The sound of Christmas in Victoria began Saturday with the rumble of bass in Market Square.
More than 100 musicians playing tubas and euphoniums marked the 40th anniversary of Tuba Christmas.
“I just love the sound of tubas,” said Jane Jolley, who brought grandson Ayden to his first tuba concert. “I mean, that sound is gorgeous.”
Among the musicians was physician Alastair Teale, a former Belmont Secondary music student.
“There’s nothing quite like hearing more than 100 tubas and euphoniums playing together. It’s really a unique sound and I like being a part of it,” Teale said.
“I played at Vancouver’s Tuba Christmas one year and they had 20 or 30 musicians. You don’t get the same oomph you do here. It’s pretty great.”
Victoria’s Tuba Christmas was founded by the late Eugene Dowling, who was principal tubist for the Victoria Symphony and taught at the University of Victoria for more than 30 years. The event is a fundraiser for the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, which assists families and individuals in need.
“It’s a wonderful Victoria tradition,” said retired music teacher Tom White. “When old friends, old music teachers get together and make music and raise some money for a good cause, it’s officially the Christmas season.”
White likes the multi-generational aspect of the concert. On Saturday, the youngest tuba player was 11 and the two oldest players were 79.
“It’s always fun,” said retired Royal Oak Middle School music teacher Sheri Robertson. “It’s great to see the number of kids from local schools this year. It’s probably the biggest turnout we’ve had in a long time.”
Thirteen-year-old Colquitz Middle School students Ella Jeffrey and Sara Jessa were having a blast puffing out the familiar Christmas carols.
“It’s really fun,” Ella said.
“This is our first Tuba Christmas,” Sara added. “We’re trumpet players normally. But the teacher asked us to play the euphonium for this. We’re really glad that we did this.”
Market Square was overflowing. People lined the stairs and crammed the balconies on all three storeys of the complex. The tubas and euphoniums were adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations.
There were babes in arms, dogs on leashes. And there was Carol and Rick Lester in the front row on their lounge lizards.
“It is just a lot of fun and very much in the Christmas spirit and it’s free — although we put a little money in the tuba,” Carol Lester said.
“We really appreciate it.”
Dennis Latham, 78, has played at all 40 of Victoria’s Tuba Christmas events.
“I practise every day because I get enjoyment from doing something well. This was a hobby for me, but it’s a good hobby,” said the former lawyer. “I enjoy all the people I meet and I was good friends with Eugene Dowling.”
Scott Lowes, with 15-month-old son Vincent in his arms, was enjoying his first Tuba Christmas. “Our friends invited us to come down and listen to some good music. It’s pretty good. We’re probably going to make it more of a tradition.”
To donate to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund
• Go to our Canada Helps page at timescolonist.com/donate. The website is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
• Mail a cheque, payable to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund Society, to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria V8T 4M2.
• Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be recorded.
