Tuba players set for a blast at Alex

Tuba ChristmasThere are few better ways to let the neighborhood know the holiday season is here than to sound off with 200 tubas.

Merry Tuba Christmas will resonate at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Alex Theatre, reuniting professional, amateur, young and old, but most of all, jovial tuba players for its 30th year.

“Tuba players are generally a friendly lot,” said Scott Wilkinson of Burbank, who has participated in the event for 20 years. “Many people think of them as jolly, so that’s very appropriate for Christmas.” The extravaganza is one of 150 Tuba Christmases across the country started in 1974 by professional tuba musician Harvey Philips. In Glendale, the group plays a selection of Christmas and Hanukkah carols composed for the tuba and musicians decorate their instruments with holiday ornaments.

“Everybody’s got an interesting sense of humor,” said Cheryl McMillan of Burbank, who will play her 26th year in the Los Angeles Merry Tuba Christmas. “There’s a lot of hot air out there.”

McMillan will play a very small tuba called a euphonium.

“You hold them like a baby,” McMillan joked.

All the varying styles of tuba and pitches create a rare treat for the ears, said Jim Self, who helps direct the Tuba Christmas.

“It’s amazing, the different voices you get and how pretty it sounds when you get it all together,” McMillan said. “It’ll blow the doors off.”

It’s not often when that many tuba players get together either, so the musicians tend to have a little musical giddiness, the musicians confessed.

“I especially like the camaraderie and holiday spirit that has a playful sense and humorous side to it,” Wilkinson said. One year, a musician decorated his tuba with a Christmas tree poking out of it. And another musician attached lights that illuminated when notes played.

In the past, the event took place outside the Alex, but due to weather, the sing-along was moved inside the theater the past two years and will again this year. Musicians gather at 3:30 p.m. to register and practice the songs. Registration is $5 for musicians but the event is free to the public.

FYI

WHAT: Merry Tuba Christmas

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday; rehearsal at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at Wilson Avenue and Maryland Street, behind the Alex Theatre

WHERE: Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale

ADMISSION: Free for the public, $5 for musicians

CONTACT: Jim Self at (323) 656-6510 or www.jimself.com

FYI

WHAT: Holiday Beats, free music and dance performances

WHEN: 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday

WHERE: Milano’s Restaurant, 525 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Glendale Chess Park, 227 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Damon’s Restaurant, 317 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; and Glendale Marketplace, 144 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale