Blacksburg Winter LIghts Festival information

ATTENTION ALL TUBA AND EUPHONIUM PLAYERS!
All ages and ability levels!
Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

Conducted by Virginia Tech Director of Bands, Derek Shapiro.

TUBACHRISTMAS is held annually at the Blacksburg Winter Lights Festival in Downtown Blacksburg. Participants of all ages are invited to bring their euphoniums and tubas of all sizes to participate in this yearly tradition to raise money for the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc. Each member must have their own “Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas" music book which can be purchased here or purchased when you arrive for registration. RSVPs are strongly encouraged. 

RSVP here to attend
  • Parking: Kent Square Parking Garage at 207 Draper Rd., Blacksburg, VA 24060
  • 3:45 pm: Registration opens - $10 due at the door (cash or check)
  • 4:15-5:15 pm: Rehearsal (Creativity and Innovation District LLC Building, 185 Kent St.)
  • 5:15 pm: Dinner break - pizza, water, and cookies will be provided for the musicians. (Squires Student Center, 290 College Ave., room 243)
  • 6:00 pm: Performance on Henderson Lawn Square (chairs and music stand provided as needed)
  • CAROLS FOR A MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS music - $25 - (can be purchased at registration and can be used every year)
  • Your tuba or euphonium
  • TUBACHRISTMAS hats and/or scarves - $20
  • Commemorative buttons - $10

TubaChristmas is sponsored by Downtown Blacksburg, Inc, the Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts, and The Marching Virginians at Virginia Tech.

About TubaChristmas
2024 is the 51st anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. 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. Wilder composed many solo and ensemble compositions for tuba and euphonium. He was a loyal supporter of every effort to improve the literature and public image of our chosen instruments. Through Alec Wilder we express our respect and gratitude to all composers who continue to embrace our instruments with their compositions and contribute to the ever growing solo and ensemble repertoire for tuba and euphonium.