Department of Music News

WKU’s Department of Music is adding a new sound to its holiday concerts with Bowling Green TubaChristmas.

Professor David Humphreys and the WKU Tuba/Euphonium Studio will present the free concert from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at Greenwood Mall’s JC Penney courtyard.

“We invite everyone to come enjoy some holiday spirit with a different sound,” Humphreys said.

Humphreys, who came to WKU from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has participated in TubaChristmas in several cities and is excited to serve as conductor for Bowling Green’s first TubaChristmas.

Merry TubaChristmas, created by Harvey Phillips, is celebrating its 48^th anniversary in 2021 and will be presented in more than 300 cities in the United States and several other countries.

“We hope to establish a new tradition in Bowling Green,” Humphreys said.

The concert will feature holiday favorites Adeste Fidelis, Deck the Halls, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman, The First Noel, Good King Wenceslas, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Silent Night, Joy to the World, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Carol of the Bells and Jingle Bells.

“We invite community members to come out and sing along. It should be a pretty fun evening,” he said.

Guest conductors include Dr. Terrance Brown, Dean of Potter College of Arts & Letters; Dr. Gary Schallert, WKU Director of Bands; and Joe Stites, former WKU tuba/euphonium professor.

Humphreys said all low brass players (tuba, euphonium and even trombone) are welcome to participate on Dec. 12. Registration will begin at noon at the WKU Music Hall lobby followed by rehearsal at 1 p.m. at Music Hall, room 103. Registration is $10. Details are available online at visit https://www.wku.edu/tubaeuph/bgtubachristmas/

Participants will be eligible for five prizes – best dressed, most festive instrument, farthest distance traveled, youngest participant and oldest participant. WKU will provide chairs and music stands. Carols for a Merry TubaChristmas will be available for $20 and $25.

Other WKU holiday concerts include Holidays on the Hill, featuring the WKU Symphony, WKU Symphonic Band and Southern Kentucky Choral Society, at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3) at Van Meter Hall and Winterfest: A Choral Celebration at 8 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 4) at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4754 Smallhouse Road.

About 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. Every TubaChristmas performance features traditional Christmas carols especially arranged for the first TubaChristmas in 1974 by American composer Alec Wilder, who died on Christmas Eve, 1980. TubaChristmas is a presentation of the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc. Learn more at www.tubachristmas.com

Contact: Music Department, (270) 745-3751

-WKU-

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.