DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (HHSO) will produce the first-ever MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS on Hilton Head Island on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Lowcountry Celebration Park (94 Pope Avenue). The performance of Christmas carols and Gullah music will take place beginning at 12:45 pm, as part of the Gullah Holiday Market presented by the Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association (NIBCAA) from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

For the performance (and 10:00 am rehearsal on the same day), the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra invites euphonium and tuba players of all ages and ability levels to participate. Registration is $10 for adults; the registration fees for middle, high school, and college students are graciously covered by Hilton Head Island MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS underwriters Janet M. Stallmeyer and Donald L. Flora. All registrants will receive a commemorative 2023 50th Anniversary MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS button. Participants can also purchase music (32 carols arranged in four parts) for $20 for the 6”x 8” set or $25 for the larger print 8-1/2” by 11” set.

This performance will include two Gullah tradition songs arranged by HHSO Principal Tuba Christopher Bluemel. Guest conducting the ensemble will be LTC (Ret.) Tim Smith from The Citadel.

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is now celebrating its 50th Anniversary (1974-2023). Created by Dr. Harvey G. Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2023 concerts will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS as an annual event honoring his mentor/teacher, friend and associate, the late great tubist William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902). Every Christmas season, tuba and euphonium players of all ages, from specific geographic areas, gather to pay respect to Phillips, Bell and all the great artists and teachers who represent the heritage of the “most noble of instruments.” Every TUBACHRISTMAS performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged (for the first TUBACHRISTMAS, December 22, 1974 on “The Rink at Rockefeller Center”) by American composer Alec Wilder. It is no wonder why the warm toned, smooth organ sounds of the tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience, making a TUBACHRISTMAS concert an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.

Advanced registration—by November 22, 2023—is strongly encouraged, to make sure we have sufficient buttons and music. To register and to order music, click on the link below.

Register to Participate and Order Music

Check in on December 2nd will be from 9:30 – 10:00 am at SoundWaves, 7 Lagoon Road. The rehearsal will be at SoundWaves from 10:00 – 11:30 am. Participants will also receive a lunch ticket to redeem at one of the food trucks at the Gullah Holiday Market. Chairs, stands and other equipment will be moved from SoundWaves to Lowcountry Celebration Park at 11:30 am. The performance is scheduled to run from 12:45 – 1:30 pm.

Friends and family of participants are encouraged to bring a chair and support the Gullah Christmas Market.

For more information, please e-mail HHSO President and CEO Alan Jordan at ajordan@hhso.org or call the HHSO office at (843) 842-2055.

The 2023 Hilton Head Island MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is generously underwritten by Janet M. Stallmeyer and Donald L. Flora.