About TUBACHRISTMAS

what is tubachristmas?

TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902 in Creston, Iowa. 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. 2023 is the 50th anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the world.

Examples

Is TUBACHRISTMAS only in Des Moines?

NO, TUBACHRISTMAS events are presented all over the country and a few international under the organization and guidance of the Harvey Phillips Foundation. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was performed in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Click the button below for a list of other events in Iowa and throughout the country.

tubachristmas.com

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Hosting TUBACHRISTMAS Events

purpose of tubachristmas

Bring together tuba and euphonium players of all ages to rehearse and present free public concerts of Christmas Carols; provide players with a rewarding musical experience; instill in us a sense of pride and dedication to music an our chosen instruments; and illustrate the beauty of the tuba/euphonium choir to a public experience.
Bring about a better understanding and appreciation of the tuba and euphonium by generating an audience which will recognize and support these instruments in solo and ensemble recitals and concerts.
Pay respect and tribute to the late William J. Bell (born Christmas Day 1902 in Creston, Iowa), and through him, to honor other tuba/euphonium artists/teachers who have contributed to our musical heritage.
Honor and acknowledge American composer Alec Wilder (died on Christmas Eve 1980) for his compositions and for arranging CAROLS FOR A MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS, and through him pay respects to all composers who have contributed to the repertoire of the tuba and euphonium.
Celebrate the Season and have a might good time!!

TUBACHRISTMAS^® concerts are sponsored by and presented with the permission of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.

des moines orginizational team

Christian Carichner Conductor
Christian Carichner serves as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Cyclone Marching Band at Iowa State University. He oversees all aspects of the Athletic Band program including the 350-member Iowa State University Cyclone Football ‘Varsity’ Marching Band, Men’s and Women’s Basketball bands, Volleyball Band, Wrestling Band and State Storm. In addition to his athletic band duties, Christian also teaches the Marching Band Methods course and instructs the applied Tuba and Euphonium studios. Previously, Christian served as Assistant Director of Bands at ISU in addition to instruction of the low brass studios, teaching low brass methods, and directing both the Concert and Campus bands.

While serving as director of the Cyclone Marching Band, the band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy – the highest honor bestowed upon a collegiate marching band in the United States.
Christian attended Ithaca College where he earned degrees in music education and performance while studying tuba with Dave Unland and brass pedagogy with Alex Shuhan, as well as conducting studies with Stephen Peterson, Jeffery Grogan and Janet Galvan. After Ithaca, Christian earned a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Arizona State University where he studied with acclaimed Tubist and pedagogue Sam Pilafian. Christian also studied tuba with Patrick Sheridan, Charles Villarrubia and Matt Good.

Christian has performed or taught in 47 states and 12 different countries across the globe. Recently, he was a clinician/presenter at The Midwest Clinic, the CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium and a performer/clinician at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference.

Christian has also performed with the Arizona Musicfest Orchestra, the Tampa Tradewinds, the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Conway Symphony, Pinnacle Brass, Rhythm and Brass, Proteus 7, Salt River Brass and has performed with the national tour of the hit Broadway musical Chicago.

Christian served for many years as Brass Caption Head for the Phantom Regiment and The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as a lead brass instructor for the Aimachi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan. Currently, he is in demand as a guest clinician, judge and show designer/arranger.

Christian is a member of CBDNA, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi and the International Tuba Euphonium Association. He is an honorary member of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Christian is also the first marching brass artist for Pearl/Adams where he consults on the design of their marching brass instruments and is also an Adams Custom Brass artist.
Brian Kinnan Event Coordinator
Brian Kinnan is the Director of Information Technology at Data Power Technology Group in Urbandale. He can be seen and heard playing tuba in the Des Moines Community Orchestra and Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, where he also serves as board member, marketing designer, and webmaster. Brian has been coordinator for the Des Moines Area TUBACHRISTMAS since 2006.