information go to: https://www.griggsmusic.com/qctubachristmas/. The event is sponsored by Griggs Music, Davenport and Cedar Rapids.
For more information contact:
Tami Seitz, tseitz@griggsmusic.com or Chris Foster, cfoster@griggsmusic.com at Griggs Music 563-391-9000.
