This year’s TubaChristmas concert will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Polk County High School, 1681 Highway 108, Columbus.

There is no admission fee to attend the concert, which is open to the public.

TubaChristmas was established to preserve and advance the popularity of the sound of the brass section of the band instruments.

Tubas and euphoniums had been around for a very long time. Sousa took his “turn” by reworking the instrument to adapt it for marching, giving the world the sousaphone with the same sound quality. The same has been done with the euphonium and the French horn to make them easier to play while moving in formation.

This has also had the effect of making them more popular with younger players who could not handle the heavier instruments. TubaChristmas has had as one of its goals to be an instrument of encouragement for the students in the schools to learn about and appreciate the unique sound that a full chorus could make, organizers said.

– Submitted by Betsy Zeek