Allen Community College music director Ted Clous is bringing back a national tradition for the holiday season — one many people have never heard of.
Merry Tuba Christmas, set for the Sunday in the ACC theater, is a holiday tradition that is recognized nationally, and was created in the memory of one of the greatest tubists of the 20th century. William J. Bell was born on Christmas Day in 1902. He was recognized as an innovator for the instrument.
Nationally, universities and orchestras across the country play Christmas songs with the unmistakable sound of the tuba. The tradition was started by Harvey Phillips in 1974 in Bell’s memory.
“The community loves it,” Clous said. “Many people told me that they hadn’t heard about it.”
He said the program has not been held over the past few years, and people from the community have expressed that they would like to see the program make a comeback.
He said Merry Tuba Christmas is generally performed by larger universities and orchestras, and it is very unique for a college the size of ACC to perform the traditional program.
“It’s a really cool thing. I don’t know of any other community colleges that do it,” Clous said. “It is not a goof-off event. People take it really seriously,” Clous said. “But it is still a lot of fun.”
Clous said TubaChristmas can be performed by any amount of musicians from the community, and this program is no different. He said in addition to the ACC musicians, tubists and baritonists from the high schools and community will be playing. The musicians will perform classic Christmas carols specifically composed for the deep sound of tubas and baritones.
College revives brass concert tradition
