ABOUT

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 50th Anniversary (1974-2023).
Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2023 concerts will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. First and foremost, may we give respect, thanks, and recognition to Dr. Harvey G. Phillips. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his mentor/teacher, the late great tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902).
Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect - Harvey G. Phillips and William J. Bell - all the great artists/teachers who represent their heritage. Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged (for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, December 22, 1974 on “The Rink at Rockefeller Center”) by American composer Alec Wilder (died Christmas Eve, 1980). Through Wilder, TUBACHRISTMAS concerts pay grateful tribute to composers who have embraced these noble instruments with solo and ensemble compositions. Depending on the population of any given geographic area, TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract multiples of 100 participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.

TUBACHRISTMAS concerts are presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.

COLORADO SPRINGS TUBACHRISTMAS 2023

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TUBACHRISTMAS 2023

Now that Halloween is over, it is time to start thinking about TubaChristmas! This is the 50th anniversary of TubaChristmas!

The most important thing to let you know is that the date has been changed for this year! The Festival of Lights Parade changed their date to December 9th, so we are changing to that date also. The parade and TC have been on the first Saturday of December for as long as everyone can remember, and we hope it will be able to be moved back to that day in the future. We understand it is just for this year, but we will see...

Due to the date change, Andrew King will not be available to conduct this year. Stepping in for him will be Elena Zarecky, a music teacher in District 11, and a fine tuba player. She was highly recommended by Andy, and we are excited to have her on the podium this year!

Because this is the 50th Anniversary, the Harvey Phillips Foundation will have special commemorative hats, scarves and headbands available for purchase this year. They will be white with gold lettering. The regular red, green and blue items will not be available this year, but our local music stores may have a few still in stock. They do plan to make the red, green and blue items available again next year. I believe the special items will cost about $15.00 to $25.00.

DETAILS FOR COLORADO SPRINGS TUBACHRISTMAS 2023
SATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 3:30 P.M., ACACIA PARK-DOWNTOWN
(PRIOR TO THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE AT 6:00 P.M. ON TEJON STREET)

Below are the details you will need to know. TubaChristmas concerts are presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc. We also thank the Colorado Springs Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for their support.

Registration and rehearsal will be held at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave.

Parking is available at the church and on the streets around the church that are not blocked off for the parade. The church and other organizations and businesses in the downtown area use their parking lots as fundraisers during the parade. If you plan to stay for the parade and keep your car in one of those lots, please pay!

Registration begins at the church at 12:30 p.m. You will fill out a registration form and pay a $10 fee at this time. Please bring cash for the fee. You will receive a commemorative button.

Rehearsal begins at the church at 1:30 p.m. and usually runs for about 90 minutes. Please practice your music ahead of time. You will need your “Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas” book, a music stand, a pencil, and a cloth to collect your “water discharge”. Also bring clothespins, or other clips to hold your music at the park in case it is windy. Everyone usually walks over to the park together for the concert, and you can get back into the church following the concert to pick up any stuff that you leave there. Please come prepared for the weather, as we always do our best to perform outside! Also, decorate your instrument to add to the festivities. There are several prizes awarded during the day, including best decorated instruments!

Please note that the church requests no food or drink in the rehearsal room (water bottles OK).

We are very fortunate to have two amazing local music stores, Graner Music and Meeker Music, who support our event! Please visit them for TubaChristmas books and other merchandise!

If you need more information about Colorado Springs TubaChristmas, contact Chuck at cspringstubachristmas@gmail.com, or fill out the contact form below.

Please invite all your family and friends to the performance!

Playlist for 2023 Colorado Springs TubaChristmas:
#28. Carol of the Bells
#1. Adeste Fideles
#3. Deck the Halls
#4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
#5. The First Noel
#6. Good King Wenceslas
#9. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
#24. O Christmas Tree
#19. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
#11. Silent Night
#26. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
#33. Jingle Bells
#14. Joy to the World
#23. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
#15. We Three Kings (may be put in the program if time permits)

CONTACT

cspringstubachristmas@gmail.com