By NATE KING
Salina Post
The sounds of big brass instruments will once again ring out at the Salina Central Mall as the 12th annual Salina TubaChristmas concert returns on Dec. 14, 2024. This free event will feature tubas and euphoniums performing holiday favorites in rich, four-part harmony.
The concert begins at 12:30 p.m. in the mall’s food court, featuring a community brass ensemble led by retired KWU music instructor Steven Leuth. The event brings together brass musicians from across central Kansas and beyond, including high school students, college musicians, and experienced adult players.
A Tradition of Holiday Music
Salina’s TubaChristmas is part of a long-standing national tradition founded more than 50 years ago by professional tuba player Harvey Phillips and his instructor, William J. Bell, from Indiana University.
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.
“We’ve held it for 12 years here in Salina,” said retired Salina Symphony tuba player and event organizer Ron McWilliams. “Last year, we had 32 tubas and euphoniums playing and we’re excited to do it again.”
When asked, "Why tubas and not clarinets or saxaphones?" McWilliams said it's thanks to the rich, resonant tones of tubas and euphoniums
“It’s a deep, mellow sound, kind of like a men’s quartet,” McWilliams said. “When you’re in a big place like the food court, it feels like you’re sitting in the middle of a church organ.”
McWilliams said part of the fun with TubaChristmas is getting to make music with longtime friends like Leuth.
"Steven is a well-known entertainer. He plays with the group The Blades. He's taught at KWU and Bennington. He's our director and has been a friend of mine for 50-plus years," McWilliams said. "We met at college at Fort Hays State University."
TubaChristmas is a nationwide event, and with Salina positioned at the "Crossroads of America," McWilliams said tuba and euphonium players from across the state are coming to town.
"Last year we had someone from Oklahoma City. We have had tuba players from south of Wichita come up on a regular basis," McWilliams said. "We have also had several players from Concordia and players from all over central Kansas come into this and look forward to it."
How to Participate
High school and adult tuba and euphonium players are encouraged to participate. Registration is $10, with music books available for $15. Participants should bring a music stand and arrive at the Friendship Center’s upper level, 746 Comanche Ave., between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Rehearsal runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
“It’s a lot of fun,” McWilliams said. “We rehearse in the morning and perform for an hour. It’s a great way for musicians to come together and share their love of music."
Upcoming Brass Performance
The Salina Area Christmas Brass Choir, a dynamic ensemble of up to 70 community musicians, including trumpets, trombones, tubas, French horns, baritones, and percussionists KWU Dean Krantzler and Hannah Applequist, will perform a holiday concert on Dec. 21 at the same location in the Salina Central Mall.
This concert is also free to the public.