Submitted Photo Members of the Magic City TUBACHRISTMAS 2023 perform at Central Campus.

TUBACHRISTMAS will return to Minot on Saturday, Dec. 21. A free public concert will take place at 1 p.m. at Dakota Square Mall between Kay Jewelers and Zales Jewelers, according to a news release from Minot Symphony Orchestra. The event is presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.

Tuba and euphonium players of all ages are encouraged to register and participate in this holiday event. Participants should preregister at https://bit.ly/magiccitytubachristmas24.

On site registration and required $10 registration fee will be collected at 10 a.m., followed by rehearsal from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Musicians should bring their own music stand. Registration and rehearsal will take place at the Sleep Inn and Suites.

“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.

Each registrant will receive a TUBACHRISTMAS 2024 commemorative button.

The Magic City TUBACHRISTMAS will be directed by Efrain Amaya, Minot State University associate professor of music and music director of the Minot Symphony Orchestra. The program includes traditional Christmas favorites and an audience sing-along, with holiday favorites including “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”

This year is the 51st 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. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by Paul Lavalle in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Dec. 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.

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.