How can a Heavy Metal Band play acoustically? When that band is composed of Tubas-lots of them!

TUBACHRISTMAS is coming to Downtown Ventura for the first time on December 2, 2007 at the Holiday Street Fair.

TUBACHRISTMAS®, an amazing musical experience and a wonderful event for the whole family, is coordinated and sanctioned by the Harvey Philips Foundation which is dedicated to bringing about better appreciation of the Tuba family of instruments and to illustrate the beauty of the "tuba choir" to public audiences. The foundation, created in 1973 by renowned Tubist Harvey Philips, also provides scholarships to dedicated musicians.

This event cannot happen without you! We welcome the curious and the skeptical and fans of all ages. As a listener you'll enjoy the rich, mellow sounds of a 4-part Tuba choir. As a Tuba playing enthusiast, you'll enjoy music written for your instrument and the knowledge that you will be among fellow "heavy metal" enthusiasts.

You may think, "But I have no time to rehearse with a band this fall." Ahhh, that is no excuse! There is only one rehearsal and that is on the day of the event. Ken Hoffman, (previous director of the Buena Music Department, and currently the music director at El Camino High in West Hills) has graciously agreed to conduct this year's concert. To allow our TUBACHRISTMAS musicians to go to any TUBACHRISTMAS event, each TUBACHRISTMAS concert features music from the same arrangements compiled in the official booklet, "Carols for a Merry TUBACHRISTMAS" (available locally or from the Harvey Philips Foundation website). So when Ken shouts, "four", everyone will be taking 'note' of the Merry Gentlemen who have nothing to dismay. Also included in Ventura's performance will be "Tuba Hanukah".

TUBACHRISTMAS performances are held internationally throughout the holiday season. Part of the fun is to see musicians arrive from down the street and from across the country. Some Tuba folks even challenge themselves to see how many events they can get to each year. Ventura's event coordinator, Tim Hansen, made it to four TUBACHRISTMAS concerts last year, including Santa Barbara, Glendale, Anaheim and Riverside. His then 9 year old son, Franklin, proudly accompanied him to three of these events on his euphonium (a "baby" tuba), while his older son Nathan made it to two.

Be part of a first! Join us in Ventura for a wonderfully mellow heavy metal Tuba event.

Check out the official TUBACHRISTMAS® website at www.tubachristmas.com and follow the TUBACHRISTMAS Events link to find California's listings which now include Ventura.