| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 3, 2004 - Shirley Luna
Note to Editor: TubaChristmas is all one word.
Area musicians invited to participate in TubaChristmas
Tuba, euphonium and baritone players across East Texas are invited
to join in the 31st anniversary of TubaChristmas in conjunction with
the Nacogdoches Nine Flags Festival at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20.
Jeff Schultz, tuba and euphonium instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University,
is coordinating the local tuba-euphonium choir.
Participants will register at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, in the SFA Music Building
and rehearse from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Each musician must bring or purchase a copy
of ÒCarols for a Merry TubaChristmas.Ó The registration fee is $5, and the music
books cost either $12 or $15, depending on the size purchased.
Created by Harvey Phillips, Merry TubaChristmas 2004 concerts will be presented
in more than 180 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.
Phillips was inspired to create the annual event as a tribute to his teacher
and acclaimed tubist, William J. Bell, who was born Christmas Day 1902.
During his career as a professional musician, Bell served as the principal tubist
of The Sousa Band, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra
and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and later taught at Indiana University.
Every Christmas season, in different geographical areas, tuba and euphonium players
of all ages gather to play traditional Christmas carols especially arranged by
American composer Alec Wilder for the first TubaChristmas held in 1974 in New
York CityÕs Rockefeller Plaza. Wilder, who wrote many solo and ensemble compositions
for tuba and euphonium, died on Christmas Eve 1980.
This year will be the first time that a TubaChristmas concert will be held in
Nacogdoches, Schultz said.
ÒThe Nine Flags Festival provides an excellent opportunity to involve area musicians
of all ages and to introduce TubaChristmas to the community,Ó said Schultz. ÒOur
performance is scheduled right before the downtown lighting ceremony at 8 p.m.,
and weÕre excited to be a part of the festivities.Ó
For more information on participating in TubaChristmas, call Schultz at (936)
468-4107 or e-mail him at jschultz@sfasu.edu.
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