Now hear this: Tuba Christmas blows this weekend
The music of up to 80 instruments will fill the air at Victoria’s 39th annual Tuba Christmas on Saturday.
Tubas and euphoniums — similar to tubas, but smaller and higher-pitched — will join together in concert at Market Square from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is by donation, with money collected going to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund.
Conducting for the third year is Paul Beauchesne, who took over for the late Eugene Dowling. Dowling was one of Beauchesne’s teachers, and also preceded him as principal tubist with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
Beauchesne said that Dowling had a long association with the Christmas Fund.
“He thought it was a good, local charity to support, and it’s just increased in the good that it’s doing.”
Beauchesne said that’s because the Christmas Fund works with other organizations to “make sure they can help as many people as they can over the holiday season.”
Those organizations are the Salvation Army and the Mustard Seed Street Church, which distribute hampers and gift certificates to people in need. The Christmas Fund also helps with the Mustard Seed’s annual Christmas dinner, which feeds more than 1,000 people.
Beauchesne said musicians come from many places to take part in Tuba Christmas, which has become a seasonal favourite.
“Sometimes there are people coming up from the States to play,” he said. “And we do get guests from across the province and farther afield, even.
“It depends who’s back in town over the holidays.”
Tubas and euphoniums fit well with holiday music, Beauchesne said.
“I love the songs that feature the tuba on the melody part, like We Three Kings or Good King Wenceslas,” he said. “The Jingle Bells arrangement is always a crowd pleaser.”
Market Square is a good venue for the concert and suits the sound, Beauchesne said.
“It’s neat how it echoes out through the surrounding streets.”
The concept for Tuba Christmas dates to 1974 in New York City. Concerts are now held in more than 300 cities.