This year you’ll enjoy two shows in one at the annual Tuba Christmas concert at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. Even during the theater’s construction phase, musicians gathered during the holidays to celebrate a national tradition performing holiday favorites on low brass instruments. Over the years, the Yuba-Sutter edition of Tuba Christmas has achieved “tradition” status.
Come out and enjoy some great brass band holiday music at this special concert at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts, Sunday, December 15th starting at 6:30pm, 754 Plumas Street in Yuba City. General admission tickets are $10. The performance will also include a community sing-along. And be sure to visit the Art Box Gallery and see the lobby art displays and do some holiday gift shopping. Twelve artists have artwork on display representing a wide range of styles and genres. Musicians interested in participating in Tuba Christmas should arrive at 1:30pm to register. Rehearsal begins at @2pm.
2024 is the 50th anniversary of Tuba Christmas concerts which occur worldwide. The event celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium, though some participants bring rarer members of the family such as the helicon, ophicleide, serpent, and double bell euphonium. The idea was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his music teacher and mentor William J. Bell who was born on Christmas Day, 1902. The first Tuba Christmas was conducted by Paul Lavalle at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza on Sunday, December 22, 1974.
For years, Tuba Christmas has been held locally at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. The all-volunteer band is led by local professional musician and music educator, Deanna Weisman, who will be playing euphonium for the concert. Deanna has a Master of Arts in Education degree and has been teaching for 25 years, currently in the Marysville Joint Unified School District and is also the band manager for the Yuba-Sutter Big Band. She’s also the lead instructor for the new MJUSD Youth Mariachi Orchestra program.
This year, as a special added attraction, we will present the inaugural performance of the newly formed Yuba-Sutter Community Band. It’s a group of musicians that just want to have fun and play music, so they get together every week to make a beautiful noise. The group ranges in age and includes student musicians as well. They will perform a wide variety of music. For more information about Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture programs and events, call at 530-742-ARTS or email david@yubasutterarts.org.