TubaChristmas Chicago

a2ba4u · Post by **a2ba4u** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:50 am

Hey All--

Perhaps this question has already been answered in some indirect way, but I'm wondering what's up with the Chicago TubaChristmas this year. It's not listed on the list of TC's at the TC website, and I haven't noticed anyone talking about it on this forum (OK, I know it's only October). It seems odd that they would just cancel such a large date in such a big city. Could it be that the date and related info simply isn't confirmed/posted yet? I would like to know something definitive because I have participated in this event for the last 8 years and need to start making plans NOW to participate in it for a ninth.

All the best,

Kyle

brianf · Post by **brianf** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:57 pm

Someone called me up about this so I made a call to the TubaRanch. Here's the thing:

TubaChristmas in Chicago has grown and has been at a few places over the years. In the past few years it was at the Palmer House Hilton's lobby. Last year it got moved to the Ballroom. Seems to get the audience in, it was unexpectedly done in two groups. A year or so ago there was the E2 fire, a real tragedy where 25 died because the place was overfilled among other problems. This has caused all venues in Chicago to pay closer attention to the occupancy signs. Back to TubaChristmas. When you have 400 performers, that eats up a lot of occupancy. If a hall can seat 700, that means there can be an audience of only 300 - that's what happenned last year so two performances were done.

The question is where in the City of Chicago is a place where the stage can take 400 with an audience of 1000+. Next, is it available and at what price. Mr Phillips wanted me to investigate so I'd appreciate any comments.

Until then it is up in the air when and where Chicago TubaChristmas will be held.

CrappyEuph · Post by **CrappyEuph** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:14 am

I remember recently at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Canadian Brass concert in one of the hotel lobbies was broken up by hotel personnel who were concerned about fire regulations. What a drag.

Have you considered asking Midwest to host TubaChristmas? How about DePaul, Northwestern, UIC, or the Daley Plaza?

- Jamie

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:54 am

Okay, this is an admittedly offbeat idea - but why not have a Tuba Christmas parade down State Street and end up with a concert in Daley Plaza. With 400 tubists you could have 10 bands of 40 tubists playing a different Christmas tune and then a mass band concert at the end.

I would think the State Street Merchants Assoc. might like the idea of a 4 block parade bringing foot traffic and might even kick in a little cash/help.
You could even have tuba themed floats.
The city loves having concerts at Daley Plaza and there are concerts all summer long at noon there.

Downside - it can be cold in Dec. in Chicago - 20's - 40's and there is a chance for snow - although there isn't a lot of snow in Dec. & it is usually light fluffy snow. Also tuba players would have to hold their tuba's for the parade - (the city might provide chairs) for the concert in Daley Plaza

For the parade perhaps the non-sousaphone/helicon players could play on the floats which perhaps could be provided by the State Street Merchants Assoc. or maybe on city trucks. Just think you could be the first on your block to say that you played your horn on the back of a City of Chicago Streets & Sanitation Truck!

brianf · Post by **brianf** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 12:45 pm

it can be cold in Dec. in Chicago - 20's - 40's

This is December in Chicago! The temp can be from -20 to +60 usually on the colder side. Then there is wind chill - forget an outdoor gig!

Also, after the great State Street mistake of the Byrne administration, they tore up the mall and allow traffic again.

Won't work.

a2ba4u · Post by **a2ba4u** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:40 pm

Well, since I started this thread and since Brian asked for ideas, I'll go ahead and contribute my $0.02.

First, I always thought that it would make much more sense to "piggy back" TubaChristmas in Chicago with the Midwest Clinic rather than trying to do 2 separate events. The massive ballroom in the Hilton can easily hold over 1000 people, and there is always significant interest from midwest attendees--especially young band directors who have never experienced 400 tubas and euphoniums. This would probably be much more of a logistical nightmare than I realize, but it still might be something to consider for next year.

Second, what about Orchestra Hall? I'm sure that the space is prohibitively expensive, but they may be willing to donate 6 hours of time for some free positive publicity (we always make the evening news and are in the next day's paper).

Third, has anyone ever considered the Great Hall at Union Station? There is PLENTY of space in there, even though it would be something of an acoustical nightmare.

I'm sure that most, if not all, of these ideas have been considered (and rejected), but since opinions were solicited, I decided to bring them up.

Kyle

brianf · Post by **brianf** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:50 pm

I'll try to answer a few points.

