Tuba Christmas Frederick Maryland

[tubatooter1940]

I never want to miss a post from Klaus. I have been at this a long time and I am older than dirt but Klaus' wonderful experience and kind and patient explanations for us is so inspiring.
Thank you, sir.

[Rick Denney]

I am actually new to this whole "TubaChristmas" Scene and just heard about it this year, assuming there was none in Canada. Turns out there is, and registration is next week. Anyone wanna tell me what its all about? What do you do anyway..............how does the music accomodate people just learnign and advanced players.............it seems all very vague to me.

The music is a series of arrangements of carols made by Alec Wilder. The event itself is an homage to Bill Bell. Harvey Phillips started TubaChristmas and his foundation runs the events under that name.

The Wilder arrangements, it must be said, are not my favorites. They are more difficult than they need to be. The upper tuba part will challenge the endurance of all but pro-trained players, and so most kids and hobbyists show up with a big tuba and play the fourth part. Thus, the fourth part is usually too strong and contains too much of the young-player B-17 squadron sound. Ditto the second euph part. I usually take F tuba and play the upper tuba part, but I have to say that playing the book straight through is a bit tiring. I would like it better if the third and fourth parts traded baritone and bass roles more often.

The music used by some others who organize Christmas tuba events outside the TubaChristmas umbrella are actually more suited to the wide variety of performers.

By the way, Brassdad, you can come do it again at Harper's Ferry on Saturday. I'll be there, too. It's small and much more fun than the blast-fest at the Kennedy Center.

Rick "who only lives 20 miles from Fred-Neck, but who only does one or at most two TC's a year" Denney

[ASTuba]

One of the things that I always enjoyed about the Atlanta Tuba Christmas was the fact that we did probably 10 tunes at the concert, but they all were rehearsed with dynamics, and sound. If someone was blatting through the 4th tuba part, the director, Don Strand, would let them know that was unacceptable.

I really miss that event alreaddy.

[Brassdad]

Brassdad, you can come do it again at Harper's Ferry on Saturday. I'll be there, too. It's small and much more fun than the blast-fest at the Kennedy Center.

Rick "who only lives 20 miles from Fred-Neck, but who only does one or at most two TC's a year" Denney

Rick...Sat is a bad time for us to get to another Tuba Christmas.
My son has his HS Band Christmas Parade at F'Brugh Va.

We are considering the Leesburg event run by the same gentleman.

[Rick Denney]

We are considering the Leesburg event run by the same gentleman.

Rick always runs a good, small TC. I wish we could get him to play and not just direct--he's an excellent tuba player.

The Leesburg event is usually at the outlet mall rather than the scenic and historic spots in Harper's Ferry, and usually has fewer people. But it's quite close to me, and I'll go to that one, too, if I'm not otherwise committed that day.

Rick "not the same Rick" Denney