MINOT – After a nine-year hiatus, TUBACHRISTMAS will return to the Magic City on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Tuba and euphonium players of all ages are encouraged to participate, and a free public concert will take place at 4pm in the theater at Central Campus - 215 1st St SE Minot. This event is presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.
Tuba and euphonium players are encouraged to register and participate in this fun holiday event. All participants are encouraged to pre-register at bit.ly/magiccitytubachristmas. On site registration and required $10 registration fee will be collected from 1pm to 1:45 followed by rehearsal from 2-3pm. Musicians will then have a break before the 4pm performance. Registration, rehearsal, and performance will take place in the theater at Central Campus. Each registrant will receive a TUBACHRISTMAS 2023 commemorative button. “Carols for a Merry TUBACHRISTMAS'' books will be available to borrow or purchase. Festive holiday attire including ‘Ugly Christmas Sweaters’, Santa hats, and tinsel are encouraged!
The Magic City TUBACHRISTMAS will be directed by Dr. David Rolandson, MSU Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Division of Performing Arts with special guest conductor Efrain Amaya, MSU Associate Professor of Music and Music Director of the Minot Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Kateri Miller, MSU Assistant Professor of Music Education Division of Performing Arts will host and lead the audience in sing-alongs. The program includes traditional Christmas favorites including Jingle Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night and more!
2023 is the 50th year of TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium. The Harvey Phillips Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation incorporated in the state of New York and is dedicated to "…developing, expanding, and preserving the music arts…" Registration fees help cover increasing production, promotion, and administrative costs for TUBACHRISTMAS.
Please contact coordinators Dr. Kateri Miller at kateri.miller@minotstateu.edu or Ellen Fenner, Minot Symphony Orchestra Executive Director at minotsymphony@minotstateu.edu, or call
the Minot Symphony Orchestra box office at 701-858-4228 with any questions.
