TUBACHRISTMAS Words of Advice

ubertuba · Post by **ubertuba** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:45 am

I'm a high school senior tuba player in Maryland, and two weeks ago I attended my first tubachristmas in Baltimore. I think this event might be somewhat unusual, because I remember there being more older players than young kids by a substantial margin. Of course there were some blatty sousaphones, but nothing the rest of the group couldn't handle.

Other than that, it was great! Especially rehearsing next to the pretty college chick (with the VERY pretty Willson)!

imperialbari · Post by **imperialbari** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 5:04 am

KevinMadden · Post by **KevinMadden** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:16 am

I went to my first Tubachristmas this year. It was the one in Syracuse, NY we had about 115 players and I was quite happy with the overall sound of the group. I only heard two instance of excessive blatting (and general bad sound) , one was an older person behind me, the man next to him at one point said "hey man, you need to chill out now!" and he did, and quit the blatting. The other one was a HS kid from a certain local Senior Corps on a DEG G. Not so much his problem (in terms of consciously choosing to sound bad) , as him not knowing how to blow a 5/4 G, being a corps man myself, who spent a few summers on an even bigger G, i had to restrain myslef from running back there and telling him "no, no, no more air! bigger airstream !!!" but overall a very satisfying experience.

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:57 am

Jam sessions-even accompanied by rehearsals, can turn into car wrecks, sometimes. I refuse to give up a chance to inspire newbies and happily surprise us old goats. Gotta keep trying.

Kevin Miller · Post by **Kevin Miller** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:38 am

The Dallas event was a good show. I had the chance to go out amongst the crowd during a few tunes. WOW!! I think it was the best attended and best received event I have been part of. Alex Burton, the announcer, spotted a woman who was signing (yes signing, not singing) the lyrics for who appeared to be her grandmother. Alex invited her out front to sign We Three Kings for the whole crowd while we played. Let me tell you, I'm about as gristled and cynical of a musician as you will find, but this was a special moment and the audience loved it. Congrats to all who played. Despite a few misfires, the tempos were good and the playing was as good as can be expected.

Bandmaster · Post by **Bandmaster** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:02 pm

The Disneyland TubaChristmas went well yesterday, no over blowing or blatting. Not bad behavior for over 275 players.

We even had one of these show up to be played. Talk about rare...

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:44 pm

Bandmaster wrote:The Disneyland TubaChristmas went well yesterday, no over blowing or blatting. Not bad behavior for over 275 players.
We even had one of these show up to be played. Talk about rare...

Rare enough! That's a first for me. Wow! What is the history behind that? Cavalry?

imperialbari · Post by **imperialbari** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:02 pm

chipster55 · Post by **chipster55** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:12 pm

I concur with Mr. Miller, the Dallas TubaChristmas was good. The best for me was all 187 of us singing the first verse of Silent Night, then playing it. My wife, who was out in front, said it sounded like a "men's chorus". It was a very nice touch & the crowd liked it.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:11 pm

I can report that the Boston TubaChristmas, with about 150 players, went well. If there were blatters, I couldn't hear them. There was a very large and appreciative audience. In Boston, we collect money for charity. Instead of passing a hat, we pass a tuba (a elderly instrument loaned by Rayburn Music). Well over a thousand dollars was collected.

I sat at one edge of the group, and answered many questions about tubas. It seems that there is a lot of lively curiosity about our instruments. One woman, who clearly had some musical experience, wanted to know how it was possible for BBb and CC tubas to read from the same music. I tried to explain, but failed. Tubas and their traditions will probably forever remain a mystery to some folks.

Cheers,
Allen

DaTubaKid · Post by **DaTubaKid** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:05 pm

Just got back from Chicago TubaChristmas. Thoroughly enjoyed myself, and with the exception of the sousaphone behind me who decided to drop bombshells every note for Jingle bells, I felt the ensemble was rather controlled. I wanted to go punch him. He was a high schooler (his sousaphone had his school's cover on it...), but with the exception of a few random blats throughout the whole performance, it was tasteful overall.

Seating for the audience scared me though! My mom almost did get a seat, and boy would it have been a long car ride home if she hadn't!

Pure Sound · Post by **Pure Sound** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:32 pm

Some times I wish conductors would wear orange gloves for out door concerts so you could see their hand's. They seem to blend in with the sea of people standing behind them...... or maybe i'm just getting old

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:49 pm

Klaus wrote:The whole point of liking to play good sousaphones is, that one has no need to overblow to fulfil a sonorous bass function. One will be heard anyway.

Okay, this must be said. Those who strive for opportunities to play sousaphones in public seem to be highly represented by those who think of tuba playing as a competitive sport rather than making music. Thus, they have no regard for or awareness of "a sonorous bass function". They only care about outblowing their mates.

Generalizations are not predictive, but descriptive. That is what I have observed, with too much correlation to deny.

I have not been able to confirm by my observation that this affliction affects only schoolkids.

Rick "a sousaphone owner who took his F tuba to TubaChristmas" Denney

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:16 am

Would anyone consider taking a late December vacation in 2007 to play for a TubaChristmas concert here in Saigon? I don't think I am starting too early.

My wife had the idea of especially inviting veterans who were here during the war, especially those who played in the U.S. military bands that were here.

Spread the word. Thanks.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Eupher6 · Post by **Eupher6** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:01 pm

Having seen this thread for the first time, I've done many TC's in 5 different states and have a few stories as well, but by far the best one I've ever played is the one sponsored by Bill Park, retired director of bands in North Royalton, OH, and conducted by Dr. Keith Wilkinson who just happens to be the conductor of the brass band I play in. The venue is an Episocopal church in Cleveland, and it's glorious in appearance and sound.

Instrumentation is somewhat limited - I'd say maybe 15 tubas and about 10 or 12 euphs.

Blatting is not a problem, even though some of the players are younger.

Bill does some of his own arranging and inserts those pieces (which include percussion) along with the usual pieces out of the book.

By all accounts, a great TC, an appreciative audience, and a wonderful venue.

TubeNet

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