Midwest has way to much going on, so much that this year some events will be held at the Palmer House. They don't want TubaChristmas, they have enough stuff going on. Orchestra Hall is an option but not for this Year, maybe down the line. Union Station would be great but there is no rehersal place and it's dead during the day. I've brought up the State of Illinois Building but the building is wide open and business would basically have to shut down - there is also the rehersal problem.

I touched on a problem earlier without much explanation. A few years back there was a tragedy at an overcrowded night club where 25 people died trying to get out. The fire marshall is really cracking down. If a place has an occupancy of 1000, that means with 400 players, there is room for only 600 in the audience. Not enough so, where in Chicago can a hall be had pretty cheap that holds at least 1500? Any suggestions??

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:13 pm

brianf wrote:Not enough so, where in Chicago can a hall be had pretty cheap that holds at least 1500? Any suggestions??

A couple of thoughts:

1) Have you considered limiting participation? The first x number of tubist/euphoniumists to register.

2) Are there still any Naval Air Stations around Chicago? A nice big hanger would be cool.

Dean E · Post by **Dean E** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:50 pm

brianf wrote:. . . . Not enough so, where in Chicago can a hall be had pretty cheap that holds at least 1500? Any suggestions??

FWIW.

December holidays:
Daley Center
Water Tower Place
Mc Cormick Place
Old Orchard Mall, Skokie

TubaChristmas in summer: The official book premiered in Bethlehem, PA, last August. Reserve time at the new outdoor music pavillion at Millennium Park.

sinfonian · Post by **sinfonian** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:44 am

With the Museum of Science and Industry always having a Christmas around the world display would there be enough room to add TubaChristmas around the world.

Maybe as a series of smaller events with 50-100 players each for the 4 Saturdays and/or Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Players could make a reservation for 1 of the dates and when the reservations for a day are full it would be cut off of additional participants. I know this lack the magic of 400 tuba players and the celeberties (at least to us) that the mass event attracts but might get us to a larger audiance in the end.

Just a thought.

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:50 pm

Brian:

Regarding using the Thompson Center . . . did you talk to anyone at the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), the landlord for the JRTC? I worked in the "spaceship" for 17 years and it was common for various groups to hold Christmas (or holiday) concerts in the lower level during the lunch hour. Frankly, there's not a whole hell of a lot of work going on in there the week before Christmas anyway. if the wx is mild, the plaza in front of the building would be great. there's always a lot of foot traffic in the area.

I might be worthwile pitching this to the state. I have a couple of ideas as to who could be contacted. please e-mail me if interested.

Alex F.

CrappyEuph · Post by **CrappyEuph** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:31 pm

So has anyone figured out if there's going to be a Chicago TUBACHRISTMAS yet?

sinfonian · Post by **sinfonian** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:37 pm

Any response yet?

brianf · Post by **brianf** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:22 pm

I have it from a very reliable source that it will be held Dec 22 at the Palmer House. Registration and Rehersal starting at 9, performance at 12.

The Midwest will run a week earlier so this will be the first time that TubaChristmas will not occur during Midwest.

brianf · Post by **brianf** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:25 pm

Like you register for any TubaChristmas- at the door when you arrive!

tofu · Post by **tofu** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 1:45 am

Hey Brian - nice effort getting the Palmer House - just down the street from my office.

There will also be a Tuba Christmas in Naperville Illinois - a booming western suburb of Chicago. The Metra Commuter train stop is about 4 blocks from the rehearsal. Come rehearse in the new spectacular $2.5 million home of the Naperville Municipal Band (NMB). Details below. I believe there is also one on Dec. 13th in Flossmoor, IL a southern suburb of Chicago.

Mike Incopero

NAPERVILLE - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Â Â Â TIMES: 10:30 am - U.S. Bank - Corner of Washington & Jefferson
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12:30 pm - Westfield Mall - Route 59 & Aurora Avenue
REGISTRATION: 8:00 am Community Concert Center
REHEARSAL: 9:00 am same
PARKING: Around Central Park
NOTE: Concert Center is located behind U.S. Bank in Central Park.
CONDUCTOR: Dr. Ronald Keller
COORDINATOR: Dr. Ronald Keller (630) 961-0908

AndyL · Post by **AndyL** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:23 am

Here's the official link to 2004 Chicago TubaChristmas info for those who have been inquiring:

http://www.tubachristmas.com/readtcloc.php?TCState=IL

TubeNet

TubaChristmas Chicago

TubaChristmas Chicago

Chicago TubaChristmas Link