Merry TubaChristmas!
Erie’s sixth annual TubaChristmas concert will take place on Saturday, December 1, in the McGarvey Commons at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
The performance begins at 1:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
As its name implies, TubaChristmas is songs of the season interpreted by a choir of tuba and euphonium performers. All student, amateur, and professional musicians are invited to join the concert choir; rehearsal will be prior to the performance, from 9:30 until 11:45 that morning.
The professional tuba quartet UnderCurrents also will perform. UnderCurrents is Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Behrend; Daniel Burdick, associate professor of low brass at Edinboro University; Lowell Hepler, director of bands at Allegheny College; and Ronald Stitt, a member of Allegheny’s music faculty.
TubaChristmas debuted at Rockefeller Center’s ice rink in 1974 as a tribute to the late tuba legend William J. Bell, who was born Christmas Day 1902. The event has since grown to the point that it is held in 200-plus cities each year. TubaChristmas is produced by the Harvey Phillips Foundation and Erie's event is supported by the Mary Behrend Cultural Fund and UnderCurrents.
For more information about the performance, e-mail Gary Viebranz or phone 814-898-6289.