Merry TubaChristmas returned to the front yard of US Bank, Jefferson Ave., at Washington St. in downtown Naperville on the first Saturday of December. Hosted by the Naperville Municipal Band, the holiday song fest with the big brass sound welcomed euphonium/baritone players, Sousaphone players and tuba players of all ages.
Seventy-five musicians performed in the TubaChristmas Concert for an appreciative audience that filled the front yard at US Bank Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. The annual holiday event featuring big brass instruments, including tubas, sousaphones, baritones and euphoniums, is organized and led by Naperville Municipal Band Conductor Ron Keller.
First-time performers Emily Lesniak and Linnae Ellis, both age 11 and from Aurora, played baritones during the TubaChristmas under the leadership of Naperville Municipal Band Director Ron Keller. (55, 93, 111, 218) 
Aurora resident David Lesniak, Plainfield East Band Director, who usually plays French horn, performed on the baritone for TubaChristmas.
Since 1994, Lombard resident Jesse Marzell has played his baritone in TubaChristmas concerts at various locations in the U.S. With commemorative buttons to prove it, Marzell noted he has flown to play in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Closer to home, he’s traveled to downtown Chicago, Barrington, West Dundee and Naperville to participate in the annual holiday concert that celebrates individuals who play, teach, and compose music for the tuba family of instruments (tubas, sousaphones, baritones and euphoniums, etc.).
Back to perform for the third time, Naperville residents Eric Pfeiffer and son Tim Pfeiffer played their big brass instruments in Saturday’s TubaChristmas in front of US Bank in downtown Naperville.
After the performance outdoors where the temperature was 39 degrees, musicians went to the Fox Valley Mall where they repeated Merry TubaChristmas indoors near Macy’s. Same time next year!
FYI / TubaChristmas since 1974
TubaChristmas, first performed on Dec. 22, 1974, in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza, was created by the late Harvey Phillips of Bloomington, Ind., as a tribute to honor his teacher, William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day 1902.
And ever since, TubaChristmas has been performed as an annual event to the delight of audiences around the world who enjoy traditional Christmas carols and holiday tunes that are enhanced by the warm, rich sounds of the tuba-euphonium choir.
FYI II / NMB Holiday Concert is set for 3PM Sun., Dec. 8, at NVHS
With all sections of the The Naperville Municipal Band, 90 musicians will perform their annual Holiday Concert beginning at 3PM Sun., Dec. 8, at Neuqua Valley High School on 95th Street. The “no-tickets-needed” concert is open to the community and free of admission charge. ‘Tis the season to enjoy the presence of music!
Note also, the charity in the spotlight will be Loaves & Fishes Community Service. Donations of nonperishables will be collected. Items most needed right now are tomato products (chopped, stewed and whole tomatoes), regular and instant oatmeal, Progresso soup and paper products. Thanks!
