🎺🎄 Tubas Take Over the Palmer House! A TubaChristmas Concert! 🎅🎺
Details
🎺🎄 Tubas Take Over the Palmer House! A TubaChristmas Concert! 🎅🎺
Brass, Bows & Ballroom Cheer: TubaChristmas Chicago (Annual Event!)
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTE: MEET TIME IS 8:00 AM! 🚨
The venue fills up FAST. If we want to sit in the main ballroom to watch 300+ tubas live, we must arrive early — otherwise we’ll end up in the auxiliary room.
You’re welcome to come later, but you will probably not be able to sit with the group, as they are very strict with lines and seating. Once main room reaches capacity, they seat the overflow in the auxiliary room
What’s it like to hear more than 300 tubas playing holiday music in the Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton?
“It’s like a warm hug.”
Join us for a long-standing Chicago holiday tradition where musicians from all over Chicagoland come together for one unforgettable concert! Last year, we experienced the whole thing — but learned we need to arrive early to get the best seats! 🎄✨
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## 🎼 Tentative Itinerary
8:00 AM – Meet at the Palmer House lobby bar. Grab coffee/snacks from the hotel café.
8:05 AM – Head to the 3rd-floor Grand Ballroom to secure great seats.
9:00 AM – Venue begins giving out assigned-seat tickets for the TubaChristmas concert.
9:05 AM – 11:00 AM – Grab breakfast nearby (or relax in the lobby with the early group).
11:00 AM – Return upstairs as doors open; attendees will be seated according to assigned tickets.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – TubaChristmas Concert featuring 300+ performers from the tuba family.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Optional: Post-concert drinks in the beautiful hotel lobby bar.
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## 🎶 About TubaChristmas
Now in its 51st year, TubaChristmas will be conducted by Michael Colburn, former director of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. Performers range from age 10 to 87 — and they rehearse together for only one hour before the show!
This worldwide event celebrates musicians who play, teach, and compose for the tuba family, including:
• tuba
• sousaphone
• baritone
• euphonium
• plus rare gems like the helicon, serpent, ophicleide, and double-bell euphonium
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## 🌟 A Little History
The first TubaChristmas was held in 1974, created by Harvey G. Phillips to honor his teacher, William Bell, who was born on Christmas Day. The inaugural performance took place on the Rockefeller Center ice rink — only after Phillips convinced them by offering references like Leonard Bernstein and Leopold Stokowski!
Today, TubaChristmas concerts are performed in over 300 cities worldwide, ranging from small quartets to massive ensembles.
More info:
🔗 https://tubachristmas.com/
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## 🚇 Transportation Tips
Parking in the Loop can be extremely challenging.
Highly recommended:
• CTA (train or bus)
• Metra
• SpotHero or ParkWhiz for better parking rates
CTA Trip Planner:
🔗 https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
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## ❗ No-Show Policy (Please Read!)
• Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month suspension
• Cut-off to update your RSVP = event start time
• If you arrive late, message the host directly
• Not checking in with the host at walks/tours/festival events counts as a no-show
• Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the group