A genuine Tuba Christmas will soon become a reality in the tri-county area.
That’s because the Bands of The Villages is sponsoring the local event patterned off a tradition that started in 1974 in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, where musicians playing more than 300 instruments in the tuba family performed popular Christmas carol arrangements.
The upcoming show will mark the 14th local Tuba Concert, which last year included 65 musicians. Anyone who plays an instrument in the tuba family is invited to participate, but Bands of The Villages has made a special effort to involve middle and high school musicians. They also cover the fees for participating students and directors in adjoining communities.
The Tuba Christmas event, which will include delightful renditions of such holiday favorites as “Jingle Bells” and “Away In A Manger,” will be held Saturday, Dec. 21 from 2-3 p.m. at New Life Christian Church, located at 4701 E County Road 462 in Wildwood. The free concert will be conducted by Jean Butler. For more information, contact John Bird at [email protected].