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Event to feature traditional holiday favorites performed on brass instruments 

COLUMBUS—The 26th annual TubaChristmas will occur Saturday, December 2, at at the Polk County High School auditorium. The concert begins at 1:30 p.m.      

The yearly TubaChristmas performance is a free public concert featuring a collection of tuba and baritone horn players performing holiday favorites. The traditional songs and carols planned for the performance have been arranged for this particular group of instruments.

Manfred Walter will be co-managing the concert with Will Leidheiser. This year will mark Walter’s last year of managing the concert, after being in charge of the event for over a decade.

“The concerts have always been well-attended, and it’s always great to see the audience participate,” Walter said. “There have been some great memories, like performing outdoors and one lady who has traveled to see all 26 performances.”

Big brass players near and far are invited to participate in the concert, and new players are always welcome. The local event seeks more players to join, and the participant registration fee is $10.

TubaChristmas concerts are not only a local Christmas tradition but have long been enjoyed worldwide. The idea was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher, William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day. The first TubaChristmas was conducted at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Since then, it has grown rapidly, with roughly 300 similar concerts planned for the holiday.

For more information or to sign up to play, contact Walter at waltermanfred37@gmail.com